Just read that the Carnavalet Museum in Paris reopened yesterday after being closed for 5 years for renovation. The museum was one of my absolute favorites in Paris with the most eclectic collection of items documenting the history of Paris. Now, when France reopens to US tourists we will again be able to visit this wonderful museum.
Posted by
Middletown, RI
1227 posts
The Musée Carnavalet has been on my list for a while. I once stopped into the courtyard on my way through the Marais, but didn't walk in the museum. It closed for renovations shortly thereafter, and I have regretted no going in ever since. Looking forward to seeing it on my next visit (I should have been there his evening but for other pandemic plans by France...).
Posted by
Olympia, WA, USA
6713 posts
It was a wonderful (and free) museum before it closed, it can only be better after the renovation, and hopefully still free.
Posted by
OP
Corvallis OR
7161 posts
Looks like it is still free - yay! But, like most museums these days advance timed entry required.
Posted by
Paris
10203 posts
In fact, in a classic move, the Carnavalet was not able to open yesterday as planned — they had to wait until today due to social unrest!!!!!
https://www.lefigaro.fr/culture/le-musee-carnavalet-bloque-par-des-grevistes-a-paris-20210529
Posted by
northern CA
2766 posts
Yes, admission is still free but as noted above the planned opening day was prevented by a staff strike --
and those who showed up to find this out had all made their reservations for tickets the moment the system went on, which meant they got up early twice for no reason, ha.
Posted by
northern CA
2766 posts
IIRC the RS guidebook advises concentrating on the upper floor where the knickknacks from the Revolution are displayed but the entire place, inside and out, is worth your time and attention -- you get a sense of what life was like in the Marais as immigrants and urban renewal came and went over and over again, like the Russian aristocracy fleeing their own revolutions ( ! )
Posted by
L'Occitanie, France
10625 posts
I like the lower floor, basement, where the neolithic wooden canoes they pulled out of the riverbank mud are displayed.
Posted by
OP
Corvallis OR
7161 posts
the RS guidebook advises concentrating on the upper floor where the knickknacks from the Revolution are displayed.
From what I've read the whole place has been renovated and there is an entirely new 'flow' to the museum. So, any RS guidebook information is likely to be out of date and new visitors will probably need maps to navigate it. I would love to go back and see what they've done with their 5 year, €58 million renovation.
Bets, I loved that area two, but then I loved it all. I spent a couple of hours there and I could go back again. For some reason the whole place just fascinated me.