Meet the Other Phone. Flexible and made to last.

Meet the Other Phone.
Flexible and made to last.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To ask for your help re history museums in Paris?

38 replies

Sortilege · 05/04/2022 17:05

Shamelessly harnessing the power of AIBU here. I’ve got overwhelmed by the online information.

What are the best, and more accessible, history-orientated museums in Paris? (So not the endless art galleries although I might pop into the Musée d'Orsay.)

I’d quite like to see the Shoah one. Is that accessible? Is there anything that specifically addresses the Velodrome round up, other than the memorial sculpture?

I’ve ruled out Versailles this time as too much of a schlep out of town, although their golf buggies and little train look good.

I will be going for work but have two days to myself midweek. In May.

This will be my first time in Paris since my 20s, my first time alone, and my first time with impaired mobility, but I don’t plan on using a wheelchair, just crutches. I’d maybe hire a mobility scooter if that made things easier and was easy to arrange.

Complicating factor is that I don’t know what accommodation work will book me yet or whether I’ll get much say in that beyond stipulating my accessibility requirements but let’s assume centralish.

OP posts:
Chezrone · 05/04/2022 17:11

Check out this podcast - the musee Carnavalet sounds like could be what you are looking for? podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/join-us-in-france-travel-podcast/id827972274?i=1000527024291

This episode covers it and the show has a wealth of other info you may find useful

Sortilege · 05/04/2022 17:13

Oh fantastic. I love podcast based research. Thanks!

OP posts:
bellabelly · 05/04/2022 17:14

Are you into middle ages stuff? I really liked the musee cluny when I visited (years ago) - it's in central Paris. - link

bellabelly · 05/04/2022 17:17

Although I've just looked at their website and it's closed until 12 May so might not be any good for your trip if you are going earlier than that. [[https://www.musee-moyenage.fr/en/news/a-brand-new-museum/cluny-4.html - website]] I really want to go back there now!

Sortilege · 05/04/2022 17:21

Yes I’ll just miss that (unless I extend my stay). I would love that.

OP posts:
CareBear50 · 05/04/2022 17:21

I've just booked hotel atlantic near galleries lafayette in 8th arrondissement. Not sure if it would suit you but excellent reviews and v central and not expensive. Sorry cannot advise on art galleries

Sortilege · 05/04/2022 17:25

Just looking for the podcast on Spotify @Chezrone (forgotten my apple password so for now it’s a faff to download another platform).

What’s the title exactly? Thanks!

OP posts:
PurpleFlower1983 · 05/04/2022 17:28

It might not be what you’re looking for the Opera House (Palais Garnier) is a stunning building and is very accessible.

gingerhills · 05/04/2022 17:30

Invalides is an amazing war museum. I am not that interested in war but even I thought it was fabulous. It has the armour worn by Napoleon's horse, a piece of armour with a cannon shaped hole right through it - all sorts of things that show what battles were like in history.

Cluny is also lovely.

Sortilege · 05/04/2022 17:40

Oh yes they both sound great.

I might also see which Operas are being staged while I’m there.

I just saw in passing details of an exhibition of women war photographers, which I’ve bookmarked too.

I might manage a theme or two, if I’m organised.

OP posts:
PurpleFlower1983 · 05/04/2022 17:43

The Palais Garnier has the ballet there now rather than operas but the building itself is absolutely stunning and the tour is great.

Shoxfordian · 05/04/2022 17:44

Musee Jacquemart Andre is a gorgeous old mansion with so many beautiful things

www.musee-jacquemart-andre.com/fr/lieu

Plumpcious · 05/04/2022 17:45

I'd re-post this in the Holidays section if I were you, as it's likely to drop down AIBU very quickly.

I don't know what they're like for accessibility but I would suggest:

Carnavalet museum - newly reopened after refurbishment, although probably a lot of walking involved (I visited many years ago and remember it being a large building).

Quai Branly - my absolute favourite museum in Paris, although it's ethnographic so may not be of interest to you. The main collection is on the upper floor and there's an extremely long ramped walkway to get there but it's a modern building so I assume there's a lift somewhere.
www.quaibranly.fr/en/collections/all-collections/history-of-the-collections/

I was going to suggest the Cognacq-Jay (which isn't large and is in an old town-house in the Marais district) but I see it's not wheelchair accessible and doesn't have a lift:
www.museecognacqjay.paris.fr/en/practical-information/access

Sortilege · 05/04/2022 17:49

@PurpleFlower1983

The Palais Garnier has the ballet there now rather than operas but the building itself is absolutely stunning and the tour is great.
Ah! I’ll pop it on my list nevertheless. Okay
OP posts:
Plumpcious · 05/04/2022 17:49

Oh yes, the interior of the Opera Garnier is stunning. You can do a self-guided tour of the public areas (entrance fee). There's an impressive marble staircase (can you do stairs?) but presumably there's a lift too.

www.operadeparis.fr/en/visits/palais-garnier

Sortilege · 05/04/2022 17:49

[quote Shoxfordian]Musee Jacquemart Andre is a gorgeous old mansion with so many beautiful things

www.musee-jacquemart-andre.com/fr/lieu[/quote]
Thank you!

OP posts:
Chezrone · 05/04/2022 17:50

Oops! It’s called ‘join us in France’ ( the podcast) joinusinfrance.com/

Sortilege · 05/04/2022 17:51

[quote Plumpcious]I'd re-post this in the Holidays section if I were you, as it's likely to drop down AIBU very quickly.

I don't know what they're like for accessibility but I would suggest:

Carnavalet museum - newly reopened after refurbishment, although probably a lot of walking involved (I visited many years ago and remember it being a large building).

Quai Branly - my absolute favourite museum in Paris, although it's ethnographic so may not be of interest to you. The main collection is on the upper floor and there's an extremely long ramped walkway to get there but it's a modern building so I assume there's a lift somewhere.
www.quaibranly.fr/en/collections/all-collections/history-of-the-collections/

I was going to suggest the Cognacq-Jay (which isn't large and is in an old town-house in the Marais district) but I see it's not wheelchair accessible and doesn't have a lift:
www.museecognacqjay.paris.fr/en/practical-information/access[/quote]
Thank you. I’m c&ping this all into a list.

Does the holidays board get much traffic? Might be an idea.

Just going to cook now but will be back afterwards.

OP posts:
Sortilege · 05/04/2022 17:52

Thank you @Chezrone !

Will listen while I cook.

OP posts:
Plumpcious · 05/04/2022 17:59

Does the holidays board get much traffic? Might be an idea.

It's more specialised and your thread might stay visible for longer, and therefore attract knowledgeable responses over a period of time. AIBU is a bit hit-and-miss - if a thread takes off it can stick around for ages and generate loads of replies. But if not it can fall out of sight quickly and come to a stop.

Equalizer · 05/04/2022 18:32

Totally second @Plumpcious suggestion Re quai-branly if that is your thing - I really enjoyed it, think only Dahlem in Berlin was better in terms of collection.

longwayoff · 05/04/2022 18:33

If you have time, the church of Saint-Chapelle, stunningly beautiful, like being inside a jewel box. Have a Google.

SpinningTheSeedsOfLove · 05/04/2022 18:44

You gan get to the

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Archaeological_Museum,_France

on the Metro, and it's well worth a visit. I hope you have a brilliant history holiday.

JohannSebastianBach · 05/04/2022 18:51

I enjoyed Musee du Moyen Age.

JohannSebastianBach · 05/04/2022 18:51

De Moyen Age