Musée Carnavalet
Quick answer
Musée Carnavalet in Paris, France — founded by Baron Haussmann in 1880, the Musée Carnavalet occupies the Renaissance Hôtel Carnavalet and the seventeenth-century Hôtel Le Peletier de Saint-Fargeau. Open Tuesday to Sunday: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM; closed Mondays. Admission: free standard admission. Allow 3–4 hours and book a timed ticket ahead.
Visitor information last reviewed 30 June 2026. Check the official museum site for current details.
Musée Carnavalet at a glance: hours, tickets and time needed
| Opening hours | Tuesday to Sunday: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM |
|---|---|
| Closed | Mondays |
| Admission | Free standard admission |
| Booking | Book a timed ticket in advance — peak slots sell out |
| Time needed | 3–4 hours |
| Best time to visit | Wednesday morning at 10 AM opening — free admission means it fills by midday. |
| Getting there | Metro: Saint-Paul (Line 1) or Chemin Vert (Line 8) — 5-minute walk in the Marais |
| Address | 23 Rue de Sévigné, 75003 Paris, France |
| Official website | carnavalet.paris.fr |
Checked 2026-06-30 against the official website. Prices and hours change — confirm before you travel.
What is Musée Carnavalet known for?
The Musée Carnavalet is the museum of the history of Paris, occupying two adjoining Marais mansions: the Hôtel Carnavalet (1548) and the Hôtel Le Peletier de Saint-Fargeau (17th century). Founded in 1880, it reopened in 2021 after a major four-year renovation.
The museum traces Paris from prehistoric settlement through Roman Lutetia, medieval Paris, the Revolution, Haussmann's transformation, and the Belle Époque. Rooms recreate period interiors — an eighteenth-century ballroom, a jeweller's shop, Marcel Proust's bedroom — alongside paintings, furniture, and revolutionary relics.
Admission to the permanent collection is free, making it one of the great bargains in Paris. The Marais location places it among the city's finest historic neighbourhoods, near the Place des Vosges and Jewish quarter.
The 2021 reopening added new chronological galleries, improved accessibility, and restored the mansions' painted ceilings and carved staircases to their former glory.
Best for: History Enthusiasts · Paris Lovers · Free Museum Seekers
How long do you need at Musée Carnavalet?
Allow 3–4 hours. A focused route through 4 must-see highlights at Musée Carnavalet without museum fatigue. Follow the stops in order:
- 1
The Tennis Court Oath
📍 French Revolution Gallery
David's monumental but unfinished painting of the 1789 oath at the Jeu de Paume, a defining image of the Revolution.
- 2
Marcel Proust's Bedroom
📍 Belle Époque Gallery
Proust's cork-lined bedroom from 102 Boulevard Haussmann, recreated with his furniture, manuscripts, and personal objects.
- 3
Portrait of Madame de Sévigné
📍 Hôtel Carnavalet
Portrait of the celebrated letter-writer who lived in the Hôtel Carnavalet, the museum's namesake mansion.
- 4
Revolutionary Relics
📍 Revolution Gallery
Bastille stones, revolutionary banners, and personal effects of Robespierre and other Revolution figures.
What are the must-see works at Musée Carnavalet?
4 highlights that define the collection: The Tennis Court Oath, Marcel Proust's Bedroom, Portrait of Madame de Sévigné and more.
The Tennis Court Oath
Jacques-Louis David · 1791 (unfinished)
📍 French Revolution Gallery
David's monumental but unfinished painting of the 1789 oath at the Jeu de Paume, a defining image of the Revolution.
Marcel Proust's Bedroom
Period recreation · Belle Époque
📍 Belle Époque Gallery
Proust's cork-lined bedroom from 102 Boulevard Haussmann, recreated with his furniture, manuscripts, and personal objects.
Portrait of Madame de Sévigné
Claude Lefèbvre · 17th century
📍 Hôtel Carnavalet
Portrait of the celebrated letter-writer who lived in the Hôtel Carnavalet, the museum's namesake mansion.
Revolutionary Relics
Various · 1789–1794
📍 Revolution Gallery
Bastille stones, revolutionary banners, and personal effects of Robespierre and other Revolution figures.
Collections and highlights
- • Prehistoric and Roman Paris (Lutetia)
- • Medieval and Renaissance Paris
- • French Revolution artefacts and art
- • Haussmann and nineteenth-century transformation
- • Belle Époque and Art Nouveau interiors
- • Marcel Proust and literary Paris
- • Shop signs and street life of old Paris
- • Portrait of Parisian society through the ages
Tips for visiting Musée Carnavalet
- 1.
Best time to visit
Wednesday morning at 10 AM opening — free admission means it fills by midday.
- 2.
Crowds & busy periods
Busy on weekends; the renovated galleries attract heavy local and tourist traffic.
- 3.
Tickets & booking
Free permanent collection; timed reservation required via the Paris Musées website.
- 4.
Food & cafés nearby
Marais falafel on Rue des Rosiers; cafés on Place des Vosges.
- 5.
Accessibility
Improved in 2021 renovation; some historic rooms remain stair-access only.
How do you get to Musée Carnavalet?
- metro Saint-Paul (Line 1) or Chemin Vert (Line 8) — 5-minute walk in the Marais
- walk 10 minutes from Place des Vosges; central Marais location on Rue de Sévigné
- bus Multiple buses along Rue de Rivoli and Boulevard Beaumarchais
Address: 23 Rue de Sévigné, 75003 Paris, France
Musée Carnavalet: frequently asked questions
Is admission really free?
Yes — like all City of Paris museums, the permanent collection is free.
Is the museum in the Marais?
Yes, it is in the heart of the Marais district.
How long should I spend at Musée Carnavalet?
Plan 3–4 hours for the highlights of Musée Carnavalet. Our 4-stop route — The Tennis Court Oath, Marcel Proust's Bedroom, Portrait of Madame de Sévigné and more — is designed to fit that time. Add extra time for temporary exhibitions, the shop and the café.
What is Musée Carnavalet best known for?
Founded by Baron Haussmann in 1880, the Musée Carnavalet occupies the Renaissance Hôtel Carnavalet and the seventeenth-century Hôtel Le Peletier de Saint-Fargeau. It reopened in 2021 after a major refurbishment. Key highlights include Marcel Proust's bedroom, Bal du Moulin de la Galette signage, Models of medieval Paris.
How do I get tickets for Musée Carnavalet?
Free standard admission. Book a free timed ticket on the official website to guarantee entry at busy times. Official site: https://www.carnavalet.paris.fr/en
How long should I allow?
Allow at least three hours — the museum covers all of Parisian history across two mansions with dozens of period rooms.
Is it suitable for children?
The period room recreations and Revolution galleries engage older children well. The museum offers family trails and activities.
Is Musée Carnavalet open on Mondays?
No — Musée Carnavalet is closed every Monday. It is open Tuesday to Sunday: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM. Plan a different museum for that day, and check the official website for holiday changes.
What are Musée Carnavalet's opening hours?
Musée Carnavalet is open Tuesday to Sunday: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM, and closed Mondays. Hours can change for holidays and events, so check the official website before you go.
