The Carnavalet Museum gets a makeover

Closed for more than four years for restoration and renovation work, the Musée Carnavalet has finally reopened its doors. Less than five minutes on foot from the Hôtel des Tournelles, this museum offers a fascinating vision of the history of Paris from prehistory to the present day, through a completely revised and free visitor route. What’s more, the temporary exhibitions are just as interesting. Plan a visit during your summer break in Paris…

The entire history of Paris in one museum

The Musée Carnavalet Museum or, to use its full name, the Musée d’Histoire de Paris – Carnavalet, brings together unique pieces, works of art, artifacts and archives to illustrate the long history of this ancient city. From the dugout canoe found on the banks of the Seine and testifying to the occupation of the site millennia ago, to Voltaire's mortuary chair, by way of the Portrait of Juliette Récamier, the diversity of the collection is exhilarating, bringing to life the poignant events of history and its emblematic characters. You will also be impressed by the beauty of the place. The museum is housed in two mansions, one of which was once the home of Madame de Sévigné. During your visit, the exquisite spaces and sumptuous architectural details will make a profound impression on you.

A visit to the museum

Much of the work carried out by Chatillon Architectes, associated with Snøhetta, and NC (Nathalie Crinière), involved reinventing the visit route. Two introductory rooms have been established. A space is also dedicated to old Parisian shops, enabling the visitor to experience what it was like to walk along a Parisian street during the time of the Ancien Régime. The reception area and visitor circulation within the museum have also been redesigned to ensure a comfortable visit even when the museum is busy. Finally, thematic visits are organised to allow visitors to discover all the richness of the collections, and many workshops are offered to children.

Views of Grand Paris

From June 24th to December 31st, 2022, the Regards sur le Grand Paris exhibition retraces the work of five photographers whose mission was to offer their perspective on this rapidly evolving region. Between 2016 and 2021, they used their skills to reveal a social and political reality and establish a dialogue regarding Paris and its surroundings. This exhibition questions, admires, and shapes a view of both little known and overexposed places. And if all this whets your appetite, you can treat yourself to a satisfying meal break on the terrace of the ephemeral restaurant Fabula, in the gardens of the Musée Carnavalet.

Designed by the prestigious agencies Chatillon Architectes and NC, the new museographic route of the Musée Carnavalet offers a unique immersion in the history of the capital. And don't miss the temporary exhibitions, which are always fascinating. As it’s only a three-minute walk from the Hôtel des Tournelles, you can even go there on a whim to enjoy a gourmet moment in its gardens...

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Photo: PackShot

Hotel Les Tournelles, a 3-star hotel in the heart of the Marais