Street art in Vitry-sur-Seine A veritable open-air museum, Vitry-sur- Seine has become a huge site for artistic expression for hundreds of artists from all over the world like C215, Meushay, Bébar, Brok, Stew and many others. You’ll see works in many streets around the town. Graffiti, stencils, and even mosaics colour the walls of the urban landscape. Guided tours on www.tourisme-valdemarne.com Domaine de Sceaux Jean-Baptiste Colbert, minister to Louis XIV, purchased the estate of Sceaux in 1670. He Musée Fragonard de l’École Nationale commissioned the greatest artists of his Vétérinaire d’Alfort day: Charles Le Brun for the painted interior This cabinet of curiosities presents a unique decor, Antoine Coysevox and François Girar- collection devoted to pet animals (skele- don for the sculptures and André Le Nôtre tons, moulds, natural anomalies) and the for the French-style park. Today, visitors famous Écorchés (flayed figures) of Honoré can rediscover the ‘broderie’ motifs, of box Fragonard (1732-1799). and coloured gravel imagined by the gar- 7 av. du Général de Gaulle. 94700 Maisons-Alfort. dener of Versailles. The chateau (built in the M École vétérinaire de Maisons-Alfort.o nineteenth century on the site of Colbert’s Wed, Thurs, Sat and Sun: 2pm-6pm. Closed chateau, destroyed in 1803) now houses Mon, Tues, Fri, on public holidays and Aug. the permanent collections of the estate’s Full rate: €8 with audio guide. museum. It evokes the history of the Paris www.vet-alfort.fr region, the estate and its successive own- ers. In addition to the chateau, you can visit Île de Loisirs de Créteil the Orangery, completed in 1686 by Jules Just half an hour from Paris by metro, you Hardouin-Mansart, where the sculptures can go fishing, kayaking and windsurfing … from Colbert’ time are conserved; the Pavil- This outdoor activity centre built around a lon de l’Aurore (1672) and cupola painted by lake offers many water sports activities, as Charles Le Brun; the renovated stables; and well as a 1,300 m² pool with waves, water the small chateau, which shows exhibitions slide, paddling pool and fountains, fitness of graphic art. The park itself (181 hectares), trails of different levels,cycling trails and labelled Eve® (ecological green space) and play areas. The perfect spot for outdoor lei- ‘Remarkable Garden’, hosts year-round cul- sure activities on sunny days! tural events. 9 rue Jean Gabin. 94000 Créteil. Domaine Départemental de Sceaux. M Créteil – Préfecture.o 01 48 98 44 56. 92330 Sceaux. RER B Parc de Sceaux. Daily. Swimming pool open from early July to 01 41 87 29 50. Museum: daily, except Mon, early Sept. Free admission. Admission fee for 1 Jan, 1 May and 25 Dec. March to Oct: 2pm- swimming pool. http://creteil.iledeloisirs.fr 6.30pm. Nov to Feb: 1pm-5pm. Museum/full rate: €3. Park: free. http://domaine-de-sceaux.hauts-de-seine.fr 72 IN AND AROUND MONTPARNASSE