Did you know: which is the oldest museum in Paris?

Paris is the French capital of culture andart: in every district of the city, you'll find galleries, foundations, museums, monuments and institutes showcasing a wide range of subjects. History, the military world, science, fashion, perfume, painting, contemporary art, cinema, hunting and nature... The list goes on!

Paris is also a city that never ceases to evolve: in recent years, new museums have opened their doors in the capital, such as the Musée du fromage, the Musée des mathématiques, the Maison Elysée... And more are due to open in the years to come, including the Alberto Giacometti Museum and the Street Art Museum in Saint-Denis.

These are all exciting developments, of course. But let's get back to basics, and more specifically to Paris' first official museum. Do you know which is the oldest museum in the capital?

• To be read
• This week's top deals in Paris and Île-de-France, from December 22 to 28, 2025
• Free museums and landmarks: Must-visit sites this Sunday, January 4th, in Paris and Île-de-France
• Free museums and monuments in Paris and the Ile-de-France region: cultural tips

This title belongs to the Musée Carnavalet, the Musée d'Histoire de la Ville de Paris. It opened its doors to the public on February 25, 1880, under the impetus of Baron Haussmann, Prefect of the Seine. The famous architect of Paris wanted to create the Musée Historique de Paris in a mansion in the Marais district, where the Marquise de Sévigné and her family had lived.

The Musée Carnavalet houses a rich and wide-ranging collection of objects and works, from prehistory to the present day. Until 1956, it even housed a number of costumes and accessories, which were later transferred to the Palais Galliera, the fashion museum.

Today, the archaeological crypt on the Île de la Cité is part of the Musée Carnavalet, reinforcing the historical heritage of this place of art and culture. If you haven't visited it yet, don't delay in taking advantage of its permanent collections, which are free to all!

Musée Carnavalet, Paris's oldest museum dedicated to the capital's history
The Musée Carnavalet invites you to discover the history of the capital. Discover what awaits you in Paris' oldest museum, which has the advantage of being free... [Read more]