Madame de Sévigné, Parisian Letters: A Unique Exhibition at the Carnavalet Museum

She is the most famous French letter-writer of the 17th century: her letters to her daughter and cousin have cemented her status as a key figure in French literature. Madame de Sévigné is the focus of a special tribute at the Carnavalet Museum, celebrated this year on the 400th anniversary of her birth. The museum is hosting a new exhibition dedicated to the writer and her correspondence, running from April 15 through August 23, 2026.

The exhibition Madame de Sévigné, Letters from Paris features over 200 works exploring the life and writings of the famed letter-writer, but that's just the beginning. Through paintings, historical artifacts, and drawings, this showcase offers a fresh perspective on what Paris looked like during the age of the Sun King.

Indeed, Madame de Sévigné stands out from her contemporaries thanks to her extensive and richly detailed correspondence. In her letters, she meticulously recounts daily life, social appointments, performances, the arts, and major events shaping Paris and its high society.

• To be read
• This week's best deals and highlights in Paris and Île-de-France, from January 26 to February 1, 2026
• Free museums and monuments in Paris and the Ile-de-France region: cultural tips

Madame de Sévigné lived in the vibrant Marais district, in the heart of Paris. She regularly attended the city’s refined literary salons and maintained close friendships with prominent figures of French nobility. Although she stayed away from the court of King Louis XIV at Versailles, Madame de Sévigné was an active participant in the intellectual and social life of Paris.

Through her letters, the Paris of the 17th century comes vividly to life: we explore the daily life of a woman from high society, her social customs, the codes of nobility, and Madame de Sévigné’s personal perspective on these conventions... Beneath the words, the major historical events of the era are glimpsed, along with the small daily dramas, evolving social norms, and the role of women within this society.

The Carnavalet Museum explores one of France's greatest literary works to reframe a chapter of history. Through Madame de Sévigné’s wit and insight, we gain a clearer picture of a fractured era, marked by tensions and transformative shifts.

There’s a highly anticipated exhibition coming to Paris this spring that we can’t wait to see!