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Post by parisianfields on Feb 7, 2011 20:09:26 GMT -5
Most people have no idea that in the southernmost part of the 5th arrondissement is the Val de Grace, a beautifully restored set of 17th-century buildings that are open to the public four days a week. However, since nobody knows about them, you can practically have the place to yourself, as we did a few weeks ago. There is a chapel, a cloister, gorgeous gardens, and a museum of military medicine (more interesting than it probably sounds), and acres of space in golden stone with some stunning vistas. We have posted some photos on our blog at parisianfields.wordpress.com/2011/01/28/hiding-in-plain-sight/Talk about a well-kept secret! |
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Post by janetnj on Feb 7, 2011 23:10:16 GMT -5
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Post by Darcy on Feb 7, 2011 23:33:03 GMT -5
Thanks, parisianfields! I've been aware of it but the To Do list is always so long Val de Grace hasn't made it to the top yet.  |
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Post by Jody on Feb 8, 2011 6:29:57 GMT -5
Oh Darcy move it up. It is a lovely space . We enjoyed the museum and the chapel is lovely. We couldn't find it and an attendent led us to it and explained all the details.
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Post by jo on Feb 8, 2011 6:39:23 GMT -5
Another merci, Parisianfields! I really like your blog and your pictures are stunning. I had missed Laidback's thread since I wasn't on OPF at that time, so now I have several more places to visit on our next trip.
Jo (another Canadian)
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Post by mossie on Feb 8, 2011 9:25:19 GMT -5
Oh dear  Something else to add to the list. Many thanks for showing us this. |
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Post by parisianfields on Feb 8, 2011 17:19:06 GMT -5
One other point: The people in the library (which is open 5 days a week, Mon-Fri, 10 to 6) said we could enter any time from the hospital entrance, but when I tried it, the guy at the entrance said to use the museum entrance, and ring the bell if the museum was not open. I argued and eventually rolled my eyes and started to walk away, but he said, "Oh, you might as well come in." This meant I was able to approach through the garden and enter the back of the building. The library is lovely and I would recommend it for anyone who needs a quiet place to do a bit of work or writing. Once you figure out how to get in, it's free and open to all.
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Post by janetnj on Feb 8, 2011 21:55:14 GMT -5
parisianfields - thanks so much for your post. I've been thinking about Val de Grace all day. I had such a great experience. I was the only one in the church and the guard gave me a personal tour. It was my first outing on my first solo trip to Paris. Gave me the confidence to keep exploring.
I didn't know you could get in through the hospital. I only knew about going in through the Musee du Service de Sante des Armess, which is open Tuesday, Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday from 12-5.
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Post by saintgermain on Oct 18, 2013 8:46:29 GMT -5
parisianfields,
Just saw this :-) Beautiful photos! We've walked past it, but not gone inside. I think it was closed the day we went there. We'll obviously need to go back!
Sandy
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Post by sdtraveller on Oct 19, 2013 14:29:36 GMT -5
We visited there last June, and I posted comments about it.
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Post by saintgermain on Oct 20, 2013 11:20:17 GMT -5
We visited there last June, and I posted comments about it.
sdtraveller,
Will have to visit on one of the days it's open this time :-)
Sandy |
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Post by kerouac on Mar 28, 2014 13:29:24 GMT -5
Parisians just call that area "Austerlitz."
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Post by PariS on Mar 28, 2014 13:56:32 GMT -5
Why's that, K? Seems to me that Austerlitz (gare) and Val de Grace are on opposite ends of the 5th.
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Something else to add to the list.
Let the riot begin! LOL - 
hahahha