Rodin – Sculpting Indelible Memories of Paris

(Photo courtesy Wikipedia)

Ah Paris! The Eiffel Tower. Notre Dame. The Louvre. If you're planning a trip to Paris, I'm sure you're planning to visit these world-famous sites and for good reason. I love them too, but let's not forget that there's more to Paris than the largest iconic tourist attractions.

One of the smaller museums in Paris, the Musée Rodin is often neglected by travelers on a whirl-wind tour of the City of Lights. I say smaller because in comparison to the Musée d'Orsay or the Louvre it is, but it actually holds over 6,000 sculptures as well as many paintings and photographs.

I confess, I was never that "in" to sculpture. A few sculptures here or there struck my fancy, but as an art form it never called to me. Sculpture had often seemed hard, cold, even dead to me. Instead of seeing life in sculptures, they often struck me as being cold, hard shells declaring their emptiness. Maybe that's why I never made it to the Musée Rodin while I lived in Paris. I didn't know what I was missing.

On a return trip I visited this little gem and picked up one of my strongest memories of "my hometown."

Rodin managed to do something that I find almost unthinkable. He made stone soft and brought warmth, life, and light to chunks of rock. His sculptures are incredible – blocks of emotion and life just waiting to be discovered.

If you happen to be in Paris, stop by and say hello for me. Really, you have no excuse; this museum is easily accessible -right by the Varenne metro stop on line 13 as well as some RER and bus stops. Go.

Why didn't I include tons of pictures in this post? There are plenty online and I even have a few that I took myself. Pictures just don't do Rodin's work justice and as for the ones available online – le Penseur and le Baiser are the easiest ones to find, but some of my favorite Rodin sculptures were not the most famous. So again I say – Go! Not in France? I believe there are a few Rodin museums elsewhere in the world – if you're near one – check it out and let me know what your favorite sculpture is!

Before you go, why not do a little research and brush up on your French?

The official website: Musee Rodin – Official Site
Wikipedia article on the museum: Musee Rodin
Wikipedia article on Rodin: Auguste Rodin

And a friendly word of warning: "musée" is one of those words that loves to confuse us poor anglophones. Yes, it has two e's at the end. No, it isn't feminine. "Le Musée Rodin." Go figure.

l’Alliance Française

As a francophone or francophile, you have surely heard of the Alliance Française. The Alliance Française is a not-for-profit organization that exists to encourage knowledge of French language and culture around the world. As the website for the Paris Alliance Française says:

Qu’est ce qu’une Alliance française ?

Chaque Alliance française est une association de droit local à but non lucratif, qui exerce sa mission de manière autonome, en dehors de tout engagement de nature politique ou religieuse.
Les Alliances françaises ont en commun la poursuite de trois missions essentielles :

• Proposer des cours de français, en France et dans le monde, à tous les publics

• Mieux faire connaître les cultures françaises et francophones

• Favoriser la diversité culturelle

Les Alliances françaises ont en partage les valeurs qui font la force et la vie du réseau et sous-tendent chacune de leurs actions :

• Le respect de la diversité des cultures, la passion de l’échange et la solidarité

• Les valeurs associatives

• La convivialité

• La recherche de l’excellence dans toutes les activités entreprises

• La modernité et l’innovation

Haven't been to an Alliance Franaçise event or tried an Alliance class? You're missing out! The local Alliance is a great place to go if you're looking to meet up with other French speakers. Whether you're a beginner or a native speaker, you're sure to find something fun at your local Alliance. Check out the Alliance Française USA website or simple google "Alliance Française" and your city name to see if there is an Alliance Française near you.

If you're in the Sacramento area, I've made it easy for you: Alliance Française de Sacramento

*** One of the coolest benefits offered by the AF? A language assessment test. And it's free! If you're interested in taking the test visit the Alliance Française USA.***

Eiffel Tower Ice Skating – le patin à glace

via efcollegebreak.typepad.com

Did you know you can ice skate on the Eiffel Tower? I didn't. Apparently they've installed a temporary skating rink (une patinoire) on one of the observation decks. 

What do you say? Shall we go?

It sounds like fun!