During the Christmas holidays, and until January 2, 2012, storytelling tours, workshops, and shows are being organized in eleven national monuments in the Île-de-France region as part of the “Contes et Histoires” (Tales and Stories) event.
Monuments participating in the event and activities to enjoy in the coming days:
- In the footsteps of Jean-Jacques Rousseau at the Panthéon. After a tour of the Panthéon’s Nave, children and parents will attend a show featuring excerpts from Rousseau’s Emile, set to stage and music. December 27, 28, 29
- A Thousand and One Tales at the Château de Champs sur Marne. In the castle’s Bedding Salon, children and parents will attend a show based on the oriental tales from the Thousand and One Nights. December 27 to 29
- Horses at the Château de Maisons Laffitte. Children between 6 and 12 years old will discover tales about legendary horses like Pegasus, the winged horse; Bucephalus, Alexander’s horse; Godolphin, the Arabian thoroughbred; and Lisette, the hussar horse. December 26 to 30
- The “House of Delights” at the Domaine national de Saint-Cloud. Cooking workshops, an investigation into a missing gift, and the unusual story of Zarafa, the first giraffe to arrive in France. December 27 to 30
- Maison des Jardies in Sèvres. The guided tour of the venue focuses on the historic house, its décor, and its preserved furnishings. It is followed by storytelling sessions featuring Grimm, Russian, or French tales. December 28 to 29
- Basilica Cathedral of Saint-Denis. Thematic tours, games, storytelling, and workshops offer family-friendly gatherings centered on the theme of Beauty, in partnership with the “Beauty, Morality and Voluptuousness in Oscar Wilde’s England” exhibition organized by the Musée d’Orsay. December 27 to 30
- Musical and storytelling show at the Château de Vincennes. This show is a musical reading where instrument making meets early music, and where stories taken from Grégoire Solotareff’s “Autumn Tales” plunge children into the world of strangely human animals. December 26 to 30
As a bonus, because it’s Christmas, treats and snacks are offered to children in all monuments participating in the event!
Reservation required with the monuments. Presence of an accompanying adult is mandatory. For information, call 01 44 61 21 50 from Monday to Friday.
More info: http://www.monuments-nationaux.fr
Bonus tip for National Monuments:
Free admission for those under 18 and for those under 26 who are nationals of the 27 countries of the European Union or regular non-European residents of France.
I’m also taking advantage of this tip to wish you all a very MERRY CHRISTMAS.
