I’ve been writing about museums a lot lately it seems… but I
can’t help posting about one more. What I love about Paris is the fact that
even after living here for years, I still make new discoveries. My most recent
is the Musee Jacquemart-Andre.
As you walk along the boulevard, you can easily pass it,
thinking it is “just” another historic building… but it is more than that. It
was once someone’s home. Yes, one couple actually lived in that palatial
structure. Now that immediately gets my attention!
The museum was the residence of art collectors Edouard Andre
and Nelie Jacquemart in the late 1880s. The art collection is impressive, but
what I like the most is the opportunity to get a glimpse of life back then… to
see the couple’s various sitting rooms and private apartments. I felt as if I
could close my eyes, forget about the noise of other visitors and imagine what
it would be like to live (and host parties) in such a place!
The masterpiece is truly the winter garden and magnificent double staircase. A photo with lots of visitors wandering up and down the steps just wouldn’t do it justice so if you would like to see how lovely the staircase is, please click here.
Here are a couple of photos (taken at odd angles to avoid crowds!)... In the first, you can just glimpse the double staircase in the background.
Now, I sit down with my city map… What will be my next discovery
in Paris?
This museum looks absolutely gorgeous. I live in Italy, but I miss the decor of France. Found you via Small Victories Sunday (but your post made me too sad to comment). Are you on bloglovin'?
ReplyDeleteThanks for stopping by (and for reading my Mother's Day post too.) I'm glad you also enjoyed this museum post... there is indeed a lot of beauty in France. And in Italy too! I'm not on bloglovin but will have to check into it.
DeleteNow that is one fine staircase. It's wondefful to make these discoveries, particularly of slightly lesser known sites, where you can feel some satisfaction of having the place slightly more to yourself. I say that with great feeling, having just returned from Florence, where the Uffizi Gallwey was only slightly less crowded than a Cup Final in football and a bit of a scrum.
ReplyDeleteHa, ha! Florence is beautiful... and you are so right about the crowds making things a bit less enjoyable. It is nice to visit a beautiful museum when you have it to yourself!
ReplyDeleteGoodness me, I must have been tired when I wrote my comment. Typo central!
ReplyDeleteThe same thing happens to me! The silly mistakes of fatigue, I know them too well :)
DeleteOh wow, that's beautiful!
ReplyDeleteYes, wish I had it in my apartment!! :)
ReplyDeleteWe were so close during our visit -- it was on our "plan" but the best-laid plans go astray. We never made it there, but it is at the top of the return-trip list. This is just gorgeous. I can see why it's the loveliest!
ReplyDeleteThis gives you a great reason to plan another trip to Paris!
Delete