To celebrate 150 years of the Association amicale franco-japonaise, the Parc de Bagatelle joins forces with the Bunka Gakuen Foundation in Tokyo to present an exhibition of sixty beautiful kimonos…

photo by Fine Rain used under cc licence


The original design dates from the 15th Century, but the kimono is still manufactured today (Yohji Yamamoto studied at the Bunka Gajuen, for example). The exhibition is split into two main sections:

– In the Trianon you will be able to see kimonos for all seasons and others – more ornate – made for special occasions such as marriages.
– In the gallery are more rare examples, often in silk or hand painted by famous artists.

photo by Compound Eye used under cc licence

And in the gallery ay 3pm on the 14th & 15th June, a kimono master will explain the art of wearing a kimono. All this in the beautiful surrounding of the Bagatelle gardens (if you haven’t seen them, you should go!).

photo by Okinawa Soba used under cc licence and taken from a fascinating set of stereoscopic images of Japan taken at very beginning of the 20th Century, not to be missed. Take a look here.

Here’s all the essential information for the kimono exhibition at the Parc de Bagatelle

When: 15th May – 16th July 2008
Where: Parc de Bagatelle (in the gallery and Trianon), entry at the corner of Route de Sèvres-à-Neuilly and allée de Longchamp in the Bois de Boulogne, 16th arrondissement, Paris. Métro pont de Neuilly (line 1) then bus n° 43, or métro porte Maillot (line 1, RER line C), then bus n° 244, or métro porte d’Auteuil (line 10), then bus n° 241
Opening hours: open every day from 11am – 7pm
Admission: Adults 3 euros, concessions 1.5 euros, free for kids under 7 years old
More info (in French): here

Bigger map here