Claude Monet's "Water Lilies" are the main attraction to this lovely museum.

The former hunting lodge of the Duke of Valmy lies just East of the Bois de Boulogne. It became the primary residence of his son, Paul, an avid collector of Napoleonic art. Upon Paul’s death, the home and its contents were willed to the Academie des Beaux-Arts, and two years later, in 1934, the property was opened as a museum.

Interestingly enough, the museum’s focus shifted from First Empire, to Impressionist, with bequests from major donors. The first such gift came in 1957 from the family of a doctor who cared for, and loved the work of, such Impressionist painters as Renoir, Manet, Pissarro, and Monet. Then in 1966 one of Claude Monet’s sons, gave the museum what is recognized to be the largest collection of work by Monet. His Water Lilies canvases are breathtaking and are reason enough to visit the Marmottan. There is also a beautiful collection of illuminated manuscripts from Medieval times, gifted from a single donor.

The neighborhood of the 16th arrondisement is a lovely area for a walk after your visit, as there are many small cafes and boutiques of interest close to the museum.

MUSEE MARMOTTAN

2 Rue Louis Boilly
16th Arrondisement
Metro: Muette
Hours 10am-6pm
Closed Monday