If you’re fascinated by the literary aspect of Paris, the Left Financial institution neighbourhoods close to our motels are a great place to start out – over the centuries, Saint-Germain-des-Prés has been a gathering place for folks as numerous as Simone de Beauvoir, Jean-Paul Sartre, Ernest Hemingway, Jack Kerouac, James Joyce, Brecht, the Marquis de Sade, Victor Hugo and extra.
Nonetheless, for tradition and historical past followers, exploring additional afield throughout city may also have its advantages, as not all of those luminaires lived close by, and in case you loved seeing August Comte’s house on the left financial institution, you’ll adore the one remaining preserved residence of Honoré de Balzac on the best financial institution.
We jumped on the metro and alighted within the stylish neighbourhood of Passy to go to la Maison de Balzac – Balzac’s home, restored in 2019 and one of many museums belonging to the Paris metropolis council (which means that it’s free to enter every time there’s no momentary exhibition on).
This candy little place with a hidden backyard and consider of the Eiffel Tower was a really good shock…
The Maison de Balzac is at a decrease stage than the road, and the one construction tyou can see when arriving is the brand new ticket workplace and bookshop. There are stairs down (and a elevate) that result in the backyard, home and Rose Bakery tea room that has the identical opening hours because the museum (each day besides Mondays from 10am-6pm).
When you arrive on the decrease stage, the total expanse of the backyard reveals itself. It’s a really calm house with a great view of the Eiffel Tower, and entrance is solely free – you may benefit from the solar right here, and maybe have a espresso. We’re guessing that it’s significantly well-liked in the summertime.
The home itself seems to be pretty small and is unfold over one stage (aside from a basement stage used for the momentary exhibitions), with the unique flooring preserved and Balzac’s workplace recreated.
The day of our go to, unluckily there have been two guided visits being performed on the identical time, making transferring from room to room quite sophisticated, however it is a uncommon occurence, and with somewhat endurance you probably received’t encounter any drawback.
Additionally, now we have to reward the museum workers – they have been so variety and useful, which isn’t at all times the case in Paris!
As you progress by way of the museum’s 5 rooms, you’ll be taught that Balzac lived there close to the top of his life, between 1840 and 1847 (when Passy was nonetheless a village outdoors of Paris!), with explanations about his life, his beginnings – a novel written on the age of twenty-two underneath the identify of Lord R’Hoone – and his most well-known works (reminiscent of la Comédie humaine which has its personal room, that includes the woodblocks used to print the pictures).
We learnt that Balzac was not solely a author, but in addition a horrible businessman. He owned a bookstore and have become a writer in 1825 earlier than investing in a printing works the next 12 months and going backrupt not lengthy after.
And in March 1850 he married the Countess Hańska after courting her for 17 years (virtually actually for her cash, as by this level he was ruined and in very dangerous well being).
5 months later, he was useless. If you wish to go to his tomb, it’s within the Père-Lachaise cemetery.
The rooms are painted in pretty trendy tones, as throughout ‘restoration’ within the very early twentieth century the unique wallpaper was destroyed, however Balzac’s workplace is offered as it might have been again then, together with his work desk, bookcase and a really flamboyant fire mantle in sculpted wooden.
Balzac was satisfied that this was a masterpiece price much more than he had paid for it, however sadly this isn’t the case – it’s really made up of a number of wood elements from the seventeenth and 18th centuries that have been then assembled within the early nineteenth century.
Regardless of being a ‘faux’, it’s a powerful piece and the one identified instance of its variety.
If this room feels small to you, simply wait till you see the kitchen, the final room to go to earlier than leaving! It appears unlikely that Balzac ever cooked up a storm right here, nevertheless it’s stunning fundamental nonetheless.
We actually beloved our go to to the Maison de Balzac, and it’s not one thing that solely literary lovers will get pleasure from.
Earlier than or after, be at liberty to discover the realm across the museum too – there are very genuine Parisian streets and a few uncommon views of the Eiffel Tower that can delight your Instagram followers!
The Maison de Balzac (right here) is open each day besides Mondays from 10am-6pm
Closed 1st Could, twenty fifth December and 1st January
Admission: 9€ / 7€ / free for under-18s (and others). Entrance free between momentary exhibitions. Backyard free for everybody
On-line tickets right here
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