Our favorite museums in the Marais

Discover the must-see museums of the Marais district in Paris, from the Musée Cognacq-Jay with its 18th-century art to the renowned Musée Picasso , passing by the Maison Européenne de la Photographie and the Fondation Henri Cartier-Bresson . Also explore the Musée d'Art et d'Histoire du Judaïsme , the Shoah Memorial , the Musée Carnavalet , the Musée de la Chasse et de la Nature , and the Maison de Victor Hugo for a unique cultural journey in the heart of the capital.

Cognacq-Jay Museum, ©Le Marais Mood

Unjustly overlooked, the Cognacq-Jay Museum is a Marais Mood favorite. This little gem of French heritage is, in principle, not to be missed under any circumstances by lovers of classical art. No excuses are possible: admission 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 needs no introduction except to mention that it houses the largest collection of Picasso's works in the world, with approximately 5,000 works bequeathed by the Picasso family after the master's death in 1973.

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 Maison Européenne de la Photographie ( MEP ), located in the Saint-Paul district, has been the leading 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 program on their website.

Further north, at 79 rue des Archives, near rue de Bretagne, another photography institution is well worth a visit. The Henri Cartier-Bresson Foundation is dedicated to preserving the legacy of the photographer of the "decisive moment," many of whose images are part of the collective memory of the 20th century. The FHCB organizes approximately three exhibitions a year, which also showcase some of the master's eminent colleagues, such as Martin Parr, Raymond Depardon, and Eugène Atget.

Among the Marais Mood's favorite venues is the Museum of Jewish Art and History (mahJ), whose remarkable programming is always relevant and driven by top-notch curatorial expertise. Beyond its magnificent collection of Jewish art, the mahJ, located on rue du Temple, offers exhibitions that highlight the lives of prominent figures in the Jewish world. Alfred Dreyfus, Sigmund Freud, Marc Chagall, Alberto Giacometti, Helena Rubinstein, Gotlib, and Leonard Cohen have all been featured in this museum with its eclectic and unexpected programming.

The Shoah Memorial , also logically located in the Marais district, lies at the heart of what was once the Jewish quarter. The Pletzl ("little square" in Yiddish), Place Saint-Paul, is the most famous Jewish quarter in Paris, dating back to the 13th century. The Shoah Memorial houses several memorial sites: the Tomb of the Unknown Jewish Martyr, the Wall of Names, the Children's Memorial, and the Wall of the Righteous Among the Nations. It also hosts 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, focuses on hunting as it was practiced during the reign of the French kings. Its collection of taxidermied animals, including an impressive polar bear standing on its hind legs, is one of the unique features of this private museum, which also appeals to children.

Finally, the Maison de Victor Hugo , located in his house on the Place des Vosges, retraces the life of the great writer in every sense of the word (he was 1.78m tall) who died in 1885. Committed writer, poet, playwright, novelist, politician, the author of Notre-Dame-de-Paris and Les Misérables was also an artist (he produced more than 4,000 drawings) and a decorator whose talent is evident in this vast house furnished by him. The Asian wall designed for his mistress, the actress Juliette Drouet, is strikingly modern.