Is there anything better than visiting a quiet, uncrowded museum filled with fabulous treasures and beautiful period rooms? Well, visiting any museum alone, free to stroll or linger as one pleases makes the experience sublime!
This was the reality of my morning at Musee Carnavalet in Paris. I had not been able to fit this museum into any of my previous visits to La Ville Lumiere, so finding myself free and alone to wander, I headed straight to the Marais to visit this museum which is the oldest municipal museum in Paris, and dedicated to the history of the capital. It is housed inside two famous 16th century Hotels (mansions). I was in heaven!
This was the reality of my morning at Musee Carnavalet in Paris. I had not been able to fit this museum into any of my previous visits to La Ville Lumiere, so finding myself free and alone to wander, I headed straight to the Marais to visit this museum which is the oldest municipal museum in Paris, and dedicated to the history of the capital. It is housed inside two famous 16th century Hotels (mansions). I was in heaven!
During the Second Empire (latter half of the 19th century) when a large part of the historic heart of Paris was being demolished, and the visionary Baron Haussmann, transformed Paris into the city you see today, the idea of opening of a museum dedicated to the history of Paris began to take shape and people looked for a location for this museum.
The Hôtel Carnavalet was purchased by the Municipal Council of Paris in 1866 and it was opened to the public in 1880. When the museum needed expansion due to the growing collection, the adjacent Hôtel Le Peletier de Saint Fargeau was obtained and the addition was opened to the public in 1989.
The Hôtel Carnavalet was purchased by the Municipal Council of Paris in 1866 and it was opened to the public in 1880. When the museum needed expansion due to the growing collection, the adjacent Hôtel Le Peletier de Saint Fargeau was obtained and the addition was opened to the public in 1989.
above photo credit - pariswebtvquartier.fr
The two historic mansions that comprise the Musee Carnavalet are stunning architectural examples of the mansions built during the Ancient Regime.
In 1560, construction of the Hotel Carnavalet, directed by Nicolas Dupuis, was completed. The mansion was built for the President of the Parliament of Paris. In 1578, the widow of Francois de Kernevenoy, (in French; Carnavalet) purchased the building and it became known as the Hotel Carnavalet.
In 1654, renowned French architect Francois Mansart made extensive renovations to the mansion. The last owner to make the mansion their home was famous Parisian and aristocrat, Madame de Sévigné, wife of the Marquis de Sévigné. She was best known for her letters to her daughter, which were made public and eventually made her famous throughout France.
In 1560, construction of the Hotel Carnavalet, directed by Nicolas Dupuis, was completed. The mansion was built for the President of the Parliament of Paris. In 1578, the widow of Francois de Kernevenoy, (in French; Carnavalet) purchased the building and it became known as the Hotel Carnavalet.
In 1654, renowned French architect Francois Mansart made extensive renovations to the mansion. The last owner to make the mansion their home was famous Parisian and aristocrat, Madame de Sévigné, wife of the Marquis de Sévigné. She was best known for her letters to her daughter, which were made public and eventually made her famous throughout France.
The Hôtel Le Peletier de Saint Fargeau was also built in the middle of the 16th century. It was originally known as the Hôtel d’Orgeval. It was purchased by Michel Le Peletier and passed on eventually to his grandson, who was a representative of the nobility during the French Revolution’s Estates-General of 1789.
In 1793, Le Peletier de Saint Fargeau voted for the execution of Louis XVI and was murdered, in revenge for his vote, the same day of the execution of the king on January 20, 1793.
In 1793, Le Peletier de Saint Fargeau voted for the execution of Louis XVI and was murdered, in revenge for his vote, the same day of the execution of the king on January 20, 1793.
While the mansions themselves have an impressive history, the interior museum collection is amazing.
As planned by city officials way back in the 19th century, the story of Paris unfolds inside the museum rooms. The exhibits show the transformation from Gallo-Roman times, through early settlement and the village of Lutèce, which was inhabited by the Parisii tribes, through the great events of French history, culture and art to the grand city of today.
As planned by city officials way back in the 19th century, the story of Paris unfolds inside the museum rooms. The exhibits show the transformation from Gallo-Roman times, through early settlement and the village of Lutèce, which was inhabited by the Parisii tribes, through the great events of French history, culture and art to the grand city of today.
above photo credit - http://www.carnavalet.paris.fr/en/museum-carnavalet/hotel-carnavalet
Inside each of the mansions, entire rooms have been recreated to reflect a particular time period. The rooms are a series of complete interior design schemes salvaged from destroyed or renovated buildings and display the development of Paris interiors from the seventeenth century through the Belle Epoque and into the twentieth century.
The rooms include an eighteenth century Louis XIV salon decorated with ornate gold-leaf paneling and a lilac Louis XV room with paneling from the Hôtel de Broglie. You'll also find a recreated early twentieth century ballroom with large murals from Paris' Hôtel de Wendel.
The rooms include an eighteenth century Louis XIV salon decorated with ornate gold-leaf paneling and a lilac Louis XV room with paneling from the Hôtel de Broglie. You'll also find a recreated early twentieth century ballroom with large murals from Paris' Hôtel de Wendel.
above photo credit - http://www.carnavalet.paris.fr
above photo credit - Thesupermat via Wikimedia Commons
Georges Fouquet’s stunning Art Nouveau jewelry shop from the Rue Royal is absolutely stunning with its flowing organic display cases, fireplaces and decorative bronze figures and jewel-like stained glass.
Rooms have also been re-created to show the private lives of famous Parisians. These spaces allow you to imagine historic figures such as the Marquise de Sévigné at her Chinese lacquer work desk penning her famous letters, or Marcel Proust in his bedroom, writing at his little table.
One of my favorite parts of the museum was the collection of landscapes, history paintings and portraits depicting Paris through the ages and the gorgeous scenes of the Belle Epoque. I could have spent days lingering among these wonderful works of art.
The Napoleon collection displaying paintings, sculpture, personal items and even a ceremonial breast-plate, was particularly fascinating!
The Napoleon collection displaying paintings, sculpture, personal items and even a ceremonial breast-plate, was particularly fascinating!
The Belle Epoque was a period in the European history that dates from approximately 1871 and ending when WWI began in 1914. It was a period characterized by optimism, new technology and scientific discoveries. The peace and prosperity in Paris allowed the arts to flourish, allowing for the creation of many masterpieces of literature, music, theater, and visual art. You can really feel the exuberance of the times by looking at the paintings from that period.
Being almost alone in the Musee Carnavalet was one of the best experiences I’ve had in a long time and definitely reinforces my view that off-season traveling gives you the chance to experience more authentic and memorable experiences during your journeys. You shouldn’t miss exploring this museum and its extensive collection which brings the history of Paris to life!
Hôtel Carnavalet
16, rue des Francs-Bourgeois
75003 Paris
Tel : 01 44 59 58 58
Fax : 01 44 59 58 11
16, rue des Francs-Bourgeois
75003 Paris
Tel : 01 44 59 58 58
Fax : 01 44 59 58 11
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