Musée Carnavalet

The Musée Carnavalet is dedicated to the history of Paris and its inhabitants and houses collections tracing the development of the city from prehistoric times to the present day.

A huge selection of works of art, mementos and scale models is on display in over 100 galleries, showing how the city looked in different eras and conjuring up its everyday and intellectual life. The magnificent reconstructed historic room interiors provide an inspiring backdrop as visitors enjoy a rewarding stroll through the centuries.

The buildings and gardens

One museum in two town houses

The museum buildings date from different eras. The Hôtel Carnavalet is one of the most outstanding examples of architecture to be found in the Marais district. Work started on the building in 1548 and a magnificent decorative sculpture representing the Seasons was created for the facade at the end of the courtyard by Jean Goujon’s workshop. In 1578, the town house was bought by the widow of François de Kernevenoy, dubbed Carnavalet by Parisians.

From 1660 onwards, the architect François Mansart raised the side wings and refurbished the frontage. The building was purchased by the City of Paris in 1866 and extended around its garden to house the municipal collections, which were put on public display in 1880.

In 1989, the museum expanded into the Hôtel Le Peletier Saint-Fargeau. In addition to its magnificent staircase, it boasts one of the last two remaining orangeries in the Marais district which now houses the archaeological collection.

A garden-cum-museum

In the late nineteenth century, architectural elements salvaged during demolition work in the old quarters of Paris were used to extend the museum around the gardens: the Pavillon des Marchands Drapiers (Merchant Drapers’ house, 1660), the central block of Hôtel de Choiseul, and the Arc de Nazareth, a Renaissance structure from the Île de la Cité, which provides a doorway into the garden. The Victory statue is the original version of the statue which tops the Châtelet column.

Musée Carnavalet Museum
Map Map
03 Le Marais Zoom in 03 Le Marais Zoom out

23, rue de Sévigné

75003 Paris

T. 01 44 59 58 58 — F. 01 44 59 58 11

Official website

Saint-Paul

Opening hours

Every day except Monday, 10 AM – 6 PM
Except public holidays, Easter Sunday and Whit Sunday

Admission fee

Permanent collections and themed exhibitions : free admission

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