International events: Exhibition on relations between Russia and France mounted in France

The exhibition “Arts and traditions of Russia. Tsars and France. From Peter the Great to Nicholas II” kicked off in Paris within the framework of the Russia-France Year. The exhibition spotlights five Russian monarchs who played a crucial role in development of relations between Russia and France.

Peter I was the first Russian Tsar to pay a visit to France. Catherine the Great admired the thinkers of France, she purchased Voltaire’s library, and was in correspondence with Diderot. The Empress set up the Hermitage and decorated it with the best works by French artists. Following Peter I Alexander II paid a state visit to Paris by the invitation of Napoleon III. Nicholas II travelled to France three times in 1896, 1901 and 1909.

The exhibition was opened by the Ambassador of the Russian Federation to France Alexandr Orlov and the exposition’s curator.

The exposition displays memorial souvenirs, related to the presence of Russians in the homeland of Balzac and Hugo, in particular pictures, documents, porcelain, gold and silver articles, provided either by private collectors or the Russian Embassy collection.

The exhibition will be opened up to October 10.