Here are a few of the lesser known museums that we've enjoyed.
Rodin Museum
The Rodin Museum displays sculpture both indoors and out. The lovely garden showcases several large sculptures including "The Thinker". Located in the 7th arr. it's very near the Invalides.
"The Kiss"
Musee de Mineralogie and Geologie
The minerology museum is just one of the museums located in the Jardin des Plantes. This museum is remarkable in its presentation of the rock and gem specimens. The rooms are dark, only the display cases are lit to illuminate each display. The collection is extensive.
The collection of giant crystals is exceptional. These crystals were much taller than me, easily 6 ft.
Musee de l'Armee
The Military Museum located in the Invalides is an unsung treasure. It can't be seen in just one day. The museum spans 4 buildings on 4 floors; the themes include Arms and Armor, 17th-19th century arms and weapons, First World War & Second World War. There is also section devoted to relief maps with scale models of towns, harbors and fortresses.
We spent one day in the World I and World War II section . I posted our visit previously; you can see that on this link: Musee de l'Armee.
Below are just a few photos of the extensive collections.
Small models depict military uniforms from the 7th century through the 20th century.
These represent the time of Charlemagne circa 768.
A collection of various types of grenades.
The Maritime Museum
The marine museum is located in the Trocodero across from the Eiffel Tower. It is small but the exhibits are well done. Most are scale models but the collection includes many important artifacts dating from the 17th c. to the present day. The displays show the technical and scientific evolution of navigation. There is also a large collection of maritime art.
The Emperor's personal barge.
A warship outfitted with canons.
A ship with attached protective mesh
Diving suit
Lighthouse Fresnel lens developed by French physicist Augustin-Jean Fresnel
Shipbuilding models
Marine Compass
Music Museum
The Cite de la Musique is located in the large park, La Villette. I had read about it in the Michelin Guide.
It was one of our most favorite excursions. There is a previous post dedicated to the music museum and includes many more photos of the unusual instruments. After we visited, we suggested this site to anyone who asked for suggestions of sites to see. There wasn't one person who had ever heard of it.
The museum contains over 900 instruments and follows the evolution of musical instruments from the 17th c. on. It also includes instruments used by famous musicians, scale models of the great opera houses, Asian and African instruments and the tools used to make instruments. The audio guide is superb.
clavecin
lutes
harps
omnitonic horn (18th cent.)
The Violin family
Model of the Palais Garnier in Paris
Octobass
Instruments from various Asian countries
Musee de la Contrefacon
This is the museum of counterfeiting. It has been on my "to see" list for all 4 of our trips to Paris. (It is only open for a couple hours on certain days of the week.) The museum exhibits more than 350 items, pairing each counterfeit with its authentic original. It is located in the 16th arr., 16 rue de la Faisanderie. The closest Metro is Porte Dauphine.
We definitely will not be at a loss for finding a museum that we haven't seen. There are at least 120 more to search out and explore.
