The Museum of Romantic Life Reopens: Explore the Renovated Space in Photos

After over a year of anticipation, the museum is finally opening its doors once again: discover the Musée de la Vie Romantique, beautifully restored and reimagined, starting February 14, 2026.

The renovation took a year and a half—an eternity for the art lovers in the 9th arrondissement of Paris. After all, this charming small museum is a true local institution. Luckily, the work is now complete, and the Musée de la Vie Romantique has finally reopened its doors. Now's the perfect time to explore the updates and rediscover this essential spot on Paris's artistic scene.

The Museum of Romantic Life closed its doors on Monday, September 16, 2024, and is set to reopen on February 14, 2026. The cultural venue is undergoing extensive renovation works, aimed at refurbishing the entire building and creating a new visitor experience within the permanent collections.

This museum, owned by the city of Paris, has outlined its renovation project on the Fondation du Patrimoine website. According to the 9th arrondissement's town hall, the entire project is estimated to cost around €3.8 million. The renovation has been financed by the Paris City Council, the regional cultural agency DRAC (Direction Régionale des Affaires Culturelles), corporate sponsorship, and individual donations. In reality, the costs have slightly exceeded the initial budget, though no exact figure has been disclosed at this point.

The Maison de la Vie Romantique has recently undergone a facelift, with renovations to the historic façade of Ary Scheffer’s former home, updates to the roof coverings, and repairs to the glass windows and woodwork. Inside, the space has been completely reimagined, and the visitor route has been thoughtfully redesigned to better showcase the artists who once graced these rooms, emphasize the Romantic movement, and highlight the era’s creative blending of different art forms.

The institution has held the status of Historical Monument since 1956, meaning renovation work must comply with current architectural preservation standards. As a result, installing an elevator to accommodate visitors with mobility challenges, for instance, is not permitted.

Thanks to this restoration, the Musée de la Vie Romantique is now closer than ever to how it appeared in the 19th century, during the time when Ary Scheffer lived there. The facade, in particular, has regained its historic colors: gone is the green, replaced by the original brown and beige tones.

To mark its reopening, the museum hosts an exhibition dedicated to painter Paul Huet.

Facing the sky, Paul Huet in his era: a poetic exhibition at the Musée de la Vie Romantique, photos
Immer yourself in the skies painted by Paul Huet with the exhibition Facing the Sky, running from February 14 to August 30, 2026. This showcase also marks the grand reopening of the Museum of Romantic Life. [Read more]