Thursday, November 13, 2008

A museum for fun


A lot of big cities have their wax museum and Paris makes no exception, of course. Ours is called Le Musée Grévin (after the name of the artist who made the first wax sculptures around 1880 - the museum was inaugurated in 1882) and it's located 10 Boulevard Montmartre, in the former "in" area of Paris. There are about 300 wax characters in there; most of them are French centric (Brigitte Bardot, Charles Aznavour, Michel Drucker (a TV guy) and... of course, Nicolas Sarkozy - since July 2006) but a lot are internationnaly famous (Céline Dion, Jimmy Hendrix, Zinédine Zidane, Tony Blair, Ray Charles...). Kids love this museum and there are big lines on rainy days!

34 comments:

  1. They are fascinating, these places aren't they. I used to love Madame Tussaud's when I was little.

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  2. Oh my. I'm GF !!! Wow it's been a while. I'm thrilled...I'd like to thank Eric, for making this possible... my blog friends for keeping me amused here...my mother for giving birth to me... blah blah... LOL

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  3. I've never been there, but I stayed in a hotel just down the street the very first time I was in Paris...

    Lynn, Congrats on GF!

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  4. Thanks Justine! My crown is made of diamonds (bien sur) and I have earrings, solitaire to match (bien sur). he he.... I'm enjoying this...

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  5. Lynn, I think your crown has to have some sort of miniature wax figure on it. Sarkozy, maybe?

    I've never been to a wax museum. I think I might have nightmares following!

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  6. Oh what a good idea, Suzy. How about Eric? I've always fancied the idea of him on top. lol. Oh goodness I just couldn't help myself sorry..!

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  7. LOL, Lynn! Congrats on GF!

    I will someday visit a wax museum, but haven't up to this time. While in London several years ago, couldn't afford it, and haven't made it back there yet. Someday. This sounds fascinating though.

    When are they going to put your statue in there, Eric?

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  8. I didn't think the French went in for this sort of thing. They have one in San Francisco but I've never been there. I'd like to see the one for Charles Aznavour. He is so expressive, I'd like to see what they did with him.

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  9. I've never been to a wax museum, but I remember the figures from Madame Tussaud's that adorned some of the rooms at Warwick Castle in England. They diminished my enjoyment of the atmosphere of the place! (They'd be better in a museum, I think.)

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  10. Hi...dear friendly friend,

    I just stumbled upon your blog. It was a nice blog about Paris.
    I'm still dreaming that one day I could go to Paris.
    Keep up a good work.

    Cheers!
    locksmith tools

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  11. Lynn -- way to go!
    And Gramma Ann -- I think you got Lynn in one: little minx—perfect!
    Great colors in this one, Eric. We have a wax museum on 42nd Street, but I don't know anyone whose been there. I'm sure there's a wax Barack Obama there already.

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  12. Right in Passage Verdeux, n'est-ce pas? And a couple doors down, the Australian Bar with the ridiculous crocodile on the facade. When passing by this year, it was a wonderful sunny day two days after the picnic and there was a long line of people to get in. Obviously popular no matter the weather.

    I hope you all get together with Christie. Guille still won't tell me where she works, but if you go there to party, have fun!

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  13. Right in Passage Jouffroy, which is the next one to the Passage Verdeau (and near the Aussie bar), that is correct Jeff.

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  14. I'm not a big wax figure fan myself. The pictures I've seen make them look like corpses on pikes. And like Petrea, seeing mannequins in historic displays diminishes the quality of experience as well.

    But hey! This is a beautiful sign, Eric!

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  15. thank mr paris .. one thing is very good for me: as parisian you write english thanks for that .. merci beaucoup ,, lol andrea

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  16. Yep, hands up, Gramma Ann, I admit it; I'm a little minx! Something happens to me at Paree-D-Pee I don't know what it is... normally I'm a shy, retiring type.. :o

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  17. That would be my first choice if I were to visit your city.

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  18. I have fond memories of the Musée Grévin, which I visited when I was in my early teens. I absolutely loved the magic show that the visitors got to see before entering the museum - it was actually half of the fun. I will probably never go again to a wax museum (their entrance fees are abslutely ridiculous) and, yes, I did walk by the Musée Grévin when I was doing my little "passages" walk last June - on the very day that I got to meet Eric and Michael!

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  19. I like this museum, my mother took me there when I was young. But isn't a little bit scary?! I think so.

    Eric I answered in yesterday's comments: Yes it would be nice to meet Carrie and the others. My schedule is quite (ok, awfully) busy, so if we could find a date now,it would be nice... Mail commun?$

    Jeff, I didn't tell you? Really?

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  20. The only wax museum I ever went to was the Hollywood Wax Museum. I went there a few times when I was a teenager. That museum has a lot of class! The displays of the old and famous (and some current) movie stars in their best known movie rolls are just breathtaking.

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  21. Oh boy, I guess I'm a tired girl - I posted about my whirlwind day under yesterday's photo!!! So, if you care, go look there.

    Guille and Eric, thanks for the posts - yeah - let's see if we can set up a date now for a PDP meeting. I'm most flexible, so whatever works for you guys - and whoever elso can come!

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  22. I love paris, it's been almost 15 years since i've been there, regardless, i miss it.
    It's so different than costa rica!
    MuchaCostaRica

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  23. You know, wax figures kinda freak me out a bit. Still, better than the one guy I saw recently who looked like he was made of wax. *shudders* I think I may be able to just suck it up and go visit this museum, though.

    Ok, so soosha_q's hyperventilating a little here. All day I've been running around like a chicken with my head cut off trying to prepare for two things: the bf coming to visit for the weekend tonight and getting everything ready for my externship that starts Monday. Today's my last day of school!!!! I'm so excited.

    So you know what that means, right? Michael does: soosha_q's going to Paris! My friend and I are looking into the beginning of February. Weird time, I know, but we have a good reason for it. Well, a fangirl reason, anyway. OMG I CAN'T WAIT TO GO!!!

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  24. Oh, and Soosha -- woo-hoo! (on all counts)

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  25. Ditto Soosha -- I hope it all works out for you!!

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  26. ohhh Soosha -- I'm so jealous!!
    Wish I was going to Paris:)
    well anyways Have TONS of fun <3

    hmmmm-- I kind of like wax musuems.I've been to the one in NYC Madame Tusuads.And thought it was amazing how much they looked real.For some you couldn't tell if they WERE real or if they were the replica of the person.
    Although, I would love to see the orignal one in London!

    {maybe one day i'll make it there}

    and btw I really love the contrasting colors on this one Eric! Nice composition and angel.

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  27. That's good news, Soosh'!
    It's getting late. MUST I relinquish my crown? :( lol

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  28. Soosha- prices should be lower in February for lodging and airfare. If you are going to be there for a week or more, find an apartment to rent. MUCH less expensive than a hotel and you save money on food (fewer restaurant checks) by buying food for the apartment. Fun shopping, too.

    Go, girl.

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  29. Lynn, congratulations!

    Virginia, Monday!! There may be a PDP gathering - is that a possibility for you? I don't know when you're here, when other's are available, who's schedules are like what = so, I'm just throwing it out there.

    Eric, I tried to email you thru PDP but it wouldn't accept it. So, you all can get me at Carrie.12345@yahoo.com and I should be able to email you direct from there.

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  30. Is there any video about this museum. I like to know the details.

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