Quirky Museums in Paris
Paris is home to some of the world’s greatest museums, the Louvre, Musée d’Orsay and the Centre Pompidou. Must visits for anyone visiting Paris. However Paris isn’t known as the Museum City for nothing and you’ll find lots of quirky, free and fantastic little museums hidden away in the Parisian back streets. Here’s our selection of quirky museums in Paris worth a little of your time.
Musée des Egouts-If you have an interest in all things scatological the Paris sewer museum should be high on your list of what to see in Paris. The museum takes you on journey through the history of the Paris sewer system. Originally all the sewage ended up in the Seine which was the city’s main source of drinking water, rather unhealthy as you can imagine. It was during the reign of Napoleon construction of an underground sewerage system began. Be forewarned, it is not the most pleasant smelling museum. Where: 93 quai d’Orsay, Pont de l’Alma. When: 11am-5pm. Closed Thursday and Friday. Admission: €4.30.
Edith Piaf Museum- Housed in the flat of a lifelong Piaf fan this small museum has a small collection of the singers personal belongings. Greeting visitors at the door is a life size cut out of the French singer. In the two rooms making up the museum visitors will find letters, dresses she performed in, a pair of tiny shoes and a teddy bear given to Piaf by her husband. Where: 5 rue Crespin du Gast. When: Mon-Wed 1pm-6pm (by appointment only 01 4355 5272) Admission: Free (Donations welcome)
Musee de L’Erotisme- Collectors Alain Plumey and Joseph Khalifa have spent years acquiring over seven floors of erotic art and artefacts. The top floors of this museum in Paris are given over to various temporary erotic art exhibitions whilst the remaining floors house a history of Parisian brothels, fertility symbols and phallic symbols from around the world. Where: 72 boulevard de Clichy When: Daily 10am-2am Admission: €9 Concession €6.
Musée du Vin- What self respecting tourist to Paris wouldn’t want to discover the history of one of France’s greatest products, wine. In the vaulted cellars of an old monastery visitors are taken on history of wine making in France through displays featuring tools, bottles and wine making peasants. Finish off the tour at this Parisian Museum sampling a bit of the local drop and if you are prepared to pay a little extra, dinner. Where: 5 Charles Dickens Sq. When: 10am-6pm Tues-Sun. Admission: €11.90 more if having dinner.
It’s only a small collection of the quirky, interesting and fascinating museums in Paris. What do you think? Are you going to visit any when you visit Paris?
James – Marketing Team
