Musee Carnavalet

By parisian on 20/08/2009 in Attractions

Musee Carnavalet Courtyard

The Carnavalet Museum in Paris is dedicated to the history of the city. The museum occupies two neighboring mansions: the Hotel Carnavalet and the former Hotel Le Peletier de Saint Fargeau. On the advice of Baron Haussmann, the civil servant who transformed Paris in the latter half of the 19th century, the Hotel Carnavalet was purchased by the Municipal Council of Paris in 1866; it was opened to the public in 1880. By the latter part of the 20th century, the museum was bursting at the seams. The Hotel Le Peletier de Saint Fargeau was annexed to the Carnavalet and opened to the public in 1989

History of the Hotel Carnavalet

In 1548, Jacques des Ligneris, President of the Parliament of Paris, ordered the construction of the mansion that came to be known as the Hotel Carnavalet; construction was completed about 1560. In 1578, the widow of Francois de Kernevenoy, later known as Carnavalet, purchased the building. In 1654, the mansion was bought by Claude Boislève, who commissioned the well-known architect, François Mansart, to make extensive renovations. Madame de Sévigné, famous for her letter-writing, lived in the Hotel Carnavalet from 1677 until her death in 1696.

History of the Hotel Le Peletier de Saint Fargeau

The Hotel Le Peletier de Saint Fargeau was also built in the middle of the 16th century. It was originally known as the Hotel d’Orgeval. It was purchased by Michel Le Peletier and passed on eventually to his grandson, Michel-Étienne. Michel-Étienne Peletier was a representative of the nobility in the Estates General (which was convoked by King Louis XVI in 1789 in response to public outcries about issues such as the failing economy). In 1793, Peletier voted for the execution of the king. He was murdered, in revenge for his vote, on January 20, 1793.

Museum location and hours

The Carnavalet Museum is located in the Marais neighborhood. The visitor’s entrance is at 23, rue de Sévigné. The phone number is 01 44 59 58 58. Handicapped visitors should enter at 29, rue de Sévigné. There is no entrance fee for the permanent collection. Usually the entrance fee for temporary exhibitions is 4.50 euros (as of February 2009). For visitors up to and including the age of 26, the handicapped, and the unemployed, the entrance fee is 3.80 euros (as of February 2009). The museum is open from 10 am to 6 pm. It is closed on Mondays and holidays. (Text Source: Wikipedia, the Free Encyclopedia)

Musee Carnavalet is located in the 3rd arrondissement of Paris. So, you may want to see;