The Musée Jacquemart-André is a hidden gem between Parc Monceau and the Champs-Élysées within the eighth arrondissement. It’s supreme in case you’re after standout artwork and structure however desire a quieter expertise than the large Paris museums can provide.
As a result of regardless that it’s proper within the middle of Paris, the museum is commonly ignored and plenty of have by no means even heard of it.
To be trustworthy, I solely knew it from a number of photographs of the winter backyard—so I had no actual thought what to anticipate inside. However the go to turned out to be unexpectedly wealthy, fairly spectacular even.
You get an actual really feel for the way the rich of the 2nd Empire as soon as lived, collected, and entertained. And one of the best half? No crowds. Right here’s my customer’s information.
Salut, I’m Lena – journey planning skilled and parisienne since 2006 🩷
📌 200+ handpicked spots I really love – Get free entry to my Paris map 🗺️
Like this one? You may also take pleasure in:
Background: The Collectors and Their Mansion
Édouard André (1833–1894) got here from a rich banking household. He was concerned in politics, however his actual ardour was artwork. He turned a severe collector and patron, investing most of his fortune in constructing a personal assortment.
To deal with it correctly—and to host social occasions—he commissioned architect Henri Guardian in 1869 to construct a mansion on Boulevard Haussmann, not removed from Parc Monceau.
In 1881, he married Nélie Jacquemart, a profitable painter in her personal proper and one of many first ladies accepted on the École des Beaux-Arts.
They shared the identical obsession for artwork and spent years travelling by way of Italy and past, shopping for items for his or her rising assortment.
After Édouard’s loss of life in 1894, Nélie carried on alone. Ultimately, she donated the home and all the pieces in it to the Institut de France.
The museum opened in 1913—and it’s been open to the general public ever since.
The Museum and its Collections
The museum homes the non-public assortment of Édouard André and Nélie Jacquemart. When you’re into Italian Renaissance artwork, that is your home—it’s one of many largest collections outdoors Italy.
There are works by Botticelli, Uccello, Donatello, and extra, however for me, the actual spotlight wasn’t the artwork—it was the home itself. It’s a actual hiddem gem in Paris.
The structure is beautiful. Each room is totally different, rigorously staged, and superbly preserved. And the audioguide makes an enormous distinction.
As an alternative of an ordinary tour, it pulls you into the story—such as you’re attending one among their night salons, beginning together with your carriage arriving within the courtyard. You get small particulars about society, the constructing, and their world. It actually brings the place to life.
The Winter Backyard & the Spiral Staircases
The winter backyard comes close to the top of the bottom flooring tour—and it’s one of the crucial memorable areas.
Tall mirrors, marble flooring, and potted vegetation beneath a glass roof—it was meant as a retreat throughout social gatherings. A spot the place the women might step away from the salons and catch a little bit of recent air.
Even right now, the sunshine in that room feels totally different. The entire environment is virtually mesmerizing—quiet, shiny, and barely surreal.
The centerpiece of this little oasis is a double spiral staircase. It’s fabricated from marble and bronze however seems to be surprisingly gentle.
It’s attention-grabbing to assume that they positioned it behind the home, not the centre—virtually like a hidden finale.
The State Flats
A part of the museum contains the non-public flats of Édouard and Nélie Jacquemart-André.
You stroll by way of rooms just like the boudoir, the research, and even their bed room—nonetheless furnished, nonetheless intact.
One element that stood out to me: the tapestries. They’re large, masking whole partitions—and right here’s a enjoyable element: Édouard owned them earlier than he constructed the home. So when designing the mansion, he had the partitions sized precisely to suit them.
A small factor, but it surely tells you the way intentional all the pieces was. Nothing on this home was left to likelihood, all the pieces was designed with their assortment in thoughts.
The Audioguide Expertise
The museum gives a neat little audio information you may obtain without spending a dime. They supply an QR code so you may set up it simply.
It guides you thru the rooms with out overloading you—and the best way it’s achieved is definitely fairly intelligent.
It begins as in case you’ve simply arrived by carriage, invited to one among their soirées.
You’re “greeted” within the petit salon and gently walked by way of the home from there.
It’s a wise approach to get launched—not simply to the constructing, however to the best way they lived in it.
I favored that rather a lot. It made the go to really feel extra private, much less like a proper tour.
Customer Info
Deal with: 158 Boulevard Haussmann, 75008 Paris
Opening Hours:
- Monday to Thursday: 10:00 to 18:00
- Fridays: Late openings till 22:00
- Weekends: 10:00 to 19:00
Entry:
- Metro: Traces 9 and 13 to Miromesnil
- Bus: Traces 22, 28, 32, 43, 52, 80, 83, 84, 93
Conclusion
The Musée Jacquemart-André gives a uncommon look into the world of Nineteenth-century artwork collectors—up shut, peaceable, and filled with element.
Its intimate setting, paired with a exceptional assortment, makes it supreme in case you’re after one thing much less crowded to go to in Paris, however nonetheless filled with substance. It’s one of the crucial attention-grabbing museums in Paris and undoubtedly value a go to.
And in case you’re not within the temper for a full museum day, you may nonetheless cease by Nélie, the on-site restaurant and tearoom. You don’t want a ticket to enter—it’s open to all.
It’s not precisely finances, but it surely’s not excessive both. Costs match the situation and the texture of the eighth. A pleasant spot for a quiet espresso or lunch, with a beautiful out of doors terrace.
Parisienne since 2006 🩷
Knowledgeable in: Parisian Life &
French Tradition, Journey
Planning, Crochet & Meals and Drinks
Be a part of me on Fb for updates and information about Paris.
NEW: The Salut from Paris Journey Information:
If my Paris insights enable you to plan your journey, please think about supporting me. Merci! ❤️ ☕
Should-Haves for Paris:
- eSim card to remain on-line whereas in Paris. I used GigSky for my travels.
- You seemingly want a journey adapter to plug your units.
- Journey Insurance coverage – in case you don’t have one, VisitorsCoverage is an efficient choice.
- In case your flight is delayed and even canceled, use AirHelp to get compensation.
Excursions & Sights:
- I e-book excursions & actions by way of Get Your Information or Viator.
- Museum & Landmark tickets will be cheaper on the official web page, however they’re typically offered out.
- I really like the GoCity Journey Passes for straightforward planning
- I take advantage of Tiqets for Seine Cruises as a result of with my code SALUT5 we get 5% off
Flights & Transportation:
Accomodation:
- Lodges in Europe I principally e-book by way of Reserving.com (examine evaluations rigorously)
- Trip Leases by way of Airbnb or VRBO
