Originally Posted by
skywalkerbeth
Heading over in one week for the last weekend of Monet. Plan to buy the Sesame Card to get in without waiting.
I plan to hit the Soldes, visit a few macaron emporiums (Gerard Mulot for instance), head to the Passages and maybe Les Halles... and at least one other exhibit.
Other than the Marmottan exhibit (which I did visit 6 yrs ago, but I think they have one going on to rival the Grand Palais right now?), which would you recommend? I am bummed to have missed Bulgari.
Other favored foodie finds would be appreciated as well.
Great plan! The Monet expo is a real once in a generation event. Here are two worthwhile write-ups on it. First, Michael Kimmelman's review in the NY Times:
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/10/05/ar...0review&st=cse
Kimmelman's writing is just magnificent, bringing in Proust and all.
The other review is on the website Paris Update:
http://www.paris-update.com/fr/index...ions&Itemid=54
The art critic on Paris Update, Heidi Ellison, is an excellent art writer and I have gained a lot of insight reading her reviews. Note that she also has reviewed the Marmottan Monet exhibit and another one I mention below.
The Marmottan expo is very worthwhile-they've cleared out almost all of the museum for the Monet works, and there are over 100 paintings included. I would plan your time to see the Marmottan expo first, as the one at the Grand Palais has more significant paintings and to see it first might leave you a little disappointed at Marmottan. I don't think the Sesame card covers the Marmottan and while we walked right in a few months ago, there may well be lines, especially since a lot of people will not get into the Grand Palais.
Getting the Carte Sesame was a brilliant move, and about the only way I know of to still get into the Grand Palais Monet expo without waiting hours. Be sure you get in the line for Carte Sesame-in November it was all the way on the left side as you face the Grand Palais north entrance. Be aware that you may still have a wait, though it should not be more than 15 minutes. I would allow 45 minutes or so to get into the building and go through the (often long) wait to stash your coat. We spent about 2.5 hours going thru the expo itself, and we found the audio guide useful.
Be aware that they do not allow you to backtrack in the expo, which I like to do to contrast works I saw over an hour ago. However, I think with the Carte Sesame you can just go back to the start of the expo and walk thru again, as long as you don't leave the building.
As for other expos, you might consider the Rubens, Poussin expo at the Musee Jacquemart-see Heidi Ellison's review on the Paris Update website.
For food, I recommend L'Entetee, a small restaurant near the rue Daguerre food street in the 14th. It has a limited menu but I have never had anything other than great food there. The young chef/owner is a true artist and I hope when I have 30 minutes to live, someone will bring me a last bowl of one of her soups. No website but she (and a menu) are on my space:
http://www.myspace.com/entetee
Have a great trip.