Non, pas Le Pen!

I have chosen to be quite public with my views on our recent election here in the US, and don't apologize. Today, I make my feelings known regarding the current elections in France. I hope and pray that the French will learn from our mistakes here, and make the right choice in the next election in two weeks.

Un moment zen

Perhaps he was channeling M. Rodin, or perhaps his feet hurt.

The Call of Arms

The Call of Arms

Musée Rodin

70 rue de Varenne

75007 Paris

Metro: Varenne or Invalides

La Porte de l'Enfer

Summer at the Musée Rodin is breathtaking.  In the distance through the Rose Garden, La Porte de l'Enfer.

This is one of my favorite museums in Paris.

Musée Rodin - la fenêtre

On a cold, rainy Sunday in Paris, the Musée Rodin proved to be the perfect place.

Musée Rodin
79 rue de Varenne
75007 Paris
Métro: Varenne ou Invalides


Anita's Paris Party is still in full swing. Hop on over to her blog and see all of the blog offerings from around the world!

This Is How It All Started

As most of you know by now, I fell in love with Paris in March, 2007.  Daughter Melissa, who was already in love, took granddaughter Eva and me for a week in Paris that changed my life.  Photographing the City of Light was the start of what has become a "magnificent obsession."  In November 2008, I returned to Paris with my friend Karen.  After that trip, my blog friends encouraged me to start another blog so I could share my Paris photographs. Today marks the the third anniversary of Paris Through My Lens. I have posted almost daily since and often blogged from Paris while there.  Nothing pleases me more than sharing my memories and my photographs with all of you who love Paris as much as I do.  Here's to many more trips, photographs, and memories shared!!

And what is a birthday party without presents ??? To celebrate this occasion, I have un petit cadeau pour toi. Actually I have deux, one for my faithful followers in the US /Canada and another for those that live on the rest of the planet.  Leave me a comment and please add your whereabouts and your name that will go in the hat for the drawings on Tuesday.  Bon chance! :)

Trois Chaises

Musée Rodin

Je Préfère le Musée Rodin

One of the things I love most about this blog is that often I receive personal emails from readers.  Many times they are headed off to Paris for a few days or longer and ask me to recommend places I especially love.  I'm very flattered that anyone would ask my opinion,  as I feel I'm still scratching the surface in Paris myself.  That said, I always suggest the Musée Rodin.  What an exquisite, small, intimate museum this is and one than can be done,  regardless of the time you have in Paris. I just love the parquet floors that squeak when you walk across them and the gorgeous old mirrors and chandeliers and the old shuttered windows that open to the manicured gardens below.  The works of Rodin and Claudel are showcased so beautifully here. In addition, you will find the work of other artists that were in Rodin's private collection.  Don't miss it in summer or winter.

Musée Rodin en Juin

The gardens surrounding the lovely Musée Rodin are just spectacular in the summer. Formerly the Hôtel Biron, a small museum that is one of my very favorites in Paris.

In a Quiet Room

For me, part of the charm of the Musée de Rodin is its grand setting in the former Hôtel Biron. I love the old wood floors, antique chandeliers, aged mirrors and the beautiful shuttered windows with views of the gardens. I found this quiet spot on a cold and rainy afternoon in November, 2008.

Oh my goodness. My chère amie Shell Sherree has done it once again. She has taken this photo at Père Lachaise and turned it into this lovely work of art. I am so touched that she has chosen another of my photographs to illustrate in her own special way. My dear Shell, I have no words.

Patiently Waiting

I spotted this gentleman ( a younger Paul Newman?) at the Musée Rodin last summer. He was waiting outside a special exhibit that we did not see. The photograph on the wall was enough!

Shadowed

The Musée Rodin not only has a fine collection of Auguste Rodin's sculpture, but also features some lovely work by Camille Claudel, his student, the model for many of his pieces, and his lover. Many will argue that her talent rivaled Rodin's. From the source that I used, I will attribute this piece to her. If anyone has evidence to the contrary, please let me know. It would be interesting to know if this is a model or an unfinished piece. Perhaps one of you, dear readers with more patience for Google than I, will enlighten us! I liked the afternoon shadows on her face.

If you are visiting Paris and want a museum recommendation, this is one of my most favorites. It's a small, intimate museum in the former Hôtel Biron. The grounds are lovely as well. In fine weather, you can have a nice lunch at the cafe on the grounds. Search this blog for other posts- there are many!

Musée Rodin, Another Look

Well you know how I feel about the Musée Rodin in Paris. I've posted many, many photos from here. I never tire of it. Today, my Eva and a young man that she and I thought was pretty funny. Channeling Rodin perhaps?

The Musée Rodin

We were thrilled that Eva remembered this lovely piece from her first visit to Paris in 2007!

The Musée Rodin is probably one of my favorite museums in Paris. Today was my third visit, and I enjoyed it just as much as I have previously. The weather was perfect, and we had a little excitement to start our visit. We were able to observe our first "Parisian protest"!! ( It's amazing that it took 3 visits to find one!) We have no idea what they were all hot and bothered about, but they were orderly, LOUD, and tied up a number of tour buses for a while. The police showed up in force and it appeared ( to us anyway) that was it was very well organized and managed. They moved down the street in a while so the traffic could move again and did their thing right outside of the museum entrance. We waded through it all and were relieved to get inside! When we left several hours later, everyone had magically vanished. Maybe some of my Parisian experts can tell us what happened.

I 've posted a lot of photos previously here and here about this small but elegant museum. This time we were able to have a nice lunch at the cafe adjoining the museum. We also learned that there are sandboxes etc for children!

UPDATE: I hear from a well connected viewer that President Obama is in town! Maybe we'll get together while he's here!

UPDATE II: Peter, our resident Paris expert, tells me the protest had something to do with the farmers and milk prices. Case closed.

Another Table/Chair and Shadow Series all rolled into one.



Number 9-10 - 100 French Strangers Challenge
(How cute are they!!!)


Yakety Yak, Don't Talk Back!

The Paris PD had it all under control!!!!

Musée Rodin

This photo taken in March, 2007 shows the lovely facade on a fine day.

Trying to capture the reflections in the antique mirrors without the photographer proved impossible.

The chandeliers and antique mirrors are a beautiful backdrop 

for the sculpture and paintings.

"If Mumsie's here, who's taking our picture ????"

"Just Hanging Out With the Guys"

( Ummm, yes.  This museum led to a very interesting "anatomy" conversation later!)

Housed in the stunning 250 year old Hôtel Biron, the Musée Rodin is probably one of my favorite museums in Paris.  The lovely surroundings allow the viewer an intimate look at some of Rodin's exquisite works of art. In addition there are wonderful paintings and sculpture from other well known artists as well. Because we visited on an especially cold and rainy day, a stroll throught the manicured gardens was out of the question. I have included a few photos from my trip in 2007 so that you can see how nice it can be on a sunny day!

01.04.09

" Oh,  I Loved the Gorgeous Balconies !"

"Newspaper Salesman Extraordinaire"

" Rainy Day at  Musée Rodin"

12.30.08

Our dear Louisa who served us petit déjeuner every morning.

" Gathering Storm"

"La Porte"

Musée Carnavalet

12.18.08

"la Seine"

"Monsieur chez le Rodin"

"Lighting a Candle"

"Column Detail"

Musee Carnavalet

12.16.08

"Points"

Musee du Louvre

" Cine' 13 Theatre"

Montmartre

" Parisian Takeout"

le Marais

"Diamonds"

Musee Rodin

FRIDAY'S COMING ATTRACTION!!

Guest blogger Peter of Peter's Paris will share some of his night photos right here!!!