around 140 rue du Bac (7th). M Sèvres – Babylone.o MUSÉE D’ORSAY 01 49 54 78 88. Daily: 7.45am-1pm and 2.30pm-7pm. Tues: no midday break. Public holidays (except religious holidays): 8.15am- 12.30pm and 2.30pm-7pm. Closed 2 weeks in Jan. 4PARC RIVES DE SEINE www.chapellenotredamedelamedaille The Rives de Seine are popular with Parisi- miraculeuse.com ans and visitors. On the left bank, the pedes- trian promenade runs from the flight of 7 MUSÉE MAILLOL steps below the Musée d’Orsay up to and beyond the Pont d’Iéna and passes by the Pont Alexandre III, a listed historical mon- ument. Along the riverbanks are sporting facilities,play areas, spots to relax, and places to have something to eat or drink. The riverside promenade also extends to the right bank, over more than 4 kilometres. In Before stepping through the door of the summer, many riverside cafe terraces open. museum, stop to admire the fountain of the 7th. M Assemblée Nationale, Invalides,o Four Seasons, built between 1739 and 1745 Hôtel de Ville. www.paris.fr by Bouchardon. You might want to start your 5MUSÉE RODIN – PARIS tour of the house on the 2nd floor devoted Hidden behind the understated facade lies to the work of Aristide Maillol: sculptures, this jewel of a private mansion, dating from paintings, drawings and tapestries. It is the the 18th century, and housing the perma- largest collection of works by Maillol, an nent collections of the Musée Rodin. As well artist of the Nabi movement and precursor as the sculptor’s masterpieces, several works of abstraction. The ground floor and the 1st by his artist companion Camille Claudel are floor show large exhibitions. also on display. Stroll through the extensive 61 rue de Grenelle (7th). M Rue du Bac.o grounds and discover some of the master’s 01 42 22 59 58. Daily: 10.30am-6.30pm. major works: The Thinker, The Burghers of Fri: open until 8.30pm. Closed between Calais and The Gates of Hell. temporary exhibitions. Full rate: €13.50. 77 rue de Varenne (7th). M Varenne.o www.museemaillol.com 01 44 18 61 10. Daily: 10am-6.30pm, except Mon, 1 Jan, 1 May and 25 Dec. Full rate: €12. plus… www.musee-rodin.fr LE BON MARCHÉ RIVE GAUCHE This Parisian department store, the first to open in Paris, is todaysyoyous with French-style taste and elegance. For fash- ion, furniture and even fine food, it is the realm of the ‘Left Bank’ spirit. 24 rue de Sèvres (7th). M Sèvres –o Babylone. 01 44 39 80 00. www.24s.com 6CHAPELLE NOTRE-DAME DE LA MÉDAILLE MIRACULEUSE MUSÉE DE LA LÉGION D’HONNEUR At the end of a little courtyard lies one of the ET DES ORDRES DE CHEVALERIE most important places of prayer and Catho- Located opposite the Musée d’Orsay, this lic pilgrimage in the French capital. In 1830, museum presents French and international the Virgin Mary appeared here three times to honours and decorative medals from the Catherine Labouré, a young nun, and ordered Middle Ages to the present day. her to cast a protective holy medal. The 2 rue de la Légion d’honneur (7th). medal was connected with miracles. Two hun- M Solférino.o 01 40 62 84 25. dred years later, the fervour is just as strong. www.legiondhonneur.fr 36| THE LEFT BANK