Paul at exhibition de Byzance a IstanbulParis is hosting an exhibition that will appeal to visitors interested in world cultures: From Byzantium to Istanbul. The exhibition is at the Grand Palais until 25 January 2010.

From Byzantium to Istanbul is organized chronologically, over different periods in the city’s history. Its strengths are: the number of pieces, chiefly from museums in Turkey and in France; and the layout, which affords space for the works and avoids crowding.

The organizers have made available interesting materials online, but it’s in French, as are explanatory texts at the exhibition itself. This having been said, the organizer makes available an audioguide in English, available at the museum or for download in advance.

The exhibition is child-friendly, due to the variety of the artwork on display. I especially appreciated a photographic exhibit of Istanbul’s domes, placed about midway through the exhibition circuit; this made for a great break for younger museum-goers.