The Carnavalet Musee is built in remembrance to the history of the city of Paris. The space occupies two adjoining mansions Hotel Carnavalet and the former Hotel Le Peletier de Saint Fargeau. President of the Parliament in the year 1548, Jacques des Ligneris, ordered the construction of the mansion tht is known today as Hotel Carnavalet and was completed after twelve years. The widow of Francois de Kernevenoy, bought the building and was later named Carnavalet. In 1654, Claude Boisleve purchased the mansion. He commissioned a well-known architect, Francois Mansart to make general renovations.
Late 20th century, the museum was raging at the seams. Annexed to the Carnavalet Musee, the Hotel Le Peletier de Saint Fargeau was opened in 1989. It was originally known as the Hotel d’Orgeval. It was purchased by Michel-Etienne Peletier and was passed to its heir Michel-Etinne, a representative of the nobility in the estates General.
There are numerous tourist attractions in the museum such as the elongated thin canoes made from a solo tree trunk, a well-preserved figurine of the head of Virgin Mary, the painting of the famous men and women of the Henry IV’s time. Approximately, there are 2,600 paintings, 150,000 photos, 300,000 carvings, 800 pieces of equipment 2,000 contemporary sculptures, thousands of porcelains, models and reliefs and many other decorations and souvenirs from renowned characters in Paris.
The Carnavalet Musee is situated in the Marais district. It has easy access via Paris Metro system via the Saint Paul or Chemin Vert Stations. The museum is open from Tuesdays through Sundays but closed on Mondays and holidays. The guests entrance is at 23, rue de Sevigne. There is a separate entrance for handicapped as well.
I have actually been able to visit the Carnavalet Musee when I was in Paris, and this is probably the most peaceful and less crowded museums in the whole of Paris. I mean, most of the people and tourists would like to go all out and visit the world renowned museums such as the Louvre or the Orsay Museum. That is my theory as to why this museum is less frequented and less crowded. But nevertheless, I actually enjoyed my tour around the Carnavalet Musee. It is definitely not as grand or as spacious as the Louvre, but the artifacts kept here dating back to the pre-Roman times are still well worth a visit.
What makes this museum different from the other renowned museums is the valuable items it collect. This museum keeps artifacts on the history of the City. It has a collection of many remembrance from different characters and icons that influenced the City of Light. When you are tired of visiting those popular museums in Paris, try to visit this Carnavalet Musee to experience something different. Different collections, different environment.