Museum of Decorative Arts
(Les Arts Decoratifs)

Le Musee des Arts Decoratifs did close for extensive renovation and restoration work in 1996 but it was completed and the museum was reopened to the public in 2006. The renovation reportedly cost the museum approximately forty five million dollars over this ten year period. The collection includes a huge variety of decorative art and design, with some of these items dating back as far as the 13th century.

A visit to Le Musee des Arts Decoratifs will prove to be a rewarding excursion and promises to provide an interesting and accurate portrayal of the history of French taste in decorative arts. Make sure that you allocate quite a bit of time to this excursion when planning your Paris itinerary as this museum could keep you enthralled for hours on end.

The collection in the Museum of Decorative Arts includes many pieces of antique French furniture, carpets, tableware and quite an extensive collection of glass pieces. The museum exhibits modern art as well as these antique examples of decorative art. These modern pieces include many examples of Art Deco (a phrase coined by the museum when hosting an exhibition in 1966) and Art Nouveau varieties.

One of the most popular attractions at the museum would have to be the period rooms. These rooms contain replicas or actual pieces from the rooms of the prominent Frenchmen. For example, the gold cabinet of Avignon, the dining room of Eugene Grasset and the bedroom of a famous French courtesan can all be viewed at Le Musee des Arts Decoratifs. It will literally feel as though you are stepping into a day in the life of the chosen Frenchman.

You are not restricted to just looking at the exhibits. There are also a number of activities and excursions on offer daily. It is best to book ahead of time though, so make sure that you plan properly so that you can spend the appropriate amount of time in this wonderful museum.

Nearby attractions: The Louvre and Jardin des Tuileries

Accommodations near Les Arts Decoratifs: