Saturday 20 July 2013

Le Petit Palais

Le Petit Palais was another unexpected delight on my current Paris trip. Much like our visit to Tour Saint Jacques. I knew the builiding was there, I'd been past it many times over three visits to Paris, but really I had no idea what was inside. After a long walk the other day, we still had half an hour or so before meeting up with friends from Australia.

It's only Petit when you compare it
to the Grand Palais across the road

So, after checking out the outside

the coloured columns are a recent addition


we popped inside through the magnificent gold doors to check out the foyer. Figuring it would be lovely to look at.

of course it was




Then we discovered that Le Petit Palais is actually Paris's Museum of Fine Arts (Musee des Beaux-Arts de la Ville de Paris), and that entry to the permanent collections is free.


Actually, museums run by the city of Paris have free admission, and they're amazing. Check out Paris's free museum options here. I've visited a few this trip, but there are still many more to see. There's always a brochure display about other free attractions.

So we were in for a rather lightning visit. They have an amazing permanent collection


Hard to see in my photo
but that elegant lady is taking a monkey for a walk


Bacchante, Auguste Clesinger, 1848

Beautiful panelled rooms filled with 18th century treasures

Not all the objects are traditionally beautiful

I always love displays like this,
like the artist just stepped out 

As with all these places the building itself is beautiful
The commentary on the walls is in French. There was an audioguide available in English, and laminated sheets in most rooms about certain exhibits in English, and other languages.


On this visit we only had time really to walk rather quickly through the rooms (there's two floors of permanent collection). Already I want to go back for the audio tour (5 euros). I expect that will have to be on my next holiday to Paris, the list for that is growing as I run out of time on this trip.

Le Petit Palais
Avenue Winston Churchill
75008 Paris

Open Tuesday to Sunday 10am-6pm
Late opening until 8pm on Thursday for temporary exhibitions.


Paris in July a glorious celebration from all things Parisian from Bookbath and Thyme for Tea

Saturday Snapshot is a wonderful weekly meme now hosted by WestMetroMommy

21 comments:

skiourophile said...

It has a wonderful courtyard where the weary traveller can rest her feet and have a Mariage Frères cup of tea too. Lovely!

Brona said...

Wow! Wow! Wow!
I particularly loved the curving staircase with the gorgeous lacework balustrade.

Unknown said...

What an amazing place! Not sure about the colored columns,though...

Laurel-Rain Snow said...

So lovely! I especially adore those colored columns.

Here's
MY SATURDAY SNAPSHOT POST

(Diane) Bibliophile By the Sea said...

The colors and architecture is wonderful.

Deb Nance at Readerbuzz said...

Even small things are lovely in Paris, I think. You could probably visit a lavatory in Paris and take photos and be able to write a whole piece about the amazing-ness of the Paris lavatory.

Susan said...

What a wonderful vicarious tour you're providing. But I want to go there myself!

Jackie McGuinness said...

Gorgeous! Will have to visit on next trip.

Anonymous said...

Those colored pillars look like giant crayons. Very cool post... love all the photos. And, although I shouldn't be surprised, it's still interesting to know there's an Avenue Winston Churchill in Paris.

Elizabeth said...

Beautiful.

THANKS for sharing.

Elizabeth
Silver's Reviews
My Saturday Snapshot

Sheila (Bookjourney) said...

What great pics - I love the colored pillars and the woman with the monkey.

westmetromommy said...

I've never heard of Le Petit Palais! If I ever make it back to Paris, I'll have to check it out!

Irene said...

Looks wonderful, I hope you get back, and thank you for sharing this with me. I fear I shall not get to Paris. So thank you for sharing. I'd have to hit all the museums. My travel mates would probably not like that.

Juli D. Revezzo said...

Lovely pictures! What a great place for a vacation.:) Thanks for sharing! Here's my Saturday Snapshot if you'd like to see.

bermudaonion said...

Gorgeous but I'm not sure I like the colored columns.

Paulita said...

The building alone is amazing. To find art within is even better. Isn't it fabulous to discover something new? Here's Mine

Susan Lindquist said...

Green-eyed! I love art museums - poking around in the different galleries is my idea of a perfect afternoon's activity!

Joy said...

Beautiful! We saw the outside, and even rested on a bench there for a few minutes, but we didn't make it indoors.

Joy's Book Blog

Sim Carter said...

Really loving your photos and tales Louise! That staircase is worthy of a really grand movie entrance. Btw, I know you're away but I've nominated you for a Liebster Award - it's a kind of internet hug thing. Check out my post to see how it works. A bit of a lark -
http://www.chapter1-take1.blogspot.com/

Jeanie said...

This is a spot I didn't visit in Paris and I have added it to the "next time" list. Your photos are absolutely beautiful!

Marg said...

My list of places to visit in Paris continues to grow and I am not likely to get there for years yet!