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Musee Carnavalet

23 Rue de Sevigne, 75003 Paris, France
33 1 44 59 58 58
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As featured in Paris on a budget
Ranked #29 of 564 attractions in Paris
Type: History Museums
Fee: No
Recommended length of visit: More than 3 hours
Description: This museum documents the history of Paris from its beginnings through modern times and includes impressive exhibits on Voltaire and Rousseau.
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333 reviews from our community

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Paris, France
Contributor
16 reviews 16 reviews
8 attraction reviews
Reviews in 5 cities Reviews in 5 cities
2 helpful votes 2 helpful votes
5 of 5 stars Reviewed 14 May 2013 NEW

This little gem has a lot of history and charm. I'd suggest at least 2 hours to do this museum justice. If you rush around in an hour you can get a good taste. It also has some short term exhibitions, so check the program and see whats on besides the regular works.

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See 6 more reviews by imagine_david1959 for Paris
Hamilton, NJ
Top Contributor
148 reviews 148 reviews
29 attraction reviews
Reviews in 32 cities Reviews in 32 cities
228 helpful votes 228 helpful votes
5 of 5 stars Reviewed 12 May 2013 NEW

We visit the Carnavalet every time we are lucky to come to Paris. After exploring the museum several times we still find something new that we missed before. And let us assure our fellow TripAdvisor members, the museum provides a great deal of interest and excitement for everyone. We especially like the second floor with its amazing collection dedicated to... More

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See 53 more reviews by RGSOUNDF for Paris
Perth, Western Australia
Contributor
13 reviews 13 reviews
6 attraction reviews
Reviews in 4 cities Reviews in 4 cities
3 helpful votes 3 helpful votes
5 of 5 stars Reviewed 11 May 2013 NEW

The Musee Carnavalet is a wonderful history of Paris housed in two 16th century mansions. Amazing windows, floors and ceilings to look at before you even start to look at the exhibits. Through the windows you can see the formal gardens outside - or sit and relax in them. Quite an amazing history!

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See 6 more reviews by Someotherland for Paris
Paris, Ile-de-France, France
Senior Contributor
36 reviews 36 reviews
9 attraction reviews
Reviews in 15 cities Reviews in 15 cities
2 helpful votes 2 helpful votes
4 of 5 stars Reviewed 11 May 2013 NEW

Thre aren't many free attractions in Paris (for adults). This is one. You can get a real feeling for Parisian history looking around this rambling museum. It brings together a selection of things salvaged from Parisian reconstruction. Old shop signs, and shop fittings as well as a range of saved interiors clearly showing how interior design has changed over the... More

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See 7 more reviews by Kevin142 for Paris
Palm Beach Gardens, Florida
Top Contributor
85 reviews 85 reviews
44 attraction reviews
Reviews in 31 cities Reviews in 31 cities
84 helpful votes 84 helpful votes
2 of 5 stars Reviewed 9 May 2013

The museum admitted my friend and me just 15 minutes before they close a large area for "lunch". Why did they not tell us BEFORE we entered?? Good thing that there is no admission fee, however the purchase of an audio guide was a waste of money. In addition, BOTH of the 2 bathrooms were closed for cleaning at the... More

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See 29 more reviews by nancyb926 for Paris
Vancouver, B.C.
Senior Contributor
25 reviews 25 reviews
18 attraction reviews
Reviews in 8 cities Reviews in 8 cities
10 helpful votes 10 helpful votes
5 of 5 stars Reviewed 8 May 2013

Yes free admission and a must! Bigger than it appears and every corner is worth discovering...including the quarters of Louis and Marie-Antoinette before hauled off to their demise. This is to do whether you have 3 days in Paris or longer and do it early in your visit as it will add to your knowledge of your French history. Audio... More

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See 13 more reviews by PixieVancouver_B_C_ for Paris
Paris, France
Contributor
14 reviews 14 reviews
Reviews in 13 cities Reviews in 13 cities
16 helpful votes 16 helpful votes
3 of 5 stars Reviewed 6 May 2013

Aargh! Uninspiring typically French sterile presentation, the UK or US would do a much better job at presenting the history of their city as an interactive museum rather than a sterile series of glass cases.

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Clearwater, Florida
Top Contributor
120 reviews 120 reviews
56 attraction reviews
Reviews in 76 cities Reviews in 76 cities
321 helpful votes 321 helpful votes
4 of 5 stars Reviewed 2 May 2013

So that's what the Bastille, Marie Antoinette and her chubby hubby and children really looked like. A good collection of art and a wonderful collection of artifacts. Don't miss it if you're in the Third. A real French history lesson and some beautiful rooms and furnishings. Not crowded at all. All descriptions in French only. Museum paper maps available at... More

Was this review helpful? Yes 3
See 5 more reviews by kitchenchemist for Paris
Brighton, United Kingdom
Contributor
17 reviews 17 reviews
7 attraction reviews
Reviews in 4 cities Reviews in 4 cities
8 helpful votes 8 helpful votes
5 of 5 stars Reviewed 30 April 2013

Great stuff, 3000 years of Paris and a bonus at the end with an exhibition of late 19th century paintings of Paris. Quite wonderfu. Well worth a visit, definitely one to take children to.

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See 9 more reviews by rongould for Paris
Newton, MA
Contributor
19 reviews 19 reviews
5 attraction reviews
Reviews in 5 cities Reviews in 5 cities
2 helpful votes 2 helpful votes
5 of 5 stars Reviewed 29 April 2013

This is a great museum to help you navigate french history if you need help or want to refresh your memory. It is presented in a comfortable and interesting way. We really enjoyed the historical aspect as well as the cultural information. I loved the signage and tin work on the final leg of the tour. Again the audio tour... More

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See 12 more reviews by Sharon04Newton for Paris

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