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Photography Museum in Paris

Hello all!

We will be in Paris for 5 days (Mid June 2024) and would love to add a photography museum to our list, my research points to MEP, Henri Cartier-Bresson and the Carnavalet (stating they have an extensive gallery) We would love to hear from you if you have visited any of these and which one is your favorite. We always enjoy photography of people living their lives, WWII photos including the invasion of France/German occupation period + the Liberation of Paris. The 1960's-90's is always of interest to us too. Any insight as to which one or two would be a good fit for us. Thank you in advance for your time!

Rosanne

Posted by
763 posts

There are often photo exhibitions at the Hôtel de Ville, and in its old location the Musée de la Libération de Paris had a lot of photos.

The Musée Albert Kahn is on my list of must see one day

Posted by
6 posts

Thank you Simon. I will be sure to check the locations and stop by both! Very appreciated.

Posted by
6913 posts

The Fondation Henri Cartier-Bresson is a small space, only worthwhile if you have a specific interest in the current exhibit (and even then, it feels overpriced, you can be done in 30 min). There is no permanent collection on display (or maybe just a few items).
The MEP is the main one; I have not been in several years but their exhibitions are popular, I see lines whenever I pass by.

Posted by
6 posts

Thank you Balso, helpful information. Will look more into MEP and most likely skip FHC-B.

Posted by
118 posts

You might check out the Jeu de Paume and see if any of their current exhibits are of any interest.

Posted by
8065 posts

The Jeu de Paume showcases photography. We have been to both stunning and ridiculously mediocre shows there. We have not had good luck at Cartier Bresson -- depend on what is being displayed.

We have twice been to Willy Ronis exhibits in Paris and they were each quite wonderful. One was at the Monnaie and the other in a gallery in the 19th.

We have seen some fine things at Maison Europpeene de la photographie.

You have to see WHAT the exhibit is

Posted by
13966 posts

The Liberation museum does have quite a number of photos and videos/home movies from the war. The ones that were amazing to me were taken by a guy who had a hidden movie camera mounted in a bike basket and pedaled around Paris. It’s free, may be closed Mondays as it is a City of Paris Museum, so check their website.

Posted by
6 posts

Thank you for all the replies and recommendations. Very appreciated!

Posted by
8065 posts

thanks Bets -- we will be there next week and love photography. In noticed that Cartier Bresson has a Weegee exhibit which ought to be interesting.

Posted by
6 posts

Thanks Bets and yes, Janetravels, the Weegee exhibit does look very interesting.