London – Paris

Art & Architecture

Program

Paris Activity Guide

Summer 2013

Boston University Paris

3 bis, rue Jean Pierre-Bloch, 75015 Paris

tel. 01 45 66 59 49 www.bu.edu/paris

Photo: http://www.johnchiappone.com/hum_chapter3.html

Walk and evening in the Arènes de Lutèce

Discover the most important remains of the Gallo-Roman era hidden within the Latin Quarter. Constructed in the first century AD, this amphitheater was the showcase for gladiators and fights. Now, it is a public park with ample seating for picnics and an ideal terrain for playing pétanque (French version of bocce). Enjoy a picnic in the sun while also discovering some treats of French cuisine. RDV: Tuesday 18 June, 18h30. Métro Cardinal Lemoine (line 10). Bring a sandwich or other picnic dinner. We'll start with a walk up rue Mouffetard where you can buy a dessert or other treat, and picnic in the Arènes de Lutèce, to last as long as there are people (but count on about an hour).

“Re-architecture” at the Pavillon de l'Arsenal Take a guided visit of the Pavillon de l'Arsenal, where you will experience the Paris of today and the Paris of tomorrow. The permanent exhibit, “Paris and its evolution”, presents the architectural history of Paris from the beginning to the end of the 20th century. The current temporary exhibit, “Re-architecture” displays the proposals of 15 different up-and-coming European

architects in various world cities and the effects of these projects on urban life. RDV: Wednesday 19 June, 14h. Main entrance. Métro Bastille (lines 1, 5, 7, 8)

Medieval Art at the Musée de Cluny, and the

Roman Baths The National Museum of the Middle Ages is housed in the old hôtel of the Abbots of Cluny, where construction began in 1334 and was then rebuilt between 1485 and 1510. The building itself is a combination of Gothic and Renaissance architecture, and the museum collection contains the six tapestries of “La Dame à la licorne” (The

Lady and the Unicorn), considered one of the most important works of medieval art. The building which houses the museum is also built upon the ruins of gallo-roman baths, which you can also visit. RDV: Thursday 20 June, 14h, Front entrance to museum, inside courtyard. Métro Cluny La Sorbonne or Saint-Michel (lines 10 or 4).

Saint-Denis Basilica and the

restorations of Viollet-le-Duc Visit the sites of one of the most well-known architects of the 19th century. Eugène Violet-le-Duc participated in the restoration of many famous Parisian monuments, like Notre-Dame de Paris, the Saint-Denis basilica, and the Château de Vincennes, to name a few.

His style of architecture was far from historical – as he once stated that restoration was a “means to reestablish [a building] to a finished state, which may in fact never have actually existed at any given time.” His view of architecture, and this of history, as able to be shaped and interpreted as to create a more perfect work, was as controversial in his day as it is now. However, his view also gives great insight into the other arts and how they looked at history during the 19th century. RDV: Friday, 21 June, 14h30. In front of the Basilica, métro Basilique de Saint-Denis (line 13).

Château of Ecouen and the National Museum of Renaissance Art

The castle, built between 1538-1550 by Anne de Montmorencey, is one of the first-thought uses of the giant order by architect Jean Bullant. Aside from its architectural importance, the castle now houses the National Renaissance Museum, the only museum in France dedicated solely to Renaissance art. Using artwork from the Musée de Cluny

collection, it is a unique opportunity to see artwork and historical context coincide. Amongst its many works, the most famous piece is a set of tapestries telling the story of David and Bathsheba. A walk and lunch in the quaint village of Ecouen will complete this time travel back to the Renaissance.

RDV: Monday 24 June, 10h, Gare du Nord station. Return to Paris by 16h-17h. Cost: R/T train ticket 8€.

The Catacombs Discover underground Paris, literally! Underneath the City of Lights are the Catacombs, miles of winding tunnels, formerly the stone quarries that provided the unified colored limestone that you see in most of old Paris construction, now lined with the bones of centuries ago.

Overcrowded cemeteries within the city limits became a health hazard, and remains were moved into these tunnels beginning in the late 18th century. They have been a macabre tourist attraction ever since the early 18th century and are still a source on intrigue for Parisians and tourists alike. RDV: Tuesday, 25 June, 14h. Métro Denfert-Rochereau. Visit lasts about 1 hour.

Le Louvre:

Painting during the Ancien Régime

Go on a guided visit of the Louvre and learn about painting under the Ancien Régime. The monarchy not only had the power to create and enforce laws, but was a significant force in every aspect of life, including the arts. On this visit, hear how François I was a real patron of the arts, and discuss the influence of Louis XIV, the Sun King, on art during his reign. Recognize the inescapable power of the French monarchy and how it shaped the world of painting for centuries. RDV: Wednesday 26 June, 14h. Carrousel du Louvre entrance to Museum; take metro to Palais Royal-Musée du Louvre (lines 1 & 7) and follow underground entrance. Students are encouraged to attend guided visit (approx. 1 hour) and then continue with an unaccompanied visit.

Contemporary Parisian Transportation Policy & Urbanism With Alain Boulanger. This activity will start off with a short in-class presentation on contemporary Parisian transportation policy and urbanism , followed by a bike tour to visit the Maison de Vélo and a variety of sites in the city.

RDV: Monday, 1 July, 13h30 at BU. Plan on 3 hours.

The 104, the Parc de la Villette, and the Buttes

Chaumont Discover Northeast Paris – both historic and romanticized, modern and reinvented. We'll start with a morning walk in the Buttes Chaumont, a 19th century fairy tale of a park, and still one of the most beautiful oases in the city. From there, we'll walk to the CentQuatre (104), formerly the city morgue recently transformed into an experimental, multi-purpose space for artistic creation and community. We'll have lunch in the 104's Café Caché (if we can

find it!) and relax on their calm covered terrace. After, we'll continue on to the Parc de la Villette and check out its beautiful canal-side green spaces and larger-than-life art photo exhibit. RDV: Wednesday, 3 July, 10h at Avenue Simon Bolivar entrance to Buttes Chaumont Park. We should finish up at la Villette by 15h.

Cité de l’Architecture & du Patrimoine

« Vers de nouveaux logements sociaux, 2 »

“Today, housing remains the fundamental question for urban management. How can we succeed in further invention in a sector so constrained by all kinds of norms and rules, or in transcending economic logic, and the banality it produces, in order to make solutions emerge and clear the way for new experimentation? This is the second edition of an exhibition devoted to the current revolution of social habitats in France RDV: Friday, 5 July, 14h, at Cité de l’Architecture & du Patrimoine, Palais du Chaillot entrance. Métro Trocadéro.

Walk through la Défense Experience life outside of Paris proper and visit the quartier de la Défense – the financial center located just across the Seine. Not only a booming business neighborhood, La Défense is also a site where contemporary architecture and art can mix. Here, you will find American-

style skyscrapers and straight, modern lines, which are often absent from downtown Paris. RDV: Monday, 8 July, 14h, métro Esplanade de la Défense (line 1), about an hour.

Additional Information For some activities, your presence is compulsory. However, for most, it is optional. Even if activities are optional, students are encouraged to attend as many as possible.

Sign-up sheets will be posted on the activity board one week before the activity. If you sign up, you must come. Much preparation goes into these activities, so be sure you can attend before signing up. Sign-up and changes in sign-ups will stop the last class day before the activity. There must be a minimum of 2 students for an activity to take place. Please bring your student ID and passport as many events are free for those under 26.

Most activities and guided tours will last an hour, not including transportation. Students are encouraged to go on the guided visit, and then to continue with a free visit afterwards.

In general, and particularly for longer excursions, students are encouraged to bring whatever food, snacks and drinks they will need. Still, be careful not to pack too much – it is difficult to get into museums with food and it must therefore be placed in your bag. Students are also welcome to buy food at the location, but be careful about high prices and small choice.

Students attending a certain activity will receive a more detailed email 2 days before not only reminding them of the information found in this brochure, but also to give more details about transportation, preparation, and flow of the visit. There is a list of complementary activities available for students who would like to focus on one particular area of study. These visits are not sponsored by BU and are therefore unaccompanied and must be planned by the student(s). If you have questions, problems or need to contact the assistants before activities, use the following information:

Sandra Rogosic, Academic Graduate Assistant sandyrog@bu.edu 06 14 43 94 38

Julia Zelman, Administrative Graduate Assistant

joule@bu.edu 06 74 02 82 98