around Mobilier National 7Street art in the 13th arrondissement Since 2009, prominent French and for- eign street artists — Shepard Fairey, C215, Seth, Pantónio, Stew, Vhils, Invader, Conor Harrington — have been covering the 13th arrondissement with monumental murals. This joint initiative of the Galerie Itiner- Mobilier rance and the 13th arrondissement town hall has turned the district into an open-air National museum. More than fifty or so urban works are to be seen in the course of a walk or on lesgobelins a guided tour. www.streetart13.fr The Mobilier National, a former furniture storage unit for the monarchy created in 1663 by Louis XIV and Colbert, is now in charge of furnishing the official palaces of the French Republic: the Élysée Palace, ministries … The Manufacture Nationale des Gobelins, whose history dates back to the 15th century, has occupied the current site since the 17th century. It is open for guided tours. Production in these workshops has never stopped, and in 1937, the two enti- 8Cité Internationale Universitaire ties were grouped together on the historic de Paris Gobelins site. Other factories and prestig- The various student residences are well worth ious workshops were put under the man- seeing for their original architecture and agement of the Mobilier National: the Man- huge park. Situated in the south of the cap- ufacture de Beauvais, the Manufacture de ital,the campus extends over 34 hectares, la Savonnerie de Lodève as well as the lace has 37 pavilions (two of which were designed workshops of Alençon and the Puy-en-Velay. by the architect Le Corbusier) and houses Some 100,000 pieces make up this incredi- 12,000 students and researchers of 140 dif- bly rich collection. They can be admired in ferent nationalities. Every Sunday, L/Oblique the Galerie des Gobelins (1914) during tem- offers a themed guided tour (architecture, porary exhibitions that showcases works landscape heritage … ) of this unusual place. from the past and contemporary creations. 17 bd Jourdan (14th). 42 av. des Gobelins (13th). RER B Cité Universitaire. M Gobelins.o 01 76 21 26 96. www.ciup.fr 01 44 08 53 49. www.mobiliernational.culture.gouv.fr 9Parc Montsouris • GALERIE DES GOBELINS: Constructed under the reign of Napoleon III During temporary exhibitions: daily, 11am- and inaugurated in 1869, the Parc Mont- 6pm, except Mon, 1 Jan, 1 May and 25 Dec. souris has a lake, majestic trees and a res- Individual visit/full rate: €8. taurant. Many bird species may be found • MANUFACTURE DES GOBELINS: Guided tours here. Located close to the Cité Universitaire, of the workshops by appointment only. the park is a favourite walking spot for stu- dents. In summer, free concerts are held in the bandstand. 2 rue Gazan (14th). RER B Cité Universitaire. 70 IN AND AROUND MONTPARNASSE