Visit the Rodin Museum in Paris: tickets, prices, opening hours

Come and immerse yourself in the world of Rodin, one of the most important French sculptors of his time!

It’s impossible to mention Rodin without thinking of his remarkable Thinker (1882), one of the many masterpieces housed in the Musée Rodin in Paris. The museum’s rich and varied collection includes not only sculptures, but also drawings, prints, paintings, ceramics, photographs, archives and antiques created or collected by the sculptor throughout his life. You can discover the artist’s past and work as you move from room to room in the Hôtel Biron, before strolling through its sumptuous garden, where impressive statues have been scattered here and there.

Are you tempted? Here’s everything you need to know before visiting the Rodin Museum in Paris!

History of the Rodin Museum

Photo credit: Shutterstock / wjarek

Created in 1916 on the initiative of the sculptor Auguste Rodin (1840-1917) himself, the Rodin Museum in Paris (Hôtel Biron) is one of two sites dedicated to the conservation and dissemination of the artist’s work. The second is the Villa des Brillants and its park in Meudon, where Rodin spent the last 20 years of his life and is buried. These two museums house some 6,800 sculptures, 10,000 photographs, 8,000 drawings and 8,000 other objects and engravings by the artist and collector Rodin.

The Hôtel Biron, built between 1727 and 1737 under the direction of the King’s architect, Jean Aubert, was originally the home of wealthy financier Abraham Peyrenc de Moras. First rented to the Duchesse du Maine, then sold to the future Marshal de Biron and others, the hotel evolved and expanded. But it was not until the early 20th century that a number of artists, including writer Jean Cocteau (1889-1963) and painter Henri Matisse (1869-1954), moved in. In 1908, Rodin discovered the site and rented part of it to set up his studios, before occupying the entire hotel three years later.

In 1911, the estate was purchased by the French state, which, at Rodin’s request in exchange for donations of his works, his royalties and his residence in Meudon, agreed in 1916 to dedicate the site entirely to the artist, under the name Musée Rodin. The museum was inaugurated in 1919, two years after the sculptor’s death.

Since then, the hotel and its garden, listed as historic monuments, have undergone major renovation work to accommodate the thousands of works on display, as well as the ever-increasing number of visitors.

What to see and do at the Rodin Museum in Paris

Photo Credit: Facebook – Musée Rodin

Hotel Biron

The Hôtel Biron, formerly the Hôtel Peyrenc de Moras, is an 18th-century mansion where Rodin lived from 1908. It is the main building of the Musée Rodin in Paris, and houses the artist’s permanent collections (paintings, sculptures in marble, bronze, terracotta and plaster, and antiques by Rodin or collected), as well as some works by his mistress and muse, the French sculptor and painter Camille Claudel.

The tour begins on the first floor with a chronological presentation of Rodin’s works and a reconstruction of the mansion in his time, then continues upstairs, where visitors discover the many facets of the sculptor’s work and delve deeper into his world.

The sculpture garden

The three-hectare sculpture garden is an integral part of the Musée Rodin in Paris. Since its renovation in 1993, it has been divided into two thematic sections: the Jardin d’Orphée to the east, and the Jardin des Sources to the west. Take your time to stroll through this vast garden, which features a rose garden, a flowerbed, a resting area and, as the name suggests, numerous sculptures.

As early as 1908, Rodin was already exhibiting some of his works in this garden. So it’s hardly surprising to find some of the artist’s most famous sculptures in this poetic setting, including Les Bourgeois de Calais (1884-1889), La Porte de l’Enfer (1880-1917) and Le Penseur (1882).

The marble gallery

This gallery, located in the garden, houses Rodin’s marble creations, such as Monument à Victor Hugo (1889) and Mère et Fille Mourante (1910), some of which were never finished (non finito).

The old chapel

Planning a visit to the Rodin Museum in Paris? Take advantage of the opportunity to find out about current temporary exhibitions, and discover new sculptors in the former Chapelle!

Sold in 1820 to three nuns, the estate became an educational establishment for girls, and a number of religious buildings, including the neo-Gothic Chapelle (1876), were erected. Following the dissolution of the religious community in 1904, the chapel was closed and converted into an exhibition hall in 1919. Refurbished and renovated several times, the Chapel now houses an auditorium for temporary exhibitions, as well as the museum’s ticket office, reception desk and gift store.

Are you an art enthusiast or simply won over by your visit? Take home a souvenir from the Rodin Museum store in Paris! You’ll find reproductions of sculptures, miniatures and drawings, as well as books, posters and jewelry.

The café

Located in the heart of the Rodin Museum garden in Paris, this charming café is the ideal place for a sweet or savory break, before or after visiting the museum.

How to get to the Rodin Museum in Paris

Now that you’ve found out all you need to know about the Rodin Museum in Paris, let’s get down to the practicalities. The museum is located in the 7th arrondissement, in the heart of the capital. The easiest way to get there is by public transport:

• Metro: Varenne stop (line 13) or Invalides (line 8)
• RER: Invalides stop (RER C line)
• Bus: 69, 82, 87 or 92

For the more courageous who travel by Velib’ Métropole, there’s a terminal at 9 boulevard des Invalides, less than 200 meters from the museum.

Are you planning to rent a car on site, or do you have your own vehicle? You can park on the Boulevard des Invalides.

Rodin Museum in Paris opening hours and prices

Photo Credit: Shutterstock / Gimas

SCHEDULES

The Rodin Museum in Paris, like its garden, store and café, is open every day except Monday, from 10am to 6.30pm.

Please note that no tickets will be sold after 5.30pm! The museum also closes exceptionally each year on January 1, May 1 and December 25. Opening hours are modified on December 24 and 31 (closing at 4.45pm).

RATES

Before we let you set off to visit the Rodin Museum in Paris, there’s one last piece of practical information we’d like to share with you: prices. So, how much does it cost?

• Adults: €12
• Young people (aged 18-15 outside the European Union): €9
• Free for young European Union residents (up to age 25), disabled people and their companions, jobseekers, RSA recipients, etc.).

Proof of entitlement will be required for all free or reduced-rate tickets. Don’t forget to book your tickets online beforehand, to avoid waiting in line!

Please note: the museum is free for all on the first Sunday of each month, from October 1 to March 31.