Stories from France
Free stories from France, written by our guides for the MuseCat audio guide.
Paris
From Fortress to Palace: A Louvre History
Many people picture the Louvre as a palace before it was a museum — and that's only half right. It was indeed used as a…
From Controversy to Icon: The Glass Pyramid
In 1981, François Mitterrand was elected President of France. Believing that France's once-brilliant culture and arts we…
The Namesakes of the Louvre's Three Wings
The Louvre is made up of three wings — Richelieu, Sully, and Denon — each named after a notable figure from French histo…
Where Civilization Began: Mesopotamia
Today's tour begins with Mesopotamia, which is often grouped with Egypt, India, and China as one of the great early civi…
From Train Station to Museum: A Century of the Musée d'Orsay
The site where the Musée d'Orsay now stands was once home to the Palais d'Orsay, built in 1804 to house the Court of Aud…
Two Opposing Movements, Born in the Same Era: Neoclassicism and Romanticism
This tour begins in Room 1 on the ground floor of the Musée d'Orsay, home to Neoclassical and Romantic paintings. That p…
Thirty-Six Years of Brushwork: Ingres's The Source
The Source, one of the signature works by the great Neoclassical painter Ingres, took him from age 40 to age 76 to compl…
A Shadow of a Lost Masterpiece: Delacroix's Lion Hunt
Lion Hunt, by the great Romantic painter Delacroix, has a raw, emotional intensity that sets it worlds apart from Neocla…
The Orangerie: From Greenhouse to Museum
The name "Orangerie" comes from the French word for an orange grove's winter shelter — and that's exactly what this buil…
The Story of the Walter-Guillaume Collection
The man behind the Orangerie's basement collection was Paul Guillaume, one of the great art dealers of the 20th century…
The Pronaos: A Small Passage
This small passage, just before the rooms holding Monet's Water Lilies, is more than a simple corridor. Called the "pron…
Water Lilies, Room One
The first room housing Monet's Water Lilies is oval in shape, like the second room beside it, and the two are connected.…
From Mansion to Convent to Museum: 200 Years of the Musée Rodin
The site where the Musée Rodin now stands was originally a private mansion built in the 18th century. France was going t…
Three Rejections Made Him: The Turbulent Life of Auguste Rodin
Rodin was born on November 12, 1840, in Paris. His father worked as a civil servant, so while the family wasn't wealthy,…
A Body with No Head: How Rodin Assembled His Sculptures
The sculpture in front of you is a study Rodin made while working toward Pierre de Wissant, one of the figures in The Bu…
Room 1: Traces of Rodin the Student
You've just entered Room 1. It holds sculptures and drawings Rodin made during his student days at art school. More on t…
Why Picasso Headed for Paris
When Picasso first visited Paris in 1900, the city was in the thick of the Belle Époque, the "Beautiful Era" that ran fr…
A Prodigy's First Paintings
Man with a Cap was painted in 1895, when Picasso was 15. It is also the earliest work on this route. It isn't here becau…
A Friend's Death and the Start of the Blue Period
A man with closed eyes, a candle blazing behind him. The man in The Death of Casagemas is Casagemas, a painter friend Pi…
Picasso in His Unknown Years: The Portrait of Gustave Coquiot
The sitter in Portrait of Gustave Coquiot was a critic and writer active in Paris at the time. He wrote, collected art a…
Paris to Giverny by Train: A Day-Trip Guide
You've probably spent most of your time in Paris on the metro, but the trip to Giverny is by train. You'll leave from Ga…
Gare Saint-Lazare: Monet's Steam and Light
To get from Paris to Giverny, you have to pass through Gare Saint-Lazare. Monet did too, and he even painted the station…
The Train That Made Impressionism Possible
This train doesn't puff steam and it isn't black like the ones in the paintings, but the excitement you feel right now i…
Three Ways to Get from Vernon Station to Giverny
Once you arrive at Vernon station, there are three ways to reach Giverny.
How to Visit Auvers-sur-Oise
Your visit to Auvers-sur-Oise begins at the train station. From Paris you can leave from either Gare du Nord or Gare Sai…
Why Van Gogh Came to Auvers
What brought Van Gogh to Auvers-sur-Oise in the first place? In his 37 years, Vincent van Gogh lived at 38 different add…
Daubigny's Garden and the Father of Impressionism
Cross the road from Auvers-sur-Oise station and head left, and in front of number 22 you will find a painting mounted on…
The Church Van Gogh Painted
You are now standing before the real-life subject of one of Van Gogh's best-known paintings, The Church at Auvers, which…
How to Get to Giverny from Paris
Your Giverny day trip begins at Paris's Gare Saint-Lazare. Take Metro Line 3, 12, 13 or 14 to Saint-Lazare, then follow…
Young Monet: The Father of Impressionism
On the way to Giverny, here's a little of Monet's story.
Monet and His Series: Chasing the Light
In 1890, haystacks inspired Monet to plan series of paintings showing the same motif across seasons, times of day, weath…
Inside Monet's House: The Pink Villa
Follow the path from the parking lot and you'll arrive naturally at the entrance to Monet's house. The site consists of…
At the Place d'Armes, Before the Statue of Louis XIV
The equestrian statue in front of you is Louis XIV, the king who built Versailles. Behind it rises the palace itself, it…
At the King's Gate
Find the line matching your reserved time slot and join it. Entrance B, across the way on the right, is for group visito…
The King's Courtyard
This space is known as the King's Courtyard because it served as the entrance to the royal living quarters. Black and wh…
The Four-Hundred-Year Room — A History of Versailles
Versailles began life as a small, quiet village far from Paris, and the site looked nothing like the palace it would bec…
Notre-Dame: Opening Hours, Entry and Etiquette
Notre-Dame Cathedral is open every day of the year. On weekdays the doors open early in the morning and stay open until…
Getting There and Restroom Tips
Notre-Dame sits in the middle of the Île de la Cité, the birthplace of Paris and the very heart of the city, so there ar…
Three Tips for Reading the Cathedral
It would be a shame to snap a few photos of Notre-Dame's breathtaking beauty and move on. Learn a few secret codes and t…
Notre-Dame: History and Scale
Beneath the stone floor of Notre-Dame, the symbol of Paris, lies far more history than you might imagine. To understand…
Getting There and Booking Your Slot
Sainte-Chapelle sits in the heart of the Île de la Cité in Paris's 1st arrondissement, at 10 Boulevard du Palais. Unlike…
Arriving and Getting In: What to Know
Once you're in the courtyard, you'll see the security line. It may be longer than at other sights, and there's a reason:…
A Jewel Box Born of Debt
Sainte-Chapelle stands on the Île de la Cité, the same island as Notre-Dame. It's about a kilometre long and 300 metres…
The Grande Châsse: Revolution and Rebirth
At the far east end of the Upper Chapel stands a small, empty platform. It is the most storied spot in the building, bec…
How to Buy Panthéon Tickets
A standard ticket covers the ground floor and the crypt and costs €13. If you'd also like to climb the dome for views fr…
Bag Storage and What You Can Bring Inside
There's no cloakroom inside the Panthéon, so what you can bring in is limited. Large bags aren't allowed; only small bac…
Where to Find the Restroom
There's only one restroom inside the Panthéon. It's about halfway up the staircase that leads from the crypt back to the…
Things to Know While Touring
Two things to keep in mind as you explore.
Tour Route and Duration
The tour starts at Place de l'Opéra and covers 18 stops inside Palais Garnier, from floor 0 to floor 3, in about an hour…
Opening Hours and Closures
Palais Garnier is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., with last entry at 4 p.m. Plan on about two hours for your visit, photo s…
Tickets: How to Buy and Save
There are two ways to get tickets: online or on site.
Cloakroom and Bag Rules
Palais Garnier does have a cloakroom, but it's a free service reserved for audience members during performances, so you…
Three Reasons to Take a Church Walking Tour
The Eiffel Tower, the Arc de Triomphe, the Louvre, the Orsay: why choose churches over Paris's famous sights? Here are t…
Paris and France: The Basics
Before your Paris trip really begins, here's a quick rundown of the basics on France and Paris.
Church Pilgrimage Tips: Do's and Don'ts
So much of European travel revolves around art, and at its center are museums and churches. The most renowned painters a…
Enjoying the UNESCO World Heritage Sites: Tips
**World Heritage along the Seine**
Les Invalides: The Gilded Dome and Its Main Gate
Look out over Paris from the Eiffel Tower, or from Montmartre on a clear day, and one building catches your eye: a huge…
Napoleon's Resting Place: The Dôme Church
Step through the entrance and you'll find a broad, square, plaza-like space called the Cour d'Honneur ("Court of Honor")…
Second Floor: The Story of the French Revolution
Now for the museum's galleries. The displays here cover the period from 1643 to 1871, from Louis XIV to Napoleon III, an…
First Floor: France at War
This floor covers the history of the French army from 1871 to 1945, including both World Wars. It is the museum's core e…
Before You Start the Eiffel Tower Tour
The Eiffel Tower is lovely just to look at, but it gets far more interesting once you know its history and hidden storie…
Place du Trocadéro and the Palais de Chaillot
Our tour begins at the Palais de Chaillot terrace, where the Eiffel Tower stands clear in the distance. This is the firs…
Jardins du Trocadéro
Once you've got your fill of photos at the Palais de Chaillot, head down the hill toward the Eiffel Tower. Take the stai…
When and Why Was the Eiffel Tower Built?
Nicknamed the "Iron Lady," the Eiffel Tower broke ground on January 28, 1887, and was completed in 1889. Until the Chrys…
Why It's Called the Arc of the Star
The monument's full French name is Arc de Triomphe de l'Étoile, and since étoile means "star," it translates as the "Tri…
A Monument to Napoleon's Victories
Exit Charles de Gaulle–Étoile station at Exit 1 and the Arc de Triomphe comes into view. Walk to the entrance of the und…
The Underground Passage and Ticket Office
Once you come back up above ground, the Arc de Triomphe looms much closer, and you can make out fine details on its wall…
The Names Carved on the Pillars
Before you climb up to the terrace, take a closer look at the inner surfaces of the Arc's pillars. Step beneath the arch…
Sacré-Cœur Basilica: The Basics
Sacré-Cœur is French for "Sacred Heart", and the heart in question is that of Jesus. Churches dedicated to a sacred hear…
The History of Sacré-Cœur
The idea for Sacré-Cœur took shape after the Franco-Prussian War of 1870. The war pitted Prussia's Bismarck, who was dri…
Inside and Out: Sacré-Cœur's Highlights
Once inside, staff direct visitors along a set route. You follow the person ahead in one big loop around the church, so…
The Symbolic Creatures of Sacré-Cœur
Creatures of all kinds are carved into the inside and outside of the church, and none of them is there without a reason.…
The History of Sainte-Chapelle
Sainte-Chapelle, one of Paris's loveliest Gothic chapels, was begun in 1246 and completed in 1248. Its architect is unkn…
Sainte-Chapelle: Inside and Out
Start with the exterior once you reach the Île de la Cité. Gothic architecture usually calls to mind tall spires reachin…
Visiting Sainte-Chapelle: Practical Tips
Sainte-Chapelle is as popular as it is beautiful, so when and how should you go?
How to Buy Sainte-Chapelle Tickets
You must buy your Sainte-Chapelle ticket online. Go to the official ticket site (https://tickets.monuments-nationaux.fr/…
Five Tips for Visiting Sainte-Chapelle
1. Check the opening hours. Closing time changes with the season. From April 1 to September 30, Sainte-Chapelle opens at…
Why Is Sainte-Chapelle on the Île de la Cité?
Sainte-Chapelle stands on the Île de la Cité, an island in the Seine. It sits right in the middle of Paris. In the 1st c…
The Exterior and Its Buttresses
With its soaring spire and pointed carvings, the exterior of Sainte-Chapelle is classic Gothic: a visual expression of t…
Beaux-Arts and Art Nouveau
Before we look at the individual buildings, a quick word on the two styles that defined the Belle Époque: Beaux-Arts and…
Pont Alexandre III
The Pont Alexandre III is widely regarded as the most ornate and lavish bridge in Paris. "Pont" is French for bridge, an…
The Grand Palais
The Grand Palais means exactly what it says, the "Great Palace". Like the Pont Alexandre III, it was built for the 1900…
The Petit Palais
Across from the Grand Palais stands the Petit Palais, smaller but arguably even more ornate. The name means "Little Pala…
Île de la Cité: Where Paris Began
The Île de la Cité sits in the very heart of Paris, and it is where the city's story began. "Cité" itself means the cent…
Inside Notre-Dame: Rose Windows and Joan of Arc
Step inside and a solemn, reverent hush settles over you. Everything that defines Gothic architecture is here: soaring p…
Sainte-Chapelle: Paris's Most Dazzling Stained Glass
Part of the Conciergerie is still used as Paris's courthouse, and Sainte-Chapelle sits in the courthouse's inner courtya…
The Conciergerie: Marie Antoinette's Final Days
The Conciergerie is about a seven-minute walk from Notre-Dame. On a short trip to Paris it's easy to skip, but if you wa…
Tour Route and Duration
The walk starts at Notre-Dame Cathedral on the Île de la Cité. From there, you will visit Sainte-Chapelle and the Concie…
Getting to the Starting Point
The Walking Tour along the Seine begins at Notre-Dame Cathedral on the Île de la Cité. Paris covers only about 105 squar…
Tips and Precautions Before You Go
Booking ahead is not required, but Paris is the most visited city in the world and you may find there is barely enough t…
A Quick History of France
The land we now call France was once known as Gaul. After its native inhabitants came the Celts, then Roman rule, and th…
Paris Transit Tickets: How to Choose the Right One
Central Paris is compact enough to cover many sights on foot, but pacing yourself matters on a trip, so you'll probably…
Pickpockets and Scams: What to Know Before Your Night Walk
Pickpockets are probably the thing visitors worry about most in Paris. We'd love to say there aren't many, but there are…
Hôtel de Ville: Paris's Stage of Power and Protest
Your first stop is Paris City Hall. If you came by metro, you got off at Hôtel de Ville on Line 1 or 11. Read the way an…
Shopping Near City Hall
Around the Hôtel de Ville you'll find a shopping district anchored by BHV Marais, a department store popular with Parisi…
Le Marais: A Paris of Old-World Lanes
Le Marais sits on the north bank of the Seine, stretching from the Hôtel de Ville to the Bastille opera house and Place…
Paris City Hall: A Monument to the Republic
Our walk through Le Marais starts in front of the Hôtel de Ville, Paris's city hall. Built in the Neo-Renaissance style,…
BHV: Practical Shopping, Parisian Style
Face City Hall and look to your left, and you'll see a building marked "BHV." Pronounced "Bay-Ash-Vay" in French, the na…
The Paris Tourist Office at City Hall
Walk between the BHV department store and City Hall to reach the church of Saint-Gervais-Saint-Protais, tucked behind th…
KB Café, with a View of Sacré-Cœur (and Paris Terrace Culture)
After the walk, it's time for a break. Today's stop is KB Café, a place your guide loves for both its interior and its c…
Martyrs Street: Flowers, Fruit and Bread
Leaving KB Café, take a stroll along Rue des Martyrs. You may even have passed it on the way here. A gently sloping stre…
Lunch in the Marais: Neapolitan Pizza or Sichuan Noodles
Today's lunch is at one of the restaurants your guide has visited most in Paris: Pizzeria Popolare, which serves Neapoli…
French Dining Etiquette Worth Knowing
A French restaurant can feel frustratingly slow at first. Taking your order takes a while, the food takes a while, and e…
Montmartre, the Hill of Martyrs
Montmartre is practically the only real hill in Paris, and its name has two possible origins. "Mont" is French for hill…
The Wall of I Love Yous
The Wall of I Love Yous (Le Mur des je t'aime) is often called the most romantic artwork in Paris. This blue wall, one o…
Bateau-Lavoir, the Artists' "Laundry Boat"
This is Bateau-Lavoir, the lodging house where Picasso, Modigliani, Apollinaire and other artists once lived. The name t…
Picasso's Blue Period and Rose Period
In 1881, a boy was born in Spain: Pablo Picasso. Influenced by his father, a painter and teacher, he drew from an early…
Père-Lachaise: Paris's Largest Cemetery
At 44 hectares, Père-Lachaise is the largest cemetery in Paris. It was originally known as the Eastern Cemetery, and its…
The Tomb of Abelard and Héloïse
The first tomb to visit in Père-Lachaise is the shared grave of Abelard and Héloïse. Héloïse was a French woman who live…
Oscar Wilde's Tomb
The question you will hear most often at Père-Lachaise is probably "Where is Oscar Wilde?" The grave of this hugely popu…
Jim Morrison's Grave
Next, let's head to the grave of Jim Morrison, the American lead singer of the psychedelic rock band The Doors, who was…
What to Expect at a Paris Theatre: A Guide to French Show Etiquette
Heading somewhere unfamiliar isn't always pure excitement, and that's doubly true in a foreign theatre where the languag…
Which Show Should You See?
Worried that the language barrier might keep you from catching a show in Paris? Here are a few ways to enjoy a performan…
How to Book Tickets for Shows in Paris
France offers a huge range of performances, from theatre and opera to musicals, contemporary dance and concerts. Here's…
Do You Love Musicals? French Musicals
The sound just before a show begins, when anticipation swells, is one I love. My parents took me to the theatre often wh…
Reading the Signs: Restaurant, Bistro, Brasserie or Café?
The first thing to know about eating out in France is that not every eatery is the same kind of place. France has Restau…
Dining in France: The Three Magic Words and How to Order
When you arrive at a restaurant, don't just grab an empty table. Wait at the door until a staff member shows you to your…
The Classic French Multi-Course Meal
They say a proper meal in France takes at least two hours. The French love to take their time, but the real reason is si…
Four Meals a Day in France, Goûter Included
In France, think of it as four meals a day, not three. Between breakfast, lunch and dinner there's a national favorite:…
The Table as an Art of Living: French Dining Philosophy
There is a saying in France that a meal is not mere nourishment but an art of living. The French treasure long, relaxed…
How to Choose a Restaurant and Order in France
Overwhelmed by the sheer number of restaurants in Paris, or worried that Parisians will be unfriendly? Start by learning…
A Guide to French Wine and Liqueurs
On a visit to a French friend's home, the friend's father let me taste a drink he had made himself from mirabelle, a swe…
How to Order and Enjoy Wine at a French Restaurant
Once you sit down, a staff member will naturally bring you the drinks menu, which usually includes the wine list. If it…
Where Parisians Shopped Before the Department Store
In Chinese, Japanese and Korean, the word for department store is written with characters meaning "hundred," "goods" and…
Baron Haussmann and the Making of Modern Paris
To understand why the department store was almost inevitable, we need to go back to nineteenth-century Paris. The first…
Social Distinction and the Birth of the Department Store
Just as people today move to big cities for work, in the nineteenth century many headed to Paris to find jobs - and ther…
New Fashion Shops vs. the Arcades
The arcades may have become the shopping malls of Paris, but the shops inside them were actually not much fun to shop in…