Paris' history museum tells the story of the city from Gallo-Roman times onwards, housed in a pair of remarkable hôtels particuliers (private mansions): the Hôtel Carnavalet from 1560 and Hôtel Le Peletier de St-Fargeau from 1688. At the Musée Carnavalet (carnavalet.paris.fr; free), you're first welcomed by a grand hall adorned with old shop signs, reminders of Paris’ vibrant commercial life throughout the centuries. As you wander through the museum’s spacious rooms, you'll encounter artworks, artifacts and historical finds that recount the layered history of Paris.
The city is showcased in all its forms and across all eras through numerous scale models, paintings, architectural remnants and modern masterpieces. Murals, entire shops and even a hotel ballroom were all moved to the Hotel Carnavalet to testify to their enduring magnificence. Our favorite floor is dedicated to the French Revolution and includes a pair of guillotine earrings, complete with dangling severed heads.
