Our favorite museums in the Marais

Discover the must-see museums of the Marais in Paris, ranging from Cognac-Jay Museum with its art from the 18th century to the famous Picasso Museum, Via the European House of Photography and Henri Cartier-Bresson Foundation. Also explore the Museum of Jewish Art and History, Shoah Memorial, Carnavalet Museum, Museum of Hunting and Nature, And the Victor Hugo House for a unique cultural trip to the heart of the capital.

Cognacq-Jay Museum, ©Le Marais Mood

Unfairly overlooked, the Cognacq-Jay museum is one of Marais Mood’s favorites. This little marvel of French heritage is in principle not to be missed under any circumstances for lovers of classical art. No excuses are allowed: entry is free (like all museums managed by the City of Paris).

Installed in a private mansion in perfect condition, this “mini-Louvre” is entirely dedicated to the 18th century with some masterpieces by Rembrandt, Canaletto, Greuze, Vigée Le Brun, Quentin de la Tour, Watteau, Fragonard, etc.

Picasso Museum, ©Le Marais Mood

A few meters away is the Picasso Museum which there is no need to present except to recall that it houses the largest collection of Picasso's works in the world with around 5 works bequeathed by the Picasso family after the death of the master in 000.

Le Marais is also an essential destination for photography enthusiasts in the heart of Paris, renowned as the capital of photography.

Since its opening in 1996, the European House of Photography, or MEP, is, in the Saint-Paul district, the first French institution dedicated to photography in all its forms, with programming devoted to internationally renowned artists as well as emerging photographers and videographers. See their programming on their website.

Further north, at 79, rue des Archives, towards rue de Bretagne, another place dedicated to photography is worth the detour. There Henri Cartier-Bresson Foundation is dedicated to preserving the photographer's memory of the “decisive moment” of which many images belong to the collective memory of the 20th century. There FHCB organizes around three exhibitions per year which also highlight certain eminent colleagues of the master, for example Martin Parr, Raymond Depardon or Eugène Atget.

Among the favorite establishments of Marais Mood is also the museum of art and history of Judaism (mahJ) whose remarkable programming is always relevant, and supported by high-level curation. Beyond its magnificent collection of works of art linked to Judaism, the mahJ, located on rue du Temple, offers exhibitions which highlight the trajectory of personalities from the Jewish world. Alfred Dreyfus, Sigmund Freud, Marc Chagall, Alberto Giacometti, Helena Rubinstein, Gotlib and Leonard Cohen have successively been presented in this museum with an eclectic and unexpected program.

The Shoah Memorial, is also logically located in the Marais and is at the heart of what was once the Jewish quarter. The Pletzl (“small square” in Yiddish), Place Saint Paul, is the most famous Jewish quarter in Paris dating from the 13th century. The Shoah Memorial houses several “places of memory”: the tomb of the unknown Jewish martyr, the Wall of Names, the children’s memorial, and the Wall of the Righteous. Not to mention temporary exhibitions.

Magnificently renovated, the establishment is entirely dedicated to the history of Paris, from the origins of the city to the present day. It houses an incredible collection of store signs, paintings representing the city in all its aspects and furniture dating from the Ancien Régime. Allow several hours, or even several visits, to get the complete tour. We can therefore choose to favor one era among others: the Middle Ages, the Ancien Régime, the French Revolution, etc.

Also located in a private mansion, the Museum of Hunting and Nature opened in 1967, it focuses on hunting as it was practiced at the time of the kings of France. Its collection of stuffed animals, including an impressive polar bear standing on its hind legs, constitutes one of the unique features of this private museum which also interests children.

Finally, the Victor Hugo House, installed in his house on the Place des Vosges, retraces the life of the great writer in every sense of the term (he measured 1m78) who died in 1885. Committed writer, poet, playwright, novelist, playwright, politician, the author of Notre-Dame-de-Paris and Des Misérables was also an artist (he produced more than 4 drawings) and a decorator whose talent is evident in this vast house designed by him. The Asian wall designed for his mistress, the actress Juliette Drouet, is dazzlingly modern.