Visit the former home and studio of sculptor Auguste Rodin, now a museum showcasing his most famous works, including 'The Thinker' and 'The Kiss,' set in a beautiful sculpture garden.

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• Musée Rodin: Semi-Private Guided Tour in English

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About Musée Rodin

Opened in 1919, the Musée Rodin occupies the Hôtel Biron, an exquisite rocaille mansion in the 7th arrondissement. This site is unique as Auguste Rodin (1840–1917) used the villa as his workshop and residence in his final years. He donated his entire collection—including plasters, bronzes, and his personal art collection—to the French State on the condition that the building be preserved as a museum dedicated to his work. The interior of the mansion features meticulously restored rooms where sunlight illuminates iconic marbles and early portrait busts. The curation allows visitors to trace Rodin's evolution from traditional craftsmanship to the radical, fragmented aesthetic that paved the way for modern sculpture. Notable works inside include the sensual 'The Kiss' and the expressive 'Portraits of Honoré de Balzac.' The three-hectare sculpture garden is equally significant, designed to harmonize art with nature. Large-scale bronzes are carefully positioned among trimmed hedges and rose bushes. Strolling through the 'Garden of Springs' or the 'Garden of Orpheus,' visitors encounter monumental works that take on different moods depending on the Parisian light. Beyond Rodin's own creations, the museum displays his personal collection of antiquities and paintings, including works by Vincent van Gogh and Edvard Munch. This offers a rare glimpse into the influences that shaped the master's vision and his surrounding creative atmosphere. Today, the Musée Rodin remains one of the most beloved cultural institutions in Paris, offering a peaceful retreat from the city's bustle. Whether you are exploring the intimate sketches in the temporary exhibition wing or reflecting in front of the 'Gates of Hell,' the museum provides a profound encounter with the raw emotion of the human form.

FAQ

Exhibitions

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History

<p>Auguste Rodin's journey to establishing his own museum is as remarkable as his artistic career. Born in 1840, Rodin faced initial rejection from the École des Beaux-Arts, but his relentless dedication to studying the human form led him to become one of the most celebrated sculptors of his time. Towards the end of his life, specifically from 1908, Rodin took up residence in the Hôtel Biron, using it as his studio and showroom. The dilapidated mansion, originally built for financier Abraham Peyrenc de Moras in the 1720s, had served various purposes before Rodin's arrival, including a convent and a school for young women.</p><p>Facing the threat of the property being sold and his works potentially dispersed, Rodin had a groundbreaking idea: he would donate his entire collection to the French state, including all his sculptures, drawings, photographs, and the rights to reproduce them, on the condition that the Hôtel Biron be transformed into a museum dedicated to his work. This visionary proposal was a testament to his desire to preserve his artistic legacy and make it accessible to the public.</p><p>The French state accepted Rodin's generous offer. The official agreement was signed in 1916, just a year before his death. Following his passing in November 1917, the museum was meticulously prepared. <strong>Key date: The Musée Rodin officially opened its doors to the public in 1919</strong>, two years after the artist's death. This marked the culmination of Rodin's dream and ensured that his masterpieces, including 'The Thinker,' 'The Kiss,' and 'The Gates of Hell,' would remain assembled and displayed in the very place where many of them were conceived.</p><p>An interesting anecdote tells of Rodin acquiring many of the antique sculptures displayed in the garden. He believed in the importance of studying classical forms alongside modern art, and these pieces served as constant inspiration. The museum continues to embody Rodin's spirit, showcasing not only his finished works but also the creative process, making it a living testament to his enduring influence on art.</p>

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