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Pierre
de Wissant |
When
you go to the Rodin museum in Paris it is to see Auguste Rodin's
fantastic sculpture and probably not to see the roses. The roses are
the bonus.
The
Hotel Biron
Located
not far from the Invalides the history of the Rodin Museum dates
from 1728, when Abraham Peyrenc de Moras, a rich financier, dreamt of
building 'the finest town house in Paris'. The plans for this mansion
in the pure 'rocaille' style, were drawn by Jean Aubert.
In
1732,the Peyrenc family converted it into an elegant residence where
numerous fashionable gatherings were held. From 1737 to 1753, the
mansion was rented to the Duchesse du Maine, then sold to the Duc de
Biron, who occupied it until 1788, and whose name it bore henceforth.
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During
the Directoire period, the property came into the possession of the
Bethune Charost family, who rented it to organisers of public balls.
During the Consulate and the Empire periods, the occupants were
dignitaries such as the papal legate or the Russian ambassador.
In
1820, the Duchesse de Charost sold the property to a religious order
: the Compagnie des Dames du Sacre Coeur. This order was disbanded in
1904 by the French government.
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The
Hotel Biron, north facade,
and
the Dome of the Invalides |
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Jeune
fille aux roses - Rodin - 1916. |
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Immediately
afterwards, the lodgings that had been hastily built on the property
became residences for artists. These artists such as Isodora Duncan,
Cocteau, Matisse, Rilke, made this property their workshops.
Rodin
was then at the height of his career, and when Rilke bought the
property to his notice, he saved it from demolition. |
In
1911, the French government bought the mansion. At the time, public
opinion favoured creating a "Rodin Museum".
In
1916 Rodin agreed to donate all his collection to the State and in
1919, two years after his death, the museum opened.
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A
pink climber behind one of Rodin's sculpture |
The
gardens
The
setting of the garden is a beautiful and an extraordinary
enclosure of vegetation located in the very heart of Paris. It is
hidden behind high walls and everyone is surprised and moved by this
romantic park.
From
rows of trees emerge Rodin's sculptures.
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The
Thinker |
In
1993 the garden was restructured and now includes a good collection
of roses, mostly old garden roses from the Pepinieres
Bernard Bourreau near Paris. The garden and the sculptures
create an unforgettable experience.
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"Aimee Vibert" growing on the south wall
of
the
temporary
exhibition center |
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A
Moss rose, along the main alley |
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Looking
trough the roses to the 'Gates of Hell'. |
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'Anne-Marie
de Montravel' growing next to the step,
on
the side of the Hotel Biron |
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Roses
beds and, in the background, the
Dome
church,
which
contains Napoleon's tomb |
To
get there :
77
Rue de Varenne - 75007 Paris
Ph
: +33 01 44 18 61 10
The
Musee Rodin is open everyday except Mondays.
Access
:
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The
Thinker surrounded by rose beds |
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Louise
Odier, growing in pots around a fontain. |
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