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Post by goldenmama on Jun 17, 2007 5:54:28 GMT -5
Just when I thought I had my itinerary figured out, I read about the Musee Carnavalet and the National Archives. I love French history, especially Louis XIV-XVI eras, so the idea of these museums got me all excited.
The guidebooks seem lukewarm on them.
Has any one been to either one who could give me an idea if they are worth our valuable time?
Thanks!
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Post by Shoesy on Jun 17, 2007 7:12:06 GMT -5
On one of the older threads, I mentioned that I wanted to go to the Carnavalet Museum, and as crazy as it seems, my main reason was because I had fallen in love with the name and had told myself that it's got to be a nice museum. Great reasoning, right?  Of course I also thought it would have some very interesting exhibits, but then someone replied that it wasn't all that great, so now it's off my "to do" list. |
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Post by geordy on Jun 17, 2007 9:13:10 GMT -5
I wouldn't take it off the list. It has been awhile since I was there..it was on a trip when the Museum Pass came with the deal and it is/was one of the museums covered by the pass. Now I think it is free? It is conveniently located in the Marais, it is in a gorgeous building with courtyard(I've found all over Europe the buildings some smaller museums are in are equally as charming as the exhibits!) , the exhibits as I recall are not earth shattering but interesting(I seem to remember a sedan chair that I had visions of being delivered to my hotel in!) and of course W/Cs!! I would not make it a destination stop but if you are in the area I think it is worth a look...and will not take too much of your time!  I've been to the Archives(I believe they have two locations??) when a special exhibition was on. I think they may be free..or rather inexpensive. Again worth a look!  |
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Post by Becky (Berkeleytravelers) on Jun 17, 2007 12:00:06 GMT -5
The Carnavalet is in a beautiful building (I went on my first or one of my first trips to Paris). It's not easy as a museum for those of us who don't have much French, because at the time I was there, no explanations of displays were in English and there was no headset with English-language narrative etc. (don't know about now). I don't know whether it was a specific display that was temporary, but it was devoted in large part to the revolution.
Some real positives, from my perpective: First, the house was not chopped up and modernized, so I felt that I got some sense of how it would have been laid out "back in the day" and that, I really appreciated. Also, although there did not seem to be much about her, it was (at least at one point) owned by Madame de Sevigne (prolific letter writer -- and gossip, and astute observer of the Court and society -- from the Louis XIV period), many of whose letters survive and have been published. I have not read as much about her as I would like (but her letters were one source for a fascinating book called "The Affair of the Poisons" about strange and hysterical times in Paris generally and specifically in the Court of the Sun King). Second, one display that I liked very much was a scale model of Paris as it would have been in (I think) the 15th century. The guard in that room spoke a little English (although he was not supposed to speak to visitors, apparently, and shut up instantly when some museum bigwigs came walking through).
At any rate -- I think it's worth a look if you are in that area. I went in because I just happened to be walking by during a long meander and recalled noting the name in Paris Access. If you don't go on your next trip, keep it in mind for a later one.
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Post by Shoesy on Jun 17, 2007 12:18:59 GMT -5
So I guess I'll still keep that place in mind. |
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Post by mez on Jun 17, 2007 19:23:20 GMT -5
Sheosy, I'm with you - with such a onderful sounding name, of course it was on my list...but now I'm wavering...I suppose I'll just see how it pans out and if I'm in the area pop in for a visit as you've suggested.
By the way, apart from this museum is there any other dedicated to the history of Paris?
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Post by arrowcapet on Jun 26, 2007 8:36:55 GMT -5
goldenmama: since you mentioned you're a fan of French history, then I think the museum is an absolute MUST. The place makes me simply giddy. Those who are not such fans of French history and are visiting more for modern culture and major sites might not find the place all that interesting. On the other hand, if you find yourself a fan of French royalty and/or the Revolution, you will find the place absolutely fascinating. Lots and lots of "oh, I know him," and "I remember that."
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Post by Anne on Jun 26, 2007 9:20:49 GMT -5
ArrowCapet, your avatar is just magnificent ! What about you and me marching the streets together dressed in our respective avatars costumes ?? This would be .... GRAND  |
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Post by arrowcapet on Jun 26, 2007 9:57:39 GMT -5
Mais, bien sur, mademoiselle.
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Post by luckyluc on Jun 26, 2007 10:03:23 GMT -5
And as if there was not already enought to see and do! I am just reading that the Carnavalet is showing an exhibit of 250 pictures from the fashion photographer Willy Maywald.
The exhibit includes Pre-war Paris, inedits pictures of daily life, of the construction of the Exposition universelle of 1937, inside studio of Montparnasse's artist and of course fashion pictures of Dior from 1931 to 1955. Until the end of September 2007.
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Post by Darcy on Aug 8, 2007 10:37:04 GMT -5
Just my two cents, but I LOVE the Carnavalet! Yes, it's now free. It's also very large, I've spent hours there and not seen half of it. The courtyard gardens are beautiful as well, and the symbol of Paris, high on a courtyard wall, is a great photo op.
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Post by greyghost1 on Aug 8, 2007 11:52:36 GMT -5
We really enjoyed this museum. The old advertising signs are well displayed and it often has special exhibits...which by the way, are not free, whereas the museum is free. Last time we were there the recreated jewelry shop was being re-habbed. We visit it every trip.
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Post by Becky (Berkeleytravelers) on Aug 8, 2007 12:40:29 GMT -5
What's the recreated jewelry shop? Do they have reproductions of old pieces? (If so, this is getting a return visit the next chance I get!)
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Post by holger on Aug 8, 2007 16:54:09 GMT -5
;D
Carnavalet is definitely on our list for this year. I will report when we are back in September.
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Post by greyghost1 on Aug 9, 2007 11:13:53 GMT -5
Becky...The entire Fouquet jewellery shop from Rue Royale c:1901. Alphonse Mucha, (he did the posters for bicycles, cig. papaers etc) and Sarah Bernhardt, designed this Art Nouveau store, with peacocks and stained glass, wood carvings and fountains and mosaic floors. I really want to see it!
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Post by Darcy on Aug 10, 2007 13:00:50 GMT -5
Thank you, greyghost, I'll be sure to check this out, next time I'm there.
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Post by Becky (Berkeleytravelers) on Aug 10, 2007 13:12:32 GMT -5
Wow - Betsy, great tip! I will be sure to go there on my next opportunity. Am I understanding correctly that this is part of the Carnavalet museum? If so, that's new since I was last there (early 1990s, first trip to Paris).
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Of course I also thought it would have some very interesting exhibits, but then someone replied that it wasn't all that great, so now it's off my "to do" list.
hahahha