Paris & London: Architecture & Urbanism Program Paris Activity Guide Summer 2018 Boston University Paris 3 bis, rue Jean Pierre-Bloch, 75015 Paris tel. 01 45 66 59 49 www.bu.edu/paris
Pavillon de l'arsenal Take a guided visit of the Pavillon de l'arsenal, where you will experience the Paris of today and the Paris of tomorrow. The permanent exhibit, Paris: The Metropole and its Plans, presents the history of Paris urban development from multiple perspectives and features an interactive 2D/3D model of the city and region created using collaborative technology. When: Thursday, June 7th, 11:00am Where: Meet directly at the Pavillon or meet at dorm lobby at 10:00am (21 Boulevard Morland, 75004 Paris, metro line 7, stop Sully-Morland). It is very important to be on time!
Versailles Palace and Gardens Experience the center of 17 th and 18 th century royalty and aristocracy with a visit to the Château de Versailles and the surrounding gardens, a marvel of both interior and exterior design. You can take some extra time to visit the domain of Marie Antoinette, which includes a smaller private palace, a fully functioning farm, and an artificial hamlet. When: Tuesday, June 12th, 10:00am Where: Meet at dorm lobby at 8:15am What to bring: Your monthly Metro pass, sunscreen, and a picnic lunch (or plan to buy something there for 8-10 euros); don t over-pack! Visitors may not bring large bags into the palace. PLEASE NOTE: This is a full day trip! Plan on at least 1.5 hours to get to the château, and two hours each to visit the palace and the gardens (and longer if you visit the domain of Marie Antoinette).
Père Lachaise Cemetery Père Lachaise Cemetery is the final resting place of some of the greatest artists, writers, musicians, and architects in history. Originally built to relieve the crowded cemeteries in the city center in 1804, Père Lachaise has since become a city in and of itself, with over one million residents. After a 1-hour tour of a selection of gravesites, including Oscar Wilde, Honoré de Balzac, and Jim Morrison, students will be free to wander this peaceful and oddly charming other Paris. When: Thursday, June 14, 10:00am Where: Meet outside of the Père Lachaise metro stop (lines 2+3), Ménilmontant exit or meet at dorm lobby at 9:15am Cost: The cemetery is free to visit.
Walk through La Défense Experience life outside of Paris proper and visit the quartier de la Défense the financial center located just across the Seine. More than a booming business neighborhood, La Défense is also a site where contemporary architecture and art mix. Here, you will find American-style skyscrapers and straight, modern lines that are often absent from central Paris. When: Tuesday, June 19th, 6:00pm Where: Métro Esplanade de la Défense (line 1); roughly 30 minutes from BU; or meet at dorm lobby at 5:00pm Fondation Louis Vuitton Fondation Louis Vuitton is an art museum and cultural center, designed by the famous architect Frank Gehry. You will be able to individually visit the exhibition In Tune with the World showcasing the museum s new art collection, including works by Takeshi Murakami, Matthew Barney, Henri Matisse, Gerhard Richter, and Philippe Parreno. You can also check out the permanent collection (including Frank Gehry, The Fondation Louis Vuitton, where you can discover the building s architectural plans and the work of artist Olafur Eliasson in the Grotto). We will take a walk around the building to see different views of the architecture and you are free to join mini group tours of the building on your own. You can arrive early or stay later to explore the surrounding park of Bois de Boulogne, which includes different gardens, lakes, waterfalls, and
the Château de Bagatelle. When: Thursday, June 21st, 12:00pm Where: Meet directly at the entrance of Fondation Louis Vuitton: 8 Avenue du Mahatma Gandhi, Bois de Boulogne, 75116 Paris (take metro line 1 to Les Sablons; go through the Fondation Louis Vuitton exit and walk about 10-15 minutes to reach the museum) or meet at dorm lobby at 11:00am What to bring: Sunscreen and a picnic lunch. You may need to check your bag with food at the museum. General Info What do I need to do? Please confirm your attendance by 3pm the day before the visit (at the very latest).to confirm, email Julia (juliapiv@bu.edu) with the name of the activity in the subject line. Julia will confirm the attendance list and send an email with more specific information the evening before each activity. How long do the visits last? Most activities and guided tours will last an hour, not including transportation. Students are encouraged to go on the guided visit, and then to continue with a free visit afterwards. Do I need to bring anything? Wear good walking shoes. Bring an umbrella. Bring sunscreen if we are going to be outside. In general, don t over-pack carrying around a heavy bag can be cumbersome and most sites do not allow them. Tote bags should be fine, but may need to be checked at museums. Contact information: Julia Pivniouk, Academic Graduate Assistant juliapiv@bu.edu Cell phone: 06 65 97 42 00