Rapturous visits to the most romantic museums

Why not try something different this Valentine's Day? Treat yourselves to a cultural and romantic outing by taking your loved one to visit the most romantic museums in Paris. The Hotel Sophie Germain offers some suggestions to fascinate you.

A timeless escape to the Museum of Romantic Life

Tucked away in the 9th arrondissement, the Musée de la Vie Romantique is situated in the former home of the Dutch painter, Ary Scheffer. Here you can also dive into the intimate world of the novelist, George Sand. Discover a poignant collection of personal items and see the paintings of Scheffer and his contemporaries. But, don’t leave this romantic spot without taking a pleasant stroll in the garden, where roses and lilac bloom in the spring, and enjoying some quality time in the conservatory tea room.

An artistic date at the Orsay Museum

At the Musée d'Orsay you can admire one of the world’s most beautiful collections of pictorial art. Its riches and wonders include paintings by Monet, Renoir, Degas and Cézanne, as well as sculptures by greats such as Rodin, Degas and Maillol, making it one of the most important art museums of them all.

A stroll to the Cognacq Jay Museum

The Musée Cognacq Jay, in the heart of the Marais, is housed in a superb 16th century building in which the atmosphere of a mansion of the Age of Enlightenment is cleverly recreated. Between the courtyard and the garden, this wonderful building watches over an impressive collection of paintings, furniture, sculptures and other valuables. Suitably for Valentine’s Day, this museum was born of a wonderful love story between Ernest Cognacq (founder of the Samaritaine department store) and Marie-Louise Jay, who became his wife.

The Petit Palais; a broad artistic panorama

Nestled between the Seine and the Champs-Elysées, the Petit Palais is an architectural gem built for the Universal Exhibition of 1900. This building located in front of the Grand Palais serves as a showcase for the Musée des Beaux Arts de la Ville de Paris and houses some 1,300 works covering a wide artistic range. Here you can admire Flemish and Dutch paintings, antique collections, classical and medieval works, French and Italian Renaissance art and that of major 19th century artists. After a pleasant visit, take time for a stroll and a gourmet break amidst the tranquillity of the courtyard garden.

In the footsteps of Auguste and Camille at the Rodin Museum

In the list of romantic Parisian museums, the Musée Rodin ranks high. Behind a sober façade hides a charming 18th century mansion that holds many memories of the great sculptor, Auguste Rodin and his eternal muse and lover, Camille Claudel; two people with a mutual lifelong passion that resulted in Camille’s madness. Enjoy a beautiful Valentine's Day by strolling hand-in-hand in the beautiful gardens dotted with works by the master artist, including The Thinker, The Burghers of Calais and The Gates of Hell.

******

For more information :

- Musée de la Vie Romantique
- Musée d'Orsay
- Musée Cognacq Jay
- Petit Palais
- Musée Rodin

Hotel Sophie Germain, a 3-star hotel in the heart of Paris 15th