What's new in France and the Low Countries for 2015
France and the Low Countries have a wealth of art, history, and taste treats to share with visitors. While you'll never experience it all (thank goodness), if you're up-to-date, you'll get the most out of your time. Here's the sightseeing news for this year.
In Paris, the Picasso Museum has finally reopened after years of renovation. Because of all the hype surrounding its remodel, book tickets online in advance to avoid the lines (note it's no longer covered by the Paris Museum Pass).
The Louvre's iconic pyramid entrance is under renovation until 2016. During this time, expect signage to point the way to the best entrance for visitors to use.
To avoid the long ticket line at the Orsay Museum, purchase tickets (or a Paris Museum Pass) at the newspaper kiosk outside the museum, on the steps below the passholder entry (Entrance C). From the Orsay, you can now stroll or bike the new Left Bank riverside promenade that stretches to Pont de l'Alma.
At the Eiffel Tower, the first level has a new glass floor, theater, eateries, and exhibits describing the tower's construction. A champagne bar has opened on the very top floor. Online ticketing has gotten more convenient, with an option to download a ticket to your mobile phone -- no paper ticket needed.
In Chantilly, the recently renovated horse museum has a beautiful display of equine-related history and art. Museum entry includes a walk through the stables and a dressage demonstration daily in peak season. Horse lovers can pay extra for an equestrian show with riders in frilly outfits and horses prancing to music.
In Rouen, a new Joan of Arc Museum -- featuring various multimedia displays about the country's 15th-century heroine -- opens in February next to the cathedral, at the site of her trial and conviction. At the Airborne Museum in Normandy's Ste-Mere Eglise, a new third wing gives visitors a chance to virtually experience a paratrooper's D-Day night jump.
In the Dordogne region, the Grotte de Font-de-Gaume -- the famous cave with multicolored prehistoric paintings -- is getting harder to visit. Entry is by guided tour, and only 78 visitors are admitted per day. Of these, only 26 spots per day can be reserved in advance (fontdegaume(at)monuments-nationaux.fr). The remaining 52 tickets are sold on a same-day basis -- if you want to visit in summer, arrive at the crack of dawn to be first in line.
In Provence, the Fondation Van Gogh in Arles has moved into its newly restored permanent home, with exhibits on Van Gogh and contemporary artwork that pays homage to the Dutch artist. A fun feature of the building is the kaleidoscopic glass rooftop sculpture by artist Raphael Hefti.
High above Chamonix in the French Alps, the "Step into the Void" glass-box viewpoint at the 12,600-foot-high summit of Aiguille du Midi will be closed for refurbishment until spring 2015, but you'll still be able to see views of Mont Blanc. The lift down to the Italian side is closed, with three replacement stations scheduled to open in 2015.
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(c)2015 RICK STEVES DISTRIBUTED BY TRIBUNE MEDIA SERVICES, INC.
