Paris has a richatural heritage. .. Home to most famous and majestic museum in the world and the one with the largest largest collection of Impressionist works the city shines with its internationally renowned cultural venues. But it’s also worth noting that the capital abounds in nugget museums, with unusual concepts and settings. Here are just a few surprising examples!
The Museum of the History of Medicine
Housed in one of the wings of Université Paris Cité, this mysterious museum of the history of medicine ticks all the boxes for off-the-beaten-track excursions. Completely hidden from view, this surprisingly beautiful gallery houses all the secrets of the discipline, and is packed with little curiosities.
Museum of the History of Medicine – 12 rue de l’École de Médecine, 75007 France
The House of Balzac
A true bucolic and literary haven of peace turned cultural venue, the Maison de Balzac features objects and furniture belonging to the writer, such as his walking stick or his library. Paintings acquired by the author, a great art lover, are also present in the various rooms. But the interest of the visit doesn’t stop at the building, and you’ll also want to head to Balzac’s home to discover the superb bucolic garden.
Maison de Balzac – 47, rue de Raynouard, 75016
The Fan Museum
The recently rescued musée de l’Éventail is the perfect example of an unusual place with a collection unique in France. This museum houses over 2,500 fans, some dating back to the 16th century, which have been used as props in film, theater and opera, notably by Fanny Ardant in “Ridicule” and Kirsten Dunst in “Marie-Antoinette”. These fans are veritable treasures of the seventh art and can be admired at the museum dedicated to them.
Musée de l’Éventail – Coming soon to the Musée de la Nacre – 51, rue Roger Salengro, Méru
Gustave Moreau Museum
4 floors, 5,000 drawings, 1,300 paintings and watercolors – the figures for the Musée Gustave Moreau speak for themselves. Formerly the artist’s studio, the museum now honors this master of Symbolism by sharing a piece of his dreamlike world with everyone. Les Chimères, Jupiter et Sémélé and Prométhée are among the many works on display. Special mention should be made of the magnificent spiral staircase, much appreciated by photographers.
Musée Gustave Moreau – 14, rue de la Rochefoucauld, 75009 France
Museum of Fairground Arts
The Musée des Arts Forains presents a collection of 20th-century fairground attractions, all housed in a huge warehouse with Eiffel architecture. The works are displayed in three themed salons: Salon de la Musique, Salon de Venise and Salon des Arts forains, the latter featuring fairground games.
Musée des Arts Forains – 53 avenue des Terroirs de France, 75012
The Freemasonry Museum
With its rich history and many twists and turns, the Freemasonry Museum is one of the capital’s most unusual cultural venues. Recently renovated, it awaits you in all its glory, with over 1,300 square meters of exhibition space. Its collections include almost 10,000 pieces and twice as many volumes. Furniture, decorations, jewelry, medals, paintings, manuscripts and engravings, to name but a few, are among the myriad of objects on display in this veritable cabinet of curiosities.
Museum of Freemasonry – 16, rue Cadet, 75009
The Préfecture de Police museum
The Musée de la Préfecture de Police retraces the history of the police in all its forms since its creation, but that’s not all. In addition to the impressive and unique collection of historical objects on display, the museum also features exhibits on the most famous court cases and historic events in French history. The 300 square metre showroom features exhibits, historical archives, lettres de cachet and presentations of the major court cases that have shaken the country over the centuries.
Musée de la Préfecture de Police – 4, rue de la Montagne Sainte-Geneviève, 75005
The Museum of Romantic Life
In our address book jealously guarded, the Musée de la Vie Romantique has a special place in the section dedicated to the 9th arrondissement. Cradle of the Romantic movement, as its name suggests, this still too little-known institution ticks all the boxes of the unusual Parisian location. Visit the heart of the Nouvelle-Athènes district to discover one of its most beautiful jewels.
Musée des Arts et Métiers
The Musée des Arts et Métiers, as well as being an architecturally stunning building, is a unique place to visit. The inventions that today shape our world are on display. A true journey into the past, where the inventors of these objects surely had no idea of the extent to which their creations would change the world. Among its curiosities are the Aeroplane, a Statue of Liberty, the Foucaud pendulum and the first Telstar 1 telecommunications satellite.
Musée des Arts et Métiers – 60 rue Réaumur, 75003
Read also: The Maison de Balzac, a cultural and literary haven in Paris