Initially, for those who suppose a go to to the dentist could be extra enjoyable than going around the Put up Workplace Museum, we perceive, however hear us out, OK?
The Musée de la Poste in Paris was utterly renovated in 2019 (a facelift that took 4 years and 20M€). It’s now a model new, trendy museum (very near our motels!) and when you begin your go to, it in a short time turns into obvious that through the years the French Put up Workplace has adopted or fostered a lot of the change in society – new technique of transport (scorching air balloon, horses, trains), new expertise (telephones, faxes, the web), the evolution of ladies within the office, the modifications in artwork and design…
Time to check out this wild and great place…
Simply to the aspect of the Montparnasse practice station, the Put up Workplace Museum (Musée de la Poste) is housed in a constructing that was constructed particularly for it, inaugurated in December 1973.
The French Put up Workplace celebrated the occasion by releasing a particular version stamp exhibiting the constructing’s façade, which is now additionally restored and, fifty years later, imbued with retro 70s attraction.
Nonetheless, when you enter, all remnants of the twentieth century are left behind, and you end up in an completely trendy constructing with intriguing vertical areas. The museum go to even begins on the highest ground and winds again down, giving spectacular views from the very begin.
Within the stairwell you’ll see wireframe sculptures of the varied technique of transport used to get letters to their addressees over the many years – horse-draw carriages, scorching air balloons, bicycles…
The primary room reveals the beginnings of the postal service, with uniforms, air balloon baskets, planes and naturally bikes. It additionally particulars the evolution of communication aside from the written phrase, from telegrams to telephones and past.
The pictures produced to doc or publicise these endeavours present the fierce satisfaction that was related to the technological advances, but in addition function proof of how in another way they have been utilized in cities and the countryside, how males have been assigned principally bodily jobs (typically as postmen) whereas ladies have been usually left sitting as switchboard operators. 
The pictures surrounding the postal service are sometimes very stunning, depicting faraway lands or a barely clichéd French countryside. Postmen grew to become the heroes of movies (you might need seen Jour de Fête by Jacques Tati) and comedian books. The Put up Workplace’s yearly calendar additionally mirrored the graphical type of the time, and quite a few artists have been impressed by the adventures of the women and men who labored ceaselessly to get the smallest of envelopes internationally to the folks awaiting them.
The corporate was additionally a pioneer of legal guidelines defending privateness, making it unlawful for anybody to learn a letter destined for another person.
Many displays additionally present how the Put up Workplace mirrored the favored design types of the day, and likewise inspired new ones, as attested to by the submit places of work themselves (take a look at the attractive Artwork Nouveau counter), but in addition the logos and indicators used…
There are some amusing uncommon displays too, like the reason of the Paris pneumatic submit which was in place from 1868 till as late as 1984! A clip from a François Truffaut movie reveals the character Antoine Doinel putting his letter in a particular postbox earlier than it’s despatched whooshing off on its method. How instances have modified…
Go down a ground, and also you’ll discover a room showcasing inventive creations impressed by the world of the submit workplace.
There’s additionally an area for momentary exhibitions, a presentation of seemingly each French stamp ever made (along with the time of circulation) and an explication of how stamps are literally designed and printed.
Some photos shall be acquainted solely to francophiles, however everybody ought to respect the sparkly postbox coated in glitter…
The go to ends right here, however there’s nonetheless a ground to go all the way down to the place you’ll discover… the present store and bookshop!
That is the place you’ll discover the superb museum catalogue (cheaper than on amazon), different books, luggage and objects galore, together with tea towels created from recycled / upcycled submit luggage.
And from right here, it’s only one extra ground down to succeed in the doorway, or somewhat the exit.
This decrease degree additionally has an area for workshops and momentary exhibitions (like the present ‘Jouez, Postez !‘), and the museum gives a complete line-up of workshops, guided visits and movies for all of the household. Extra information right here.
P.S. You may even have a good time your birthday on the premises (so long as you might be between 3 and 12 years of age)!
The Put up Workplace Museum (Musée de la Poste) (right here) is open daily besides Tuesdays from 11am-6pm (final ticket at 5.15pm)
Admission: 9€ / 5€. A discount!
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Magnifique timbre dessiné par Christian Guémy (C215) et gravé en taille-douce par Elsa Catelin. Le visage d’un lengthy fight pour l’égalité représenté dans les tons verts, la couleur qui symbolise l’union et la paix sur le drapeau de l’Afrique du Sud. #timbre #stamp https://t.co/KlmvCUN3DA
— Musée de La Poste (@museedelaposte) January 20, 2023
