Musée Carnavalet (Paris)

https://www.carnavalet.paris.fr/en

The history of Paris is long and complicated with centuries of war, siege, pestilence, and royalty. The newly remodeled Musée Carnavalet in Paris is the best way to walk through the thousands of years that made Paris the City of Lights. 

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History

A Celtic tribe called Parisii founded a settlement between 250-225 BC on the banks of what would eventually be called the Seine River, and as the years rolled by, the settlement grew into the world-class city of Paris. It has withstood wars, occupations, sieges, revolutions, and more over the centuries to be considered one of the most cosmopolitan capitals of the world. 

The Musée Carnavalet tells the history of Paris in a compelling way through thousands of artifacts and priceless art. The museum began in the mid-19th century as Baron Haussmann, who was charged by Napoleon III to transform the city’s ramshackle medieval buildings into a grand architecture, decided to create a museum about the history of Paris (history which ironically he was tearing down!). Two mansions from the mid-16th century in the Marais district eventually housed the museum, which underwent an extensive renovation in 2017-2021. 

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Visit

The Musée Carnavalet is a beautiful and important museum to see on any trip to Paris. The museum is free so you can pop in for as little or as long as you’d like! Located in the Marais district, it’s within easy walking distance of popular tourist spots like Place des Vosges and the Picasso Museum. 

The true beauty of the museum made up of several townhomes can’t be captured on film! It’s beautiful!

I visited this museum before its extensive renovations, so I was amazed at the transformation when I visited again in 2023. The rooms are bright and airy with well-spaced exhibits and English placards. With so much reading, it’s best for older kids (middle school and older). The museum is spread out over multiple floors and buildings so be sure to take a look at the map before your visit.

The main level takes you through the whimsical gallery of shop signs before starting the tour upstairs with artifacts from the 16th century. Wind your way through the rooms with beautiful rooms full of art and important items from history.

I especially like the rooms from the 18th century.

With kids, go directly to the 2nd floor (really 3rd in American terms). This is where you’ll find the French Revolution exhibits. 

I found these guillotine earrings interesting!

The portraits of Marie Antoinette in prison were haunting (and don’t miss visiting the Conciergerie where she was actually held!). 

There is a chilling recreation of her prison cell and a painting depicting her leaving the Conciergerie.

The next rooms house the Napoleon and Josephine artifacts. 

The rest of the museum has many items from the late 19th century from such literary luminaries like Proust. 

There is not a whole lot about the war years but I did find a few artifacts about WWII. I would have loved even more but the war artifacts are mostly at Musée de l’Armée Invalides which is a must-see!

If you have time, drop into the basement to see the prehistoric artifacts (skippable if you’re running short on time). 

Don’t miss the excellent gift shop before you leave! 

The Carnavalet Museum is a worthwhile stop on any trip to Paris to learn more about this complex and ever-changing city. Add it to your list to visit on your next trip!

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Helpful hints:

• Cost: Free
• Recommended: 10 and up
• Tour time: 1 hour
• Gift shop located onsite
• Transportation: The museum is within easy walking distance of the main tourist areas of Paris. The nearest Metro stop is St-Paul.
• Dining options: The museum has a cafe with a lovely courtyard. If it’s a nice day, eat here! It’s also close to the quaint restaurants of the Place des Vosges. We enjoyed our lunch at one of the little restaurants dotting the park. 
• Nearby hotels: Read my Paris guide for my recommendations! The museum is located in the Marais district where the Hotel Pavillon de la Reine looks amazing!
• Nearby attractions include: Picasso Museum, Place des Vosges, Place de la Bastille, and Mémorial de la Shoah (Holocaust memorial and museum)

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Books to Read:

There are too many books about the history of Paris to list here! I have tried to give you some of my favorites below.

All links are Amazon affiliate links. You can visit my Bookshop.org shop to support independent bookstores and creators. 

Adult/Young Adult

• Nonfiction:
  • How Paris Became Paris: The Invention of the Modern City
  • Paris, City of Dreams: Napoleon III, Baron Haussmann, and the Creation of Paris
  • The Seine: The River that Made Paris
• Fiction:
  • Paris: The Novel
  • Where the Light Falls: A Novel of the French Revolution
  • Ribbons of Scarlet: A Novel of the French Revolution’s Women
  • The House I Loved
  • The Paris Wife
• WWII books:
  • Nonfiction:
    • Les Parisiennes: How the Women of Paris Lived, Loved, and Died Under Nazi Occupation
  • Fiction:
    • Suite Française
    • The Invisible Woman: A WWII Novel
    • The Paris Daughter
    • The Paris Library: A Novel

Middle Grade

• Mission Paris: A Scavenger Hunt Adventure
• Lonely Planet Kids City Trails – Paris
• Tunnel of Bones (City of Ghosts #2) 
• Blade and Bone
• The Lacemaker and the Princess
• In the Reign of Terror: A Story of the French Revolution 
• The Invention of Hugo Cabret
• City Spies
• The Family Under the Bridge
• Rooftoppers
• A Whale in Paris
• Paris hide-and-seek
• Who Was Joan of Arc?
• Marie Antoinette 
• Who was Marie Antionette?
• Who Was Napoleon? 
• The Girl and the Cathedral: The Story of Notre Dame de Paris
• Flat Stanley’s Worldwide Adventures #11: Framed in France
• Night of the New Magicians (Magic Tree House Merlin Mission) 
• Madame Pamplemousse and the Time-travelling Cafe

Picture Books

• This is Paris
• A Madeline Treasury
• Kylie the Crocodile in Paris
• Good Night Paris
• A Walk in Paris
• Everybody Bonjours!
• Poppy Takes Paris: A Little Girl’s Adventures in the City of Light
• All Aboard! Paris: A French Primer