The building served as the residence of Madame de Sévigné, the famous letter writer, from 1677 until her death.
The museum houses the preserved bedroom and office of Marcel Proust, complete with his original furniture and personal belongings.
The facade features a relief sculpture by Jean Goujon that was salvaged from a demolished 16th-century building.
The permanent collection includes the original signboards of old Parisian shops, preserving the street-level history of the city.
A room is dedicated to the 'Café Militaire' of the 18th century, featuring original neoclassical interior paneling.
The museum holds the only surviving portrait of Madame de Sévigné painted during her lifetime.
It contains a collection of guillotine blades and other artifacts directly associated with the Terror period of the French Revolution.
The Carnavalet Museum is the oldest municipal museum in Paris, dedicated exclusively to the history of the city from its prehistoric origins to the present day. Located in the Marais district, it occupies two adjacent historic mansions: the Hôtel Carnavalet and the Hôtel Le Peletier de Saint-Fargeau. The collection includes over 600,000 objects, including paintings, sculptures, furniture, and personal items belonging to historical figures. Visitors can walk through reconstructed period rooms that showcase decorative arts from the 15th to the 20th centuries. The museum holds a significant collection of artifacts related to the French Revolution, including items from the Bastille. Outdoor features include expansive, preserved Renaissance-style gardens open to the public. It underwent a multi-year major renovation that concluded in 2021, resulting in updated displays and improved accessibility. The museum's architecture itself acts as an exhibit, highlighting the evolution of Parisian residential building styles.
The central courtyards featuring Renaissance architecture and stone carvings.
Prioritize the lower floor galleries, which focus on the earliest history of Paris and are often overlooked.
Check the digital map at the entrance to navigate the interconnected courtyard layouts of the two mansions.
Visit the interior gardens to escape the noise of the Marais district streets.
Trying to see every room in one visit, which leads to fatigue given the massive layout; focus on specific eras instead.
Closed on Mondays and major public holidays.
No flash photography in galleries with sensitive artifacts; maintain a quiet volume in period rooms.
