Musée des Arts et Métiers
4.6
(9.5k)This industrial design museum, housed in a converted priory, showcases eight centuries of French innovation in science and technology. It's a repository for scientific instruments and inventions, with a vast collection of objects and drawings. You'll find everything from early scientific instruments to ancient cars and airplanes.
Address
60 Rue Réaumur, 75003 Paris, France
Opening Hours
10:00 AM – 6:00 PM (Thu)
Phone
+33 1 53 01 82 63
Worth it?
Worth it if you're fascinated by the history of invention and can spend hours exploring detailed exhibits
Skip if you prefer modern, hands-on science museums
Location
60 Rue Réaumur, 75003 Paris, France
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Highlights
Foucault's pendulum is on display in the former church of St-Martin-des-Champs Priory, alongside monumental objects like cars and planes.
The museum houses an original model of the Statue of Liberty by Frédéric Auguste Bartholdi and Blaise Pascal's Pascaline, the first mechanical calculator.
You can see some of the first planes, including Clément Ader's Avion III and Louis Blériot's Blériot XI.
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Who it's for
Anyone interested in the evolution of technology and engineering, especially those who appreciate historical artifacts over interactive displays. It's also suitable for families, though younger children might find the lack of interactive exhibits less engaging.
Know before you go
The museum is closed on Mondays.
Wheelchair users and one accompanying person receive free entry, though some parts of the museum may still present accessibility challenges.
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Reviews
4.6
Exceptional
5 ReviewsVisitors generally find the museum's extensive collection of historical scientific and technological artifacts to be highly interesting and well-laid out. While many appreciate the depth of the exhibits, some note a lack of modern interactive elements and occasional accessibility issues for wheelchair users.
Fun facts
The museum was founded in 1794 and has been housed in the deserted priory of Saint-Martin-des-Champs since its inception.
The collection includes Nicolas Cugnot's 1770 Fardier, considered the first portable steam engine and self-propelled vehicle.
The museum is featured in Umberto Eco's 1988 novel "Foucault's Pendulum" and the 2019 documentary "Liberty: Mother of Exiles."
