Musée Rodin and the sculpture garden: discover the summer 2021 program

It is one of the most enjoyed museums in Paris. Open in 1919, the Musée Rodin was set in the former hotel Peyrenc de Moras, also known as the hotel Biron, which was built in 1732. It’s set on rue de Varenne in the heart of the 7^th arrondissement, a stone’s throw from the Invalides and the Eiffel Tower. 

This beautiful museum is surrounded by a big garden providing a laid-back and festive spot in the summer. The Sculpture Garden concocted us this year again a lovely entertaining program for the holiday. From June 17 to September 26, the Musée Rodin invites us to make the most of the sun and cultural entertainments held just for us.

Here is the detailed program of the summer festivities:

• June 17 and 24, September 10 - From 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.: Masterclasses focusing on the Picasso-Rodin exhibition
  As part of the compelling Picasso-Rodin exhibition, lecturer in aesthetic and art sciences at the Nîmes University and art critique on France Culture Corinne Rondeau chats with a guest in the Sculpture garden to tell us more about the traject of both artists and their creative processes. Masterclasses open to all, subject to admission fees.
  Registration recommended.
  • Thursday June 17 - "La Porte des Enfers, le passage interdit ou l'invitation ambiguë"
    
    
  • Thursday June 24 - "Pourquoi parler de génie?"
    
    
  • Friday September 10 - "Dans l'ombre des grands hommes"
    
    
• From Tuesday July 6 to Sunday 11: installation of the Dior haute-couture Fall/Winter 2021-2022 Fashion Show
  Exceptional tour open to the public: discover the installation of the Dior haute-couture Fall/Winter 2021-2022 Fashion Show taking place from Tuesday July 6 to Sunday 11 in Musée Rodin sculpture garden, some work especially created by artist Eva Jospin; outcome of a dialog - at the crossroad between art and haute couture - with Maria Grazia Chiuri - Art direction for Dior Females' Collections.
  
  The French plastic artist has created a monumental embroidery that has been used as the background for the show. You can also visit the installation late at night on July 8, 9 and 10 from 6 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. Hosts will be there to accompany you.
  
  
• Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays from July 22 to August 28: summer late-night openings
  From 6 p.m. until the sun sets, the garden and exhibition "Picasso-Rodin" will open to the public (Hotel Biron closed). Like last summer, the public is allowed to come and have a picnic on the pitches during the late-night openings on Thursday, Friday and Saturday evenings, as well as on Saturdays and Sundays during the day.
  
  
• Sundays from July 18 to September 26 - from 2:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.: Summer cultural entertainments
  On Sunday afternoons, the public is invited to take part in drawing workshops and discover Rodin's work with lecturers in the Sculpture garden. Free entertainments, without booking, subject to admission fees.
  
  
• Friday July 30 - from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.: Les Frivolités Parisiennes
  Free late-night show, without booking, subject to admission fees.
  
  
• Sunday September 26 - all day long: summer program closing day
  For the compelling "Picasso-Rodin" weekend, held with the Musée National Picasso-Paris, non-stop sound broadcast of a selection of texts written by celebrated writers telling us about both men and their careers.

• To be read
• What to do in Paris and the Île-de-France region over the weekend of January 3, 4 and 5, 2025
• What to do in Paris this week from December 30, 2024 to January 5, 2025: our not-to-be-missed outings
• What to do in Paris this weekend, January 4-5, 2025, with children?

If you do not know the gardens of the Musée Rodin, let us guide your through. Start your tour with the famous Thinker that appears in front of the Dôme des Invalides. The group of Bourgeois de Calais heading to the King of England's is the very embodiment of suffering and invites us to think. The monumental Porte de l'Enfer shows Rodin's artistry. At least two hundred characters are here to show Rodin's expressionist artistry.

At the foot of the southern terrace, the caryatids surround the pitch, Ugolin proudly stands in the pool, eating his children. Hidden in bushes, Orphée tunes her lyre. Snowball tree is already blooming and blossoms of the forsythias peaked between sculptures. More than a garden, you dive into the universe of Rodin's greatest monuments that can be enjoyed when visiting the museum's garden.

Covering two stories, this museum houses works by Auguste Rodin – considered as one of the fathers of modern sculpture – as well as collections of antique works, paintings and sculptures. Works by his muse, Camille Claudel who was a sculptress and a painter, are also displayed.

Every year, about 700,000 visitors come and enjoy the 6800 sculptures, 8000 drawings, 10,000 old photographs and 8000 art items exhibited at the hotel Biron and at the villa des Brillants in Meudon (Hauts-de-Seine), which makes of the musée Rodin of the greatest museums in France.

A new tour has been set up including a new room enabling us to immerge ourselves into the artist’s universe. Around the hotel de Biron, we find a huge garden with sculptures spreading over three hectares as well as a chapel entirely renovated back in November 2005. 

In other words, this is a beautiful tour of the gardens to enjoy while waiting for the museum to reopen!