Category Archives: Art in Paris

Student Profile: Valentin, MA in History and Philosophy of Art

What attracted you most about studying at the Paris School of Arts and Culture?

Thinking back to well over a year ago when I was sifting through master’s degrees online, my criteria were so specific that I had little hopes of fulfilling all of them…What I think settled it for me was the location; since taking the opportunity to visit Reid Hall last summer, I never looked back. Rarely had I looked forward to commuting to school/uni/work before, but knowing that classes are held in a picturesque old porcelain factory around the corner from the Jardin du Luxembourg definitely gets me excited enough to catch my metro in time (almost) every morning.

What is the relation (if any) between your undergraduate studies and your current MA programme?

Before coming to Paris, I got a BA in Philosophy & Economics. That might not necessarily be the most closely related field, but I always managed to incorporate my art-related interests into my research – so although I do not possess the broad art-historic knowledge of many of my classmates (yet), I get along just fine considering some subjects from a media-economic or epistemological perspective. My experience here has been that as long as you are passionate about a topic, you will be able to thoroughly explore it regardless of your prior education; beyond open discussions in seminars, the professors and Parisian institutions provide practically unlimited resources. I would say that interdisciplinarity is something that was especially enabled by both my under- and postgraduate studies: if philosophy and economics can be fruitfully related, the same goes for any two themes in this MA program (in my case, art history and film history).

What was your favourite module?

Now this is a tough choice. Both in Modern Art in Paris and Film and Modernity, we got treated to quite a few inspiring excursions (such as exhibitions at the Centre Pompidou, Musée d’Orsay, Petit Palais, Fondation Jérôme Seydoux-Pathé, Musée Albert Kahn), were assigned interesting readings and supported in our own research. For me personally, the film class takes the cake. Our professor happened to be on the jury of a Paris-based festival and invited us to come along, connecting us with filmmakers and curators, some of whom we even ended up collaborating with for a screening we organized as part of the annual Paris Postgraduate Festival! Not to forget, an honorable mention for the most entertaining class certainly goes to the weekly French lesson with Dr Carine Fréville.

At PSAC, we like to say that Paris is your campus. How genuine do you think this is?

In addition to the numerous excursion destinations mentioned above, there is a rich buffet of research institutions all over town. From the cozy living room atmosphere of the American Library in Paris, to the breathtaking eclecticism of the Bibliothèque Nationale de France at Richelieu, to the dystopian depths of its François Mitterrand site (no doubt the best place to get a grip and focus when deadlines are approaching), PSAC hands out library memberships like candy – and I was there for it. Also, fortunately for me, sitting in a booth in front of a boxy monitor from the 1990s to watch obscure films from the 1930s matches my idea of a fun morning, and so I have become a regular visitor at the Cinémathèque française. And finally, there is nothing wrong with snuggling up at Reid Hall or strolling over to the lavish nearby park to do a week’s worth of mandatory reading on a single sunny afternoon.

You started your studies in January. Do you feel it was easy enough to meet other students and form bonds?

Concerts, screenings and magazine launches are just some of many opportunities to connect with peers on and off campus throughout the year, yet I felt and still feel no pressure to socialize; as with most things, the key is to not overthink anything, be open to new experiences and let it all happen naturally.

What has been your most memorable Paris moment?

A few come to mind, but here’s one that is perhaps most representative of how I hope to remember this chapter in my life (as much as it is a total cliché): Sitting down on a picnic blanket in Buttes-Chaumont after having played Boules for two hours straight, surrounded by most of my friends, cheese, pastry, wine, grapes, and watching the sun set over the city.

You’re from Germany. What as the transition from Germany to Paris like?

Having already lived in France for a few months after high school, and being from a neighboring EU country, I had the privilege of neither having to deal with a lot of paperwork beforehand nor being surprised by cultural differences. That’s right, you’re supposed to remain quiet during a movie! Unless it’s a silent film of course, in which case one is legally obliged to whistle along to the music. (Bad) Jokes aside, I had the rare foresight to look for – and the good fortune to find – accommodation a few months in advance; now that I’ve properly settled in, Paris feels like a home that I can always come back to. Disclaimer for fellow (former) medium-sized-town dwellers: It did take me a while to make peace with the fact that I will necessarily miss out on most of the exciting cultural happenings on account of their sheer ubiquity.

What advice would you give to incoming students?

To follow up my previous statement: Relax and discover everything at your own pace. At the same time, embrace that this is a great time to meet people and explore whatever interests you – or, if you’re unsure, to find out what that really is. Be willing to learn some French! You can get the basics down with any school book or online tutorial, aided by the weekly free lesson on campus. Then gather all your courage and start getting through your everyday life – and ideally, beyond – in the local language as best as you can, even when you’re being replied to in English (which happens a lot in the beginning). Eat and drink well, go for walks and hop on a rental bike from time to time to get a feeling for the city outside of your commuting routine. Lastly, there is not much left to say concerning the course apart from the obvious (choose modules that you’re curious about, not just by subject but content!). One bit of practical advice I think, speaking from personal experience, would be to use some extra time to do research throughout the term, so as not to be in a rush once the essay deadlines are around the corner. Time flies in Paris!

Image preview

Valentin in the courtyard garden at Reid Hall, University of Kent Paris School.

Refractions: Paris Postgraduate Festival 2023 Full Programme

In a world of sensory stimulants, art is the prism through which we refract our experiences. This year’s Paris Postgraduate Festival takes on the theme of Refractions. Taking place from 5th-9th June, these 5 free events will disperse the prismatic visions of artists across multiple Parisian venues. Please see the festival website to sign up and RSVP. 

Pop-up Exhibition. Agora.

Monday June 5, 2023: Festival launch and Pop-up Exhibition

The 2023 festival will launch with a pop-up exhibition featuring artworks, sounds, and, of course, wine. Visit us in the 11th district of Paris where we will exhibit the work of a range of emerging artists, based in Paris, accompanied by audio inspirations.

WHEN + WHERE: 5:30-9:30 PM, Mon Pop-up Paris, 14 rue Jean Mace, 75011 

 

Peniche Cinema – La Baruda. Time Out.

Tuesday June 6, 2023: Sounds & Visions 

We present an experimental event incorporating live jazz music from Antoine Karacostas, accompanied by a programme of exceptional short films. Experience a new form of silent cinema, an amalgamation of contemporary and archive.

WHEN + WHERE: 5:30 PM at La Péniche Cinéma – Le Baruda in La Villette, 75019 Paris

RSVP 

 

Wednesday June 7, 2023: Featured Author – Rebecca Watson

We invite you to join Featured Author Rebecca Watson in an afternoon of literary discussion and workshops. Experience an experimental writing workshop and an exclusive reading from Rebecca’s debut novel little scratch.

WHEN + WHERE:  2 PM at The Red Wheelbarrow Bookshop, 11 rue de Médicis No. 9, 75006 Paris

Space is limited – please sign up 

Thursday June 8, 2023: The Menteur Launch Party

Join us in celebrating the launch of Voyager, the 2023 edition of The Menteur, the Paris School of Art’s annual literary magazine. Come get your free copy of the magazine, listen to readings by featured authors, and clink a glass to celebrate! 

WHEN + WHERE: 1 PM at Rosa Bonheur Buttes Chaumont, 2 Av. de la Cascade, 75019 Paris

RSVP 

Parc des Buttes Chaumont.

Friday June 9, 2023: The Art of Communications

We close the festival with a workshop that will awaken all your senses; the writing and reading of poetry informed by olfactory exploration. This poetry and perfumery workshop will take place in the beautiful hills of Buttes Chaumont.

WHEN + WHERE: 6:30 PM at Parc Des Buttes-Chaumont, 1 Rue Botzaris, 75019 Paris.

Precise location will be provided to participants prior to the event.

Space is limited – please sign up 

Renowned French Women Artists & Where to See their Art in Paris

All too frequently overshadowed by their male counterparts, women artists have gradually carved out their rightful place on France’s art scene. This foundation was laid by courageous women artists of the late-19th century, with more following little by little over the course of the 19th and into the 20th century. Here are ten of the most renowned artists who helped pave the way for today’s generation of women artists in France.

Portrait of Marie Antoinette, Elisabeth Vigée Le Brun © Château de Versailles, Dist. RMN : © Christophe Fouin

Elisabeth Vigée Le Brun (1755-1842)

Elisabeth Vigée Le Brun was one of the most renowned artists of the end of the 18th and first half of the 19th century. A child prodigy, her talent for drawing was noticed at a young age by her father, a pastel artist, who let her dabble with his supplies. After several years at a convent school, she began an apprenticeship with an artist. A professional artist by age 14, within only a few years she began painting high-level aristocrats and she was one of the first women accepted into a French painting academy, or guild. Her work soon attracted the attention of the royal court (then looking to rehabilitate the Queen’s reputation); she became the Queen’s official portraitist and painted her over thirty times. Fleeing during the Revolution, she was able to return to her artistic career under the Napoleonic regime.

Where to see her art: Musée du Louvre (French Painting Department), Versailles (le Petit Trianon)

Portrait de Rosa Bonheur dans son atelier au château de By
©Chateau de Rosa Bonheur

Rosa Bonheur (1822-1899)

Also the daughter of an artist father, Rosa Bonheur’s love of animal paintings began as a child and continued throughout her career. She studied animals in the suburbs of Paris, the Bois de Boulogne and the National Veterinary Institute. Bonheur’s first major success was Ploughing in the Nivernais, on display at the Musée d’Orsay, and was awarded a gold medal in 1849. Adored by the US market, Bonheur was the first female French artist to be awarded the Legion of Honour.

Where to see her art: Musée d’Orsay, Chateau de Rosa Bonheur (near Fontainebleau)

Le jardin à Bougival (1884) Berthe Morisot, and top image: Self-Portrait (1889), Berthe Morisot, both Musée Marmatton-Monet

Berthe Morisot (1841-1895)

A rebellious artist from her early days, Berthe began painting alongside her sister. A close friend of Édouard Manet, the two exchanged frequently on art; Morisot would later marry his brother. She was one of the founding members of les “Artistes Anonymes Associés,” a group of innovative artists including Claude Monet, Auguste Renoir, Alfred Sisley, Camille Pissarro, and Edgar Degas who would later be called the impressionists. Today her work features in many of the world’s most prestigious museums.

Where to see her art: Musée d’Orsay and the Musée Marmottan-Monet

The Blue Room (1923), Centre Pompidou – Musée National d’Art Moderne

Suzanne Valadon (1865-1938)

Interested in drawing as a child, Marie-Clémentine Valadon, later called Suzanne, came from a poor family and was obligated to begin work aged 11. After an accident at the circus where she was an acrobatist, she started modeling for artists including Berthe Morisot, Renoir, Degas and Toulouse-Lautrec. These encounters encouraged her to pursue her own artistic career. Known for her bold nudes as well as portraits, still lifes, and landscape, she became the first woman painter admitted to the Société nationale des Beaux-Arts. Valadon and her son, the notable painter Maurice Utrillo, are celebrated at the Montmartre Museum, part of which comprises their former studio.

Where to see her art: Musée d’Orsay, Centre Pompidou and Musée de Montmartre

Marie Laurencin

La Répétition (1936), Marie Laurencin, Centre Pompidou
Marie Laurencin (1883-1956)

A multi-talented artist born in Paris, Marie Laurencin got her start in art by learning the trade of porcelain painting at the École de Sèvres before she moved on to the Académie Humbert. It was here where she met Braque and Picabia, steering her in the direction of modernism. A fauvist before becoming a prominent cubist, Laurencin became a popular society portraitist after the Great War. She also dabbled in theatre set design and costumes.

Where to see her art: Musée de l’Orangerie and Centre Pompidou

Louise Bourgeois, Spider

Louise Bourgeois, Spider (Araignée) (1995). Don de la SAMAM en 1995 © The Easton Foundation / ADAGP, Paris 2020 / Julien Vidal / Parisienne de Photographie

Louise Bourgeois (1911 – 2010)

One of the most renowned artists of the 20th century, Louise Bourgeois might be best known for her large-scale sculpture and installation art, however, her work evolved dramatically over her long career. After her mother’s death, Bourgeois abandoned the study of maths to pursue art, first at the École des Beaux-Arts and the École du Louvre, before moving on to independent academies in Montparnasse and Montmartre. It was after moving to New York with her husband, an art scholar, in the late 1930s that her career and individual style began to flourish, especially when she joined the American Abstract Artists Group in the 1950s.

 Where to see her art: Centre Pompidou and the Modern Art Museum of the City of Paris

Clement Dorval / Ville de Paris

Stravinksy Fountain ( 1983), Niki de Saint Phalle, Photo: Clement Dorval / Ville de Paris

Niki de Saint-Phalle (1930-2002) 

Born in France and raised in the United States, Niki de Saint-Phalle is best remembered for her monumental, curvaceous and colourful sculptures. Nevertheless, Saint-Phalle was also a painter, filmmaker and illustrator. The self-taught artist portrayed her traumatic childhood through violent assemblages shot by firearms, which caught the attention of the international art world. She collaborated with other notable artists like Jasper Johns, Robert Rauschenberg and Jean Tinguely. Her sculptural commissions decorate public spaces around the world. In Paris, her most notable work on display is the colourful, nouveau realist Stravinksky Fountain created with her husband Jean Tinguely in 1983.  

Where to see her art: Centre Pompidou.

Sophie Calle, Gallerie Perrotin (75003)

Sophie Calle, Gallerie Perrotin, Paris

Sophie Calle (1953- )

Born in the Parisian suburb of Malakoff and raised in the South of France, Sophie Calle is one of the most prominent living artists on the international art stage. A globe-trotting feminist activist in her youth, Calle returned to Paris and turned towards art. Known for her very personal work exploring identity, Calle crisscrosses genres from writing to photography and from installation work to conceptual art. She frequently exhibits in contemporary art galleries around the world. 

Where to see her art: Gallerie Perrotin (75003)

Musee de la Chasse et de la Nature

Quirky Museums in Paris

With over 200 different venues, Paris is home to the world’s largest concentration of museums. Often founded based on donated private collections, these curious venues look into history as well as the particular subject they cover.  Once you’ve visited the “big hit” museums, like the Louvre, Orsay and Pompidou Museum, venture off the beaten path to these quirky museums.

Phono Museum

Phono Museum / Facebook

Phono Museum

At the base of Montmartre and in the heart of Paris’s music district is this notable museum dedicated to evolution of phonographic devices. On display are over 100 vintage gramophones and other early musical recording machines as well as posters and other memorabilia of this art made obsolete by digital technology.

Musée de la Contrefaçon.

Musée de la Contrefaçon / Facebook

Musée de la Contrefaçon

The Museum of Counterfeiting is found within an elegant mansion in the 16th district, which is itself a copy of an older historic mansion. The museum presents a wide variety of copied objects, ranging from Louis Vuitton bags to Rodin statues, displayed next to genuine items.

Musee de la Chasse et de la Nature

Musée de la Chasse et de la Nature

Musée de la Chasse et de la Nature

Situated within two 17th-century private mansions in the North Marais is an eclectic collection akin to a Noah’s Arc of animals from the four corners of the globe and in various forms. The Hunting and Nature Museum is organized as an intriguing cabinet of curiosities that looks straight out of a West Anderson movie.

Musée d'histoire de la médecine

Musée d’histoire de la médecine, Photo: Emile Barret / CC

The Museum of the History of Medicine

Even if you’re not deeply interested in the topic, this medical history museum is housed within a stunning room of the former Medical College in the Saint Germain neighborhood. It contains the oldest collection of historic medical devices and images, which are certainly fascinating to discover after you’ve taken in the beautiful surroundings. 

Les Egouts de Paris

Les Egouts de Paris. Photo: Mairie de Paris

Les Égouts de Paris

Certainly one of the least most expected museums in chic Paris, this museum offers a unique opportunity to go underground… as you learn about the City of Paris’ sewerage system. Fear not, the experience is safe and clean. Visitors start by learning about the history and environmental issues of the sewers in the dry gallery before moving on to the wet gallery, which discovers a small part of the vast system’s water reservoirs and galleries.

Looking for other original things to do in Paris? Gain further inspiration from these other articles from our blog:

Top Photo: Musée de la Chasse et de la Nature / Facebook

Art-Themed Day Trips from Paris

Viewing artist masterpieces in person, at world-class museums, is one of the top reasons for studying art history in Paris. However, you can put yourself into the shoes, or rather artist smocks, of a wide range of 19th and 20th century artists by visiting the actual places they lived, worked and painted. Many of these are easily accessible on half and full day trips from Paris, a journey which can even be free if you have a Pass Navigo. Giverny often tops the list, however, it can get really crowded in season and is also closed from November to March. Instead, we recommend venturing out on these excellent art-themed day trips from Paris.

The Gleaners, Jean-Francois Millet (1857), Musée d’Orsay / CC

Barbizon 

Decades before the Impressionists, an earlier generation of artists took to painting in fields outside Paris, namely around this village. Striving for realism in their works, these artists, including Millet, Rousseau, Corot and Daubigny, formed a movement later called the Barbizon School. In the early 1860s, the young budding artists Monet, Renoir and Sisley were drawn here, helping create the foundations of Impressionism. Modern-day visitors to Barbizon can tour a number of former artist haunts and studios, like the Auberge Ganne, now a small museum. Afterwards visiting the village, take a stroll through the nearby picturesque countryside which so inspired the artists.

Getting there: It takes 40 minutes by suburban train, Gare de Lyon to Fontainebleau-Avron (Line R), then take bus 21 to Barbizon.

Eglise Notre-Dame, Moret-sur-Loing. Pierre Poschadel / CC (and top image by Alfred Sisley)

Moret-sur-Loing 

Not too far from Barbizon is this pretty Medieval village which was a popular destination of the Impressionists. Alfred Sisley loved it so much that he spent the last 20 years of his life living and painting here. You can follow in his footsteps thanks to some self-guided walks created by the local tourism office (stop in there for more info or see their website). Along the way, you’ll also be able to admire the lovely town’s ancient churches, its medieval gates and historic mills along the Loing River. You can also rent bike rentals at the tourist office to visit the village and its surroundings.

Getting there: It takes 45-minute by suburban train, Gare de Lyon (Line R) to the Moret-Veneux-les-Sablons.

L'église Notre-Dame-de-l'Assomption à Auvers-sur-Oise

Notre-Dame-de-l’Assomption Church in Auvers-sur-Oise / CC

Auvers-sur-Oise 

In northwestern Paris, not far from Giverny, is this even more charming village with connections to various artists, namely Vincent van Gogh. After two years in Provence, van Gogh spent the last 70 days of his life in Auvers-sur-Oise, painting almost a painting per day. Panels around town allow visitors to compare the Dutch artist’s works with the actual location he painted, many of which are now on display at the Musée d’Orsay. Visitors can peer in at the room he stayed in at the l’Auberge Ravoux, where you can also enjoy a lunch of cuisine from the era. A short walk through the fields will take you to the village’s cemetery, the final resting place of Vincent and his beloved brother Theo. The town is also home to a number of other art studios and cultural venues. Some of these sites close in winter, however, all the outdoor venues are still viewable.

Getting there: From April to October on Sat and Sun, there’s a direct train from Gare du Nord to Auvers-sur-Oise departing at 9:30. The rest of the year, the journey takes an hour, by taking the suburban train from the Gare du Nord (Line H) and changing at Persan-Beaumont to Auvers station.

Ile-des-Impressionnistes – Yvelines Tourisme

Chemin des Impressionnistes

A short ride on the RER A west of Paris will allow you to retrace the path of a range of Impressionists who painted along the Seine River. Many scenes of guinguettes, casual outdoor bars and dance halls, were painted on River’s banks spanning from Le Pecq to Carrières-sur-Seine. These locations are now organised along a route called le Chemin des Impressionnistes. You can choose between five paths (of five to 12 kilometers long) which als have placards illustrating the works created at certain spots. Your meander might take you past Renoir’s Route de Versailles, Pissarro’s Le village de Voisins or to Chatou’s l’Ile des Impressionnistes. The bucolic island is still home to the favourite Impressionist haunt, La Maison Fournaise, a great spot to stop for a break during your outing.

Getting There: There are a number of starting off points, like Marly-le-Roi, reachable in 35 minutes from Saint Lazare (L Line). The Ile des Impressionistes is near RER A in Rueil-Malmaison.

Rouen Cathedral. Facade (Sunset), Claude Monet (1892), Musée Marmottan Monet / CC and Rouen Cathedral, Portal and Tower Saint-Romain in the Sun, Claude Monet (1892-93), Musée d’Orsay / CC

Rouen

A pleasant train ride northwest of Paris will take you to the lovely Normand city of Rouen. Although heavily damaged in bombings during WWII, the city has been wonderfully restored. Its centre, abundant in colourful half-timbered houses, revolves around the Cathédrale Notre-Dame, immortalised by Monet. Found not far from his home in Giverny, between 1892 and 1893, Monet painted the cathedral over 30 times. An experiment of light and colour, he painted it at different times of day and year. After your day trip there, view some of his paintings of the cathedral at the Musée d’Orsay and the Musée Marmottan Monet, an excellent museum in the 16th district which houses the largest collection of Monet paintings in the world.

Getting there: Ranging from 75-90 minutes, regional TER trains depart regularly from Gare Saint-Lazare.

Looking for further art-themed activities in Paris or day trips from the capital? Peruse these other articles from our blog:

Interested in Studying art history in Paris? Learn more about our Master’s in the History and Philosophy of Art here.

Top image: Moret-sur-Loing, Alfred Sisley (1891), Collection particulière / CC

 

How to Visit Current Art Studios in Paris

While Paris has some of the best museums in the world, the city also fosters the creativity of thousands of modern-day artists. A unique way to experience their work first-hand is to visit their studios. There are a variety of ways you can do this thanks to open days (portes ouvertes), artist association-run galleries, and events in artist squats. Discover some of the best opportunities below, including a few events in the coming weeks!

Cité International des Arts / FB

La Cité Internationale des Arts 

This City of Paris foundation in the southern Marais welcomes 1,000 international artists-in-residence every year. On Wednesdays from 6pm to 9pm they host an “artist trail” through a selection of the centre’s 325 studios. They also have an art gallery displaying their artists’ work and host a range of other events, learn more here.

The foundation also manages another art studio centre on the northern edge of Montmartre. Opening in the early 1930s, La Cité Montmartre aux Artistes is comprised of 180 art studios. Some events are held throughout the year or you can also visit it on open days. The next open days are 9th to 10th February!

59 Rivoli (and top image) / FB

59 Rivoli

Since 1999 this colourful artist squat has occupied a former bank building on rue de Rivoli. You can freely wander through the various floors and studios of the space from 1pm to 8pm Tuesdays to Sundays (donations appreciated) or check out its revolving line-up of exhibits (and concerts) which take place in its official art gallery on the ground floor.

6b Saint Denis

6b Saint Denis

6b 

This artist squat is found within a massive formerly vacant building in the northern suburb of Saint-Denis. Today 200 artists of varying genres contribute to the vibrant cultural ambiance of the venue. They have an active agenda of events from exhibitions to short film screenings. They are host an open house twice a year.

L’Impasse

This hybrid creative space and bar in the 11th has monthly artist-in-residence. Called the “Aquarium”, the studio is found underneath the venue’s impressive atrium (created by Gustave Eiffel!). You can stop by to see what the artist is up to and you may want to plan to come Thursday to Saturday night to also take in a concert or film screening. 

Ateliers de Belleville

Ateliers de Belleville / Paris Info

Ateliers de Belleville

The Belleville area is one of the most artistic in Paris. Its local artist association is made up of 250 members. They display their art in individual and group shows at the AAB GALLERY (1 rue Francis Picabia, 75020 Paris), located near the Park de Belleville which is usually open from 2pm to 8pm, Thursday to Sunday. Or better yet, if you’re here in mid-May, attend their open days event, the largest in Paris. While you’re in the area, take a meander around to discover the area’s great street art scene!

Ateliers de Menilmontant 

This collective of over 200 artists of the bohemian district of the 20th arrondissement date back to 1991. They organise a number of events throughout the year at their gallery, Galerie Ménil’8 (8 rue Boyer 75020 Paris), as well as a larger open house in late September. 

Les Frigos / Paris Info

Les Frigos

Originally built in 1920, this former refrigerated storage depot in the 13th district was first squatted by artists in 1985. Now legalized, it houses over 80 artists, ranging from painters to jewelry designers. Although their studios are usually closed to the public, visits can be requested via their website. Nevertheless, you can also visit its art gallery, Aiguillage, to see the work of the artists in residence or check out the venue’s website for occasional workshops, other events and updates on their portes ouvertes which takes place in mid May.

La Galerie Ouverte de l’Apla

This association of artists in the vicinity of the world-famous cemetery aims to make art more accessible and interactive to local residents by organizing seasonal open air exhibits in the Place de la Réunion. Meet the artists and get invited to come back to visit their studios on another day! The next event is 23 March 2024 then there will be other events in June, September and December.

Other Portes Ouvertes – Annual Studio Open Days

Various neighborhoods around Paris have associations bringing together their local artists. These are usually once a year and offer an opportunity to visit 50-100 actual art studios. Here are some great options, organised starting at the beginning of the academic year.

Ateliers des Artistes d’Anvers aux Abbesses: around 80 artists sprinkled in the streets surrounding Montmartre. Held mid November.

Le 6è: a collective of the artists of the 6th arrondissement hosts its open house event in mid May.

Ecole des Beaux Arts: If you’ve ever wondered what it was like inside the Paris Fine Arts Academy, you can take a meander through parts of it during its annual open days. The two day event displays the end of year projects of its students and is usually held at the end of June.

Looking for other original opportunities to discover art in Paris? See these other articles on our blog: 

 

The Paris of the Impressionists

Although fields and country scenes are usually linked to Impressionism, most French Impressionist painters got their careers started off in urban Paris. As such, there are a number of places connected to the artists of this 19th-century art movement in and around the capital. After you’ve seen their works in the museums of Paris (suggestions at the end), head out onto the streets of Paris to see where the Impressionists painted.

Quai du Louvre, Claude Monet (1867)

The Seine River

The city’s iconic river appears in the works of the Impressionists, both inside and outside of Paris. Their love of the Seine might have been sparked in the early days of a small group of these artists, Monet, Sisley, Renoir and Bazille, who met in the studio of Charles Gleyre. It was located on the Right Bank of the river near on Quai du Louvre, in between Pont Neuf (more on this below) and the Pont des Arts, which was yet to be built. 

Over the course of the next thirty years these artist commemorated the Seine dozens of times, often from one of the guinguette dance halls which once dotted the river in the city’s western suburbs, like on the Ile de la Grande Jatte or the Ile de Chatou. You can trace the path of their paintbrushes on Chatou’s Chemin des Impressionistes walking route.

Art history master's in Paris

The Pont-Neuf, Wreck of Bonne Mère, Camille Pissarro (1901)

The Pont Neuf

Perhaps due to its location near Gleyre’s studio, Paris’s oldest bridge became a recurrent subject matter of the Impressionists. Renoir, Monet and Pissarro all immortalised the bridge, the latter of whom painted it several times (including the top image), as was common with the Impressionists. 

Study art history in Paris

The Tuileries (Study), Claude Monet (1876)

The Tuileries Gardens

Also near Gleyre’s studio, the Impressionists might have also appreciated this beautiful historic garden for its natural qualities. Easier to get to than the Normand countryside, the park was a popular place at the time for gatherings, as seen in pre-Impressionist Edouard Manet’s Music in the Tuileries Gardens. Monet, Study of the Tuileries. Monet was fond of the park and painted it from various angles, like the above study of the gardens.

Study art history in Paris

Le Pont de l’Europe, Gare Saint-Lazare, Claude Monet (1877)

Le Gare Saint-Lazare

Even though the Impressionists were more interested in nature, the technological advancements of the 19th century did occasionally appear in their art, including Paris’s first train station. Le Gare Saint-Lazare was also the station from where the Impressionists could access Normandy. The station was captured on several of Monet’s canvases. He explored different perspectives, from the interior as well as from the train bridge behind the station, le Pont de l’Europe, the locomotives billowing smoke creating a very impressionist effect.

Le Bal du Moulin de la Galette, Pierre-Auguste Renoir

Montmartre

Initially drawn to Montmartre in order to work on one of his most famous paintings, Renoir was likely the biggest fan of Montmartre of the Impressionists. He spent the summer of 1876 in this then very working class former village as he worked on Le Bal du Moulin de la Galette. The space he used as a studio and its gardens, where he painted The Swing, are now part of the Musée de Montmartre. From that moment until the early 20th century, Renoir lived and worked in Montmartre. Although the nearby cafés of Montmartre are rather touristy now, places like Le Consulat and La Bonne Franquette, were frequented by the Impressionists. Post-Impressionist artist Vincent van Gogh lived in Montmartre from 1886-88 and painted a number of scenes in the hilly district, included around a dozen paintings of the area’s moulin, its windmills, two of which still stand on rue Lepic, the same street the artist lived on (at #54)

Musee Marmottan Monet Paris

Musee Marmottan Monet

Where to See Impressionist Art in Paris

​​Several Paris museums have important collections of Impressionist art. The most famous of these is the Musée​​ d’Orsay, however, the Orangerie, the Musée Marmottan Monet and the Petit Palais museum also have wonderful collections and several of the works included above!

If you would like to delve deeper into the art of the late 19th and early 20th centuries, consider pursuing our Master’s in the History and Philosophy of Art. Learn more about it, and our other MA programmes in film, creative writing and Medieval studies, at this link.

Top Image: Morning, Winter Sunshine, Frost, the Pont-Neuf, the Seine, the Louvre, Camille Pissarro (1901)

Study-art-in-Paris

The Best Contemporary Art Galleries in Paris

Paris is an artist’s city. In addition to its record number of museums, it is also the home to a plethora of art galleries. Visiting active art galleries is a great way to complement classroom study. Many of Paris’s top contemporary art galleries are located in the Upper Marais, yet some of the most avant-garde are in more alternative neighborhoods. Launch events, or vernissages, which are great occasions to mingle with the city’s art crowd over a free glass of wine. Some of these galleries also offer internships. Our list of the best contemporary art galleries is below – though be sure to check out what’s on on this handy site. 

study-art-history-in-paris

Galerie Daniel Templon

One of the oldest contemporary galleries in Paris, Daniel Templon opened his first gallery in 1966 and moved to his current location near the Centre Pompidou in 1972. Prominent in the global art world, the gallery represents both established international artists and the rising stars of tomorrow.

Galerie-Thaddaeus-Ropac-Paris-Pantin

Galerie Thaddaeus Ropac Pantin Photo: © Philippe Servent / Paris info and top image

Galerie Thaddaeus Ropac

Another long-standing contemporary art establishment in Paris, Ropac got his start in the art world at the young age of 22 as the assistant of Joseph Beuys. He’s represented international art legends like Robert Mapplethorpe and Gilbert & George. His art empire now includes galleries in London, Salzburg, the Upper Marais and a vast art centre within a former 19th-century boiler house in Paris’s northeastern suburb of Pantin dedicated to young talents and large format exhibits.

Marian Goodman Gallery Paris

© Marian Goodman Gallery Paris

Marian Goodman Gallery

Famed American galleriste Marian Goodman has had an outpost in the Upper Marais since 1999. Its regularly changing exhibits include the works of celebrated artists like Nan Golding, Steve McQueen and Annette Messager.

© Galerie Perrotin

Emmanuel Perrotin

Now with three spaces in the Marais and over a dozen others around the world, Emmanuel Perrotin has come a long way since his humble beginnings with a gallery in his own apartment in 1990. On display expect to find contemporary art heavy-weights like Takashi Murakami, Sophie Calle and JR.

jousse-entreprise-galerie

© Jousse Entreprise Galerie

Galerie Jousse Entreprise

To see some of the best up and coming artists, track down this gallery in the Marais opened in 2001. You are more likely to find edgier artists as well as those experimenting with new technologies in their regularly changing exhibits.

Galerie Sultana

© Galerie Sultana

Galerie Sultana

Many modern day artists live in the Belleville neighborhood, therefore, it makes sense that there are a few good art galleries in the area. The gallery of Guillaume Sultana’s is among the best. Here you’ll find anything from abstract painting to installations.

Galerie Le Feuvre

© Galerie Le Feuvre

Galerie Le Feuvre

If you’re looking to see some urban art (and not out on the street), make your way to this gallery in the 8th arrondissement. Founded by Franck Le Feuvre in 2005, the gallery showcases the best street art as well as contemporary painting by artists like Invader,  SupaKitch, Sowat and Sixe Paredes. Learn more about the top Parisian street artists in this article. 

© Itinerrance Gallery

Itinerrance Gallery

This street art focused gallery is aptly located in the 13th arrondissement, one of the prime street art districts of the city. Opened by Mehdi Ben Cheikh in 2004, the gallery strives to support street artists and also collaborates with promoting and creating large scale street art murals in the area. Its exhibits feature both French and international street artists.

© Le Bal

Le Bal 

Tucked away on a cobbled lane near Place de Clichy, this independent arts venue mainly exhibits video, cinema, documentary photography and other new media. It has two floors of exhibition space and a great café where you can discuss what you saw afterwards with friends.

Further Art Studies & Explorations in Paris

Interested in studying art in a more in-depth way in Paris? Consider applying for our Master’s in the History and Philosophy of Art. More information on it and our other programmes here.

You might also enjoy these other art focused articles on our blog:

International Women’s Day 2022 in Paris

Tuesday 8th March marks International Women’s Day: a day to commemorate the cultural, political, and socioeconomic achievements of women.

The history of the day is rooted in the women’s suffrage and labour movements of North America and Europe in the early 20th century, who wanted a day to recognise women’s achievements and rights. After the 1917 revolution, Russia chose 8th March as their Women’s Day and other communist countries followed suit. By the 1960s, the day was adopted by global feminist movements and it became a mainstream global holiday following its adoption by the United Nations in 1977.

Here are some events happening around Paris to celebrate the day and shed light onto issues facing women here in France and across the world:

H24: 24 Hours, 24 Women, 24 Stories

Columbia Global Centers, the Columbia Institute for Ideas and Imagination and Lost in Frenchlation have teamed up to bring you a multilingual film screening in honour of International Women’s Day. H24 is a series of 24 short films by 24 female writers performed by 24 actresses, all based on the real life experiences of women dealing with sexism, harassment and violence. The screening will be followed by a discussion in English with producers Justine Henochsberg and Julie Guesnon Amarante.

Ce que les Afghanes à nous dire. Mairie du 10e arrondissement.

Ce que les Afghanes ont à nous dire

The Town Hall of the 10th Arrondissement is hosting a photography exhibition by recently exiled Afghan artists, allowing them to express themselves on the subject of their and their country’s situation after the Taliban returned to power in August 2021. The exhibition will run until 17th March with a special musical performance on Tuesday 8th March at 6pm for International Women’s Day.

PLURI’elles 2. Sine Nomine Collectif.

PLURI’elles #2

Following the success of last years exhibition despite Covid-19 related restrictions, Sine Nomine Collectif are back, bringing you a week of art, debates, theatrical performances, round table discussions, music and more at the Espace Voltaire. Find the full programme of events running from 8th to 14th March on Facebook.

Festival Films de Femmes

The Festival Films de Femmes is an international film festival in Créteil. The festival’s 44th edition, from 11th to 20th March, will feature short films, documentaries and feature films, as well as a retrospective on Susan Sontag’s work and a feature on Chinese cinema. The screenings will take place across three locations: the Maison des Arts et de Culture and the Lucarne cinema in Créteil, and Les 7 Parnassiens cinema in Paris.

Women are not afraid. Pauline Makoveitchoux.

Women are not afraid

On the fences around the Town Hall of the 1st Arrondissement, Pauline Makoveitchoux presents her photography exhibition: Women are not afraid. This photo series focuses on women defiantly reclaiming their right to exist in public and urban spaces. The public will be able to view this open air exhibition until Thursday 31st March.

Featured image: International Women’s Day 2015 demonstration. Boris Horvat/AFP.

Chateau de Vincennes

Interesting (and Economical) Day Trips from Paris

With its hundreds of museums, intriguing historic sites and vibrant neighbourhoods to discover, there is plenty to do in Paris. However, it can also be nice to get away from the busy city centre, have a change of scenery or take in some nature. Luckily, Ile-de-France, the greater Parisian metropolitan area, has an abundance of fantastic day trip options, many of which you can access completely free, especially if you have a student transit pass. Here are some of our favourites.

Basilique-Cathédrale de Saint-Denis

Photo: Basilique-Cathédrale de Saint-Denis

Basilique-Cathédrale de Saint-Denis

Although Notre-Dame Cathedral might be the world’s most famous Gothic cathedral, the first built in this style is sitting on the norther edge of Paris. Started in the 1130s, the church was constructed above the presumed grave of one of France’s earliest saints, Denis, who was executed by the Roman rulers of the times in around 270 AD. Over the centuries the church rose in prominence and became the final resting place of France’s monarchs, holding the remains of all but three of kings from the 10th century until 1789. Visitors today can admire the royal tombs while gazing up at the church’s flying buttresses, pointed arches and stained glass windows.

  • Address & Information: Cathedral Website
  • Getting there: 30-40 minute by Métro, line 13 to Basilique de Saint-Denis station. Short walk, follow the signposts. Note: Saint-Denis can be a little sketchy so we don’t recommend veer off the main streets.
  • Cost: Free for EU Nationals under 26 and other students with valid ID.
Bois de Vincennes Paris

Chateau de Vincennes (top) and Bois de Vincennes boat-rides

Château et Bois de Vincennes

A quick jaunt outside the eastern border of Paris will take you to this impressive medieval fortress and sprawling woods. A royal hunting lodge dating back to the mid-12th century, in the 1300s King Charles V added the imposing 52-metre-high donjon, the tallest in Europe and still standing today. Although the royals used it as a residence over the centuries, it was never revamped like castles of Versailles or Fontainebleau. The fortress was eventually converted into a prison, which held some infamous prisoners such as the Marquis de Sade and Louis XIV’s rival Nicolas Fouquet. Pack a picnic and make a day of it by carrying on your explorations in the adjacent Bois de Vincennes. The huge woods has kilometres of pathways, a lake where you can rent out boats, a Buddhist Temple and a botanical garden, le Parc Floral de Paris, which hosts a variety of events including open-air concerts, mostly in summer.

  • Address & Information: Chateau de Vincennes Website
  • Getting There: 30-40 minute by Métro, line 1 to Château de Vincennes, or RER A to Vincennes. Castle right outside Métro station.
  • Cost: Exterior of castle and woods are free, interior is free for EU Nationals under 26 and other students with valid ID. If you wish to visit the Parc Floral it has a small entrance fee.

Chateau de Fontainebleau

Château et Foret de Fontainebleau 

Skip the crowds at Versailles by venturing to this marvellous castle southeast of Paris instead. Another favorite hunting retreat of the royals, King Francois I redesigned the castle in the Renaissance style. It features opulent rooms decked out in elaborately carved wood, paintings, mirrors and more. The castle was also a favourite of Napoléon Bonaparte, who refurbished parts of it in the Imperial style. Behind the castle are beautiful gardens à la francaise, or to better connect with nature, spend the afternoon exploring the forest’s extensive hiking trails. If you visit on Tuesday, Friday or Sunday, before heading to the castle, you can pick up some picnic supplies at Fontainebleau’s food market.

  • Address & Information: Castle’s website. See some suggested hikes here.
  • Getting There: An hour from central Paris, 40 minutes by suburban train from Gare de Lyon (line R) to Fontainebleau-Avon. Castle a short walk from the station.
  • Cost: Castle free for EU Nationals under 26 and students with ID. Forest is free.

Auvers-sur-Oise

Auvers-sur-Oise

While visiting Monet’s home and garden in Giverny can make for a nice art excursion from Paris, there is much more to see, and far fewer crowds, in this charming village briefly inhabited by and the final resting place of Vincent van Gogh. Strolling through town, helpful panels show you the various places the Post-Impressionist painter captured on canvas, copies shown on the boards and many of the originals are displayed at the Musée d’Orsay. You can also visit or have lunch at the inn he lodged at, the Auberge Ravoux, and pay homage to the troubled artist at his grave in the local cemetery. The town has several other sites, including a small castle, various art studios and homes of other 19th century artists and a museum dedicated to Absinthe. On summertime weekends the town often holds art or music festivals.

  • Address & Information: Tourism website. Visit from March to October as many sites are closed in winter
  • Getting There: In summertime there is a direct train on weekend mornings around 9:30 am from Gare du Nord which is only 30 minutes. The rest of the year it’s an hour train ride from Saint-Lazare or Gare du Nord, take a regional train to Pontoise, change here for the trains in the direction of Persan-Beaumont, get off at Auvers station.
  • Cost: Free to walk around, small entry fee for various sites.
provins

Photo: Provins Tourisme

Provins

If you’d like to get a taste of France without going too far, then consider visiting this medieval town east of Paris. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, the beautiful hilltop village thrived over the centuries due to its position as a fiefdom of the Counts of Champagne and its popular fairs, which still take place before Christmas. A visit at any time of year will delight thanks to its magical historic centre home to the Tour César fortress, stone churches, narrow lanes and protective city walls.

  • Address & Information: Local tourism website
  • Getting There: Around an 80-minute train journey, Gare de l’Est to Provins. The town is accessible on foot from the station.
  • Cost: Most sites can be visited freely from the exterior.

Photo: Street art by C215, Vitry-Sur-Seine / Paris Tourisme

Contemporary Art & Street Art in Vitry-Sur-Seine

For something more offbeat, considering visiting this close southeaster suburb popular with street artists. The city is home to MAC/VAL, France’s only museum dedicated to contemporary art from the 1950s to today. In the shadow of a towering Jean Dubuffet statue, the contemporary building houses over 2,000 works by both well-established names like Christian Boltanski and Annette Messager, and up-and-coming artists. After visiting the museum, continue your artistic discoveries in the streets of Vitry, where you’ll come across hundreds of works by French and international street artists like C215, Indigo, Kashink, Swoon and Alice Pasquini. This artistic flourishing has earned the city the title of “Capital of Street Art.” You can find the works easily using this helpful map and discover more about Parisian street artists in our article here.

  • Address & Information: MAC/VAL website
  • Getting There: Around a 30-45 minute trip from central Paris by Métro and bus, line 7 to Porte de Choisy then bus 172, 180 or 183 to Place de la Libération.
  • Cost: Free for under 26 and other students with valid ID.

Looking for other interesting things to do in Paris? Carrying on your exploring with these articles: