The Louvre, Orsay Museum, the Orangerie, have you already toured all the capital’s major museums and are looking for new places to check out? In this article, we will introduce to you 6 unique museums in Paris which are true Parisian gems, offbeat museums, that only art lovers have heard about:
1. Le Musée Nissim de Camondo
© OTCP/Luc Boegly
Le Musée Nissim de Camondo was established in a magnificent mansion, built in 1912 on the inspiration of the Petit Trianon of Versailles. Moïse de Camondo, banker and collector of 18th-century French decorative arts, set off his collections in this house, today owned by the Musée des Arts Décoratifs. The museum opened under the name of the Nissim de Camondo Museum, in memory of his son, who died during World War II. This unique museums in Paris displays some of the most beautiful acquisitions of the banker, mainly works from the 18th century. Furniture from the reign of Louis XVI, and decorative objects, such as Chinese vases, tapestries, and crystal chandeliers, help to showcase these pieces. A visit to the Nissim de Camondo Museum will transport you to the living environment of a French aristocratic family, full of charm and delicacies. Le Musée Nissim de Camondo: https://madparis.fr/Musee-Nissim-de-Camondo-742
2. Le Musée Bourdelle
© OTCP/Marc Bertrand
Considered one of the most important sculptors of the 20th-century, discover the work of the artist Antoine Bourdelle during a visit of his home and studio. Born in 1861, Bourdelle showed an early inclination for drawing and at the age of 13, worked as an apprentice for his father, a carpenter-cabinetmaker himself. After studying at the Ecole des Beaux-Arts in Toulouse, he finally moved to Paris and sets up in the house where the museum is located today. He joined Rodin’s studio for a few years, before freeing himself to explore his own style. He taught some big names, such as Alberto Giacometti, Vieira da Silva, and Otto Gutfreund. This museum presents the artist’s work through a collection of his sculptures and drawings, displayed in his workshop and garden. Are also showcased works from his personal collection, as well as some of Michel Dufet’s pieces, decorator architect, and Bourdelle’s son-in-law. Le Musée Bourdelle: https://www.bourdelle.paris.fr/en
3. Le Musée Eugène Delacroix
© OTCP/ Nicolas Guiraud
Learn more about the famous painter Eugène Delacroix by visiting his last house and studio. They were turned into a museum in 1932 by the Society of Friends of Eugène Delacroix, whose members are no other than renowned artists such as Maurice Denis and Paul Signac. This unique museums in Paris retraces the work and life of Delacroix through some of his emblematic paintings, such as Madeleine dans le désert, Romeo et Juliet, or Bacchus et un tigre, but also through personal items and pieces of art from artists he inspired. The exhibitions are frequently renewed to display the rich and diverse collections and show all the different aspects of his art. The studio and the apartment overlook a garden that was the joy of the artist. After the visit, you absolutely have to take a tour of the close by Saint-Sulpice church and its chapel painted by Delacroix. Le Musée Delacroix: http://www.musee-delacroix.fr/en/
4. Le Musée Gustave Moreau
This unique museum-studio presents the collections of Gustave Moreau, a symbolist painter of the 19th century. You can discover no less than 1,800 pieces of his work, including paintings, drawings, and watercolors. It was the artist himself who, in 1895, decided to transform his family home into a museum to display his work. With four floors to explore, you will begin the visit on the ground floor. Six rooms display drawings and paintings, bringing together arts of the artist from different eras of his life, from classic works to other more innovative ones. On the first floor are the artist’s apartments with their magnificent furniture and family portraits. On the second and third floors is the studio. A magnificent spiral staircase connects them. The museography of today remains unchanged, following Gustave Moreau’s wishes. Le Musée Gustave Moreau: https://musee-moreau.fr/gustave-moreau-museum
5. Le Musée Cognacq-Jay
© OTPC /Didier Messina
The Cognacq spouses, Ernest Cognacq and Marie-Louise Jaÿ, are a symbol of a social ascension success of the 19th century. Indeed, they went from owners of a small shop on rue du Pont-Neuf to founders of the Grands Magasins de la Samaritaine (la Samaritaine department store). Le Musée Cognacq-Jay is located in the Hôtel Donon, a private mansion in the heart of the Marais district. The collections were brought together by the couple. This unique museum presents pieces of French art from the 18th century: paintings, drawings, sculpturs, fine furniture, porcelain, and other precious objects. Le Musée Cognacq-Jay: https://www.museecognacqjay.paris.fr/en
6. Le Musée Zadkine
Born in 1888, Ossip Zadkine was a Russian sculptor recognized for his technique of direct carving. He began his apprenticeship as a sculptor in London, before settling in Paris. In 1928, he moved into this house, near the Jardin du Luxembourg in the 6ᵉ arrondissement of Paris, which became his home and workshop until his death in 1967. Through sculptures of wood, cement, or stone, as well as drawings, this unique museums in Paris retraces the evolution of the artist, between his first works within the current of primitivism, his brief interest in cubism work, and his works inspired by Antiquity. Don’t leave before having a stroll in the garden, where many sculptures are hiding. Le Musée Zadkine: https://www.zadkine.paris.fr/en
Did your “Museums to visit in Paris” list suddenly got longer? If you need help organizing your trip to the capital, Paris Toujours travel advisors will assist you to make the best of your time in France. Send your request here
