Musée Rodin
5 minutes readThe Musée Rodin, found in Paris, France, is a museum solely dedicated to displaying the works of French sculptor Auguste Rodin. The museum exists inside an 18th-century mansion, the Hôtel Biron, which was actually Rodin's home and studio in the past. The museum, which was first opened to the public in 1919, houses an impressive collection of more than 6000 sculptures by Rodin, alongside his drawings, photographs, and some of his own personal belongings. This museum stands as an important place for art enthusiasts and historians alike.
Tickets & tours
A selection of the best tours to experience the Musée Rodin with our partner GetYourGuide. These tours offer the best experience for visitors from all around the world.
A short history
The Musée Rodin is a famous museum in Paris, France. It opened for the first time in 1919. This museum is in an old and grand house called the Hôtel Biron. The Hôtel Biron was finished in 1737 and it was a private house. In the early part of the 1900s, the French artist Auguste Rodin used this building for his work.
Rodin is known around the world for his sculptures made from bronze and marble. He started working in the Hôtel Biron in 1908. He created some of his best-known works in this building. Some examples are "The Thinker" and "The Gates of Hell". During his time in the Hôtel Biron, Rodin said he would give all his artworks to the French government. But, he had one condition. He wanted them to turn the Hôtel Biron into a museum for his artwork.
In 1916, the French government said yes to Rodin's idea. Then, it took them three years to organize all the artwork. The collection was not only the sculptures Rodin had made. It also included his paintings, drawings, and photographs. Plus, the museum has works Rodin collected. Some are old Greek sculptures. There are also works by artists who were alive at the same time as Rodin, like Vincent van Gogh and Camille Claudel.
Nowadays, the Musée Rodin is a very popular place to visit in Paris. There are around 6,600 sculptures on show, and many, many other pieces of artwork. People can see where Rodin worked and where he lived in the museum. They can also look at his sculptures in the garden. The museum gives visitors a special chance to see Rodin's life and art where he actually made his famous works.
One reason to visit
The Thinker
The Thinker is a key artwork that you can see if you visit the Musée Rodin in Paris. This sculpture is one of the most recognized across the globe. It was made by Auguste Rodin, a well-known French artist. The Thinker is a sculpture made of bronze, representing a man deep in thought. Its largely seen as a symbol of philosophy. Seeing this artwork in person when youre at the museum could help you appreciate Rodins artistic skill even more. The museum also shows many other works of Rodin. This provides a broad look at the variety of art he created throughout his life.
Getting there
To reach the Musée Rodin on foot from the Eiffel Tower, start by heading southeast on Avenue Gustave Eiffel towards Rue de Monttessuy. Use the walkway through the Champ de Mars park. Continue onto Avenue Charles Risler and then turn right onto Avenue de la Bourdonnais. Take a turn to the left onto Eléonore-Larriot Street, then another turn to the right to reach Avenue Rapp. Continue onto Avenue Bosquet before taking a turn to the left to get on Rue de Grenelle. Walk straight down Rue de Grenelle until you reach the museum at number 79 Rue de Varenne. Please note this is a pleasant walk of approximate 1.9 miles (3.05 kms) and it will take you about 40 minutes.
To get to the Musée Rodin in Paris by bike, firstly, you will need to reach the Rue de Varenne. This road can be accessed from various points in Paris. If you are located in the center, you can take the Rue de Rennes going south and then turn right on Boulevard Raspail. Continue along until its end, then you will find Rue de Varenne on your right. If you are on the other side of the river, you can cross the Pont Alexandre III bridge and continue straight on Avenue de la Bourdonnais. This will also lead you to Rue de Varenne. You should look for the number 77 and there you will find the entrance of the museum. The bike ride should approximately take 10 to 15 minutes depending on your starting point. Riding on bike lanes where available ensures your safety throughout the journey. For parking your bike, there are bike racks available near the entrance of the museum.
To get to the Musée Rodin in Paris by public transport, you can take metro line 13 and get off at the Varenne station or Invalides station. Also, you can take metro line 8 to the La Tour-Maubourg station. For those who prefer to travel by bus, it's possible to take bus 69, 82, 87, or 92. These buses will conveniently drop you off at Varenne - Raspail which is nearby. However, if you're traveling by RER, you need to take line C to the Invalides station. Please note that it's only a short walk from these stations to the museum.
To get to the Musée Rodin in Paris by car, you will want to use the exact address, 77 Rue de Varenne, 75007 Paris, France. Starting from the city center, you will want to go west on the Voie Georges Pompidou, then continue onto the Quai des Tuileries. Turn right at Place de la Concorde onto the Cours la Reine. Continue onto Cours Albert 1er and turn left onto Avenue Franklin Delano Roosevelt. Continue straight onto Avenue des Champs-Élysées, then make a slight right onto Rue Arnauld. Turn left onto Avenue de Tourville, then right onto Avenue Duquesne. Finally, turn left onto Rue de Varenne, and the Musée Rodin will be on your right. Be sure to plan for parking in advance, as parking in Paris can be difficult.
