~Which Museum??~

Paris has over 150 museums. The variety is impressive.  There is something for everyone; fashion, postage, photography, architecture, history, chocolate, puppets, magic, sculpture, rocks and art.  Most people know of the Louvre, but how many have heard of the Musee de la Contrefacon (counterfeiting).
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

IMPORTANT:  Before you venture out to see any museum, find out the days the museum is closed and if it is open or "under construction".  Construction is a very common in Paris!


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.

~Signs, Signs, Signs ~

Signs are everywhere...old wrought iron signs, new LED signs, signs to give directions, warning signs, information signs, signs to designate a business or historical landmark.  Here are a few that caught my eye.

This 19th century restaurant in Montmartre boasts serving many of the Impressionist artists.

The sign outside of the Mosque of Paris.

A sign in a small garden area beside a church.."no bikes, no dogs and no ball games".

One of the famous music halls.

As you will notice, these directional signs are everywhere and they are very helpful!

Yes, Domino's....even in Paris.

The street signs that are located on the corners of buildings.  They give the arrondissment at the top, the name of the street and anything else that might be of interest.  This sign says you are on Rue Jean Lantier, in the first arrondissment and that Jean Lantier lived here in the 13th century.

This shop sold......underwear.

The sign says it all.  (Some people can't change.)

Several examples of the directional signs at major intersections.

This is some sort of Catholic association, next to one of the cathedrals.

LED signs...these are new!

It is important to learn English, the language of business.

Signs advertising learning English are especially plentiful on the Metro.

The sign above the locksmith shop.

Books bought and sold ~ in the Passage Vivienne.

Shoes

A popular restaurant and nightclub.

These signs are especially helpful when you are in an area of narrow winding alleyways~

like Montmartre.

More LED.

Another locksmith.

 This is a "slippery when wet~danger of falling" sign. It was in one of the museums.

 This sign was in the Paris History Museum...we think it is a sign for 

an exterminator judging by the rats.

  The historical markers will be found at every important site in Paris.

 This is another sign in the Paris History Museum...probably the eye doctor.

These are all the rules for taking care of your dog...including picking up after him.

This is another sign for an Optician.

The street where we stayed in 2008.

The shop sign says " the last drop"....it is a well known wine shop.

I hope you enjoyed your tour of Paris by way of the signs....