Hi everyone and welcome back to our second Museum Monday post!
For those in the United States, I hope you had a relaxing 4th of July and are ready for the week. In case you missed the first post of this ongoing educational series, on the Louvre, check it out here.
I want to highlight the Museé de Montmartre for my museum pick this week. This charming museum is located in the 18th arrondissement, or administrative district of Paris. The area of Montmartre has a distinct bohemian and village-like feel and is a popular tourist destination. The area of Montmartre is home to the Place du Tertre, Moulin Rouge, and Sacré-Coeur Basilica.
Housed in a 17th century manor house, the Museum of Montmartre is located a few streets from Sacré-Coeur in a picturesque area nestled between gardens and overlooking Montmartre’s very own vineyard. Before the museum was installed in 1961, it was an important artistic hub and home. Artists such as Pierre-Auguste Renoir, Suzanne Valadon, Emile Bernard, Emile-Othan Friesz, Raoul Dufy, and Maurice Utrillo all had studios here at one point or another. Not only can you walk through this magnificent house, but you can feel the artistic spirit running through the walls.
The Museum’s collections tell the story of this enchanting neighborhood. With works from Modigliani, Kupka, Max Jacob, Steinlen, and Toulouse-Lautrec among others you get a sense of the carefree atmosphere of the time. As you admire the various artists’ works, you are reliving a time of bohemian history and the famous cabarets through various paintings, drawings, posters, and antique photographs.
As mentioned before, the Montmartre Museum is cushioned between two gardens. The museum’s gardens were redone in 2012 to capture the true essence of two of Renoir’s paintings. The well-known Bal du Moulin de la Galette and La Balançoire were made during his stay in the house. I must say the gardens are peaceful and offer exceptional views of Montmartre’s very own vineyard and of the City of Light beyond. The area of Montmartre is the perfect place to visit on an educational student tour. It offers magnificent views of Paris below, fun and lively entertainment, great shopping and restaurants, and you can even watch painters at work. The steep streets make for an enchanting stroll as your student tour comes to end where you can reflect back on all the wonderful memories.
One should not miss Montmartre, and the wonderful museum that calls it home!
Have you visited Paris? What about on an educational tour? What are some of your favorite museums that can be found in this great city? Leave your responses in the comments as I’d love to hear from you!
Until next time,
Kate