When we talk about museums in Paris, many of us immediately think of the Louvre or the Musée d’Orsay. But we’re willing to bet that few of us think of the Cernuschi Museum. Yet this magnificent museum nestled in Paris’s 8th arrondissement is a gem waiting to be discovered!
The Cernuschi Museum, a free museum dedicated to Asian art
Founded by Italian businessman Henri Cernuschi at the end of the 19th century, the Cernuschi Museum houses around 5,000 works of art, mainly from Japan and China. This impressive private collection is the result of Henri’s discoveries during his travels in Asia. Located in his magnificent mansion, which he bequeathed to the city of Paris upon his death, the museum displays a variety of works of art. These include sculptures representing mythological animals such as dragons, vases, prints, and impressive statues such as the huge Buddha of Meguro.
Standing over 4 meters tall, this statue is undoubtedly the museum’s centerpiece. To bring it back to France, it had to be cut into several pieces, transported by boat, and then reassembled. This was quite a technical challenge at the time. Located in the museum’s magnificent ceremonial hall, this Japanese statue is still one of the largest Buddha statues in Europe today.
A temple of Japonism, the museum has inspired many artists and intellectuals of our time, including Monet and Degas. A magnificent museum that is definitely worth a visit.
📍Location: 7 Av. Velasquez, 75008 Paris