You ’ve been to the Louvre , the Orsay , and the Rodin . We ’re not enjoin they ’re not worth a visit , but they do n’t hold scalpel that have excised royal fistulas ( more on this in a minute ) . Paris is basically one jumbo museum made of dozens of other museum , but there are many more , beyond the usual suspects you ’ll detect in the guide books . We ’ve rounded up the oddest museums in Paris that you definitely ( well , likely ) have n’t visited yet .
Musée de l’érotisme
The Museum of Eroticism is right at home in Pigalle , located just a two - moment walk from the Moulin Rouge – and surrounded by the Pigalle locality ’s many sex shop . The museum provides a historic look at intimate activity over the one C , including tribal artefact , contemporary pop graphics , and an full incision devoted to brothels . incoming is onlyeight euro if you buy online , so you’re able to give to check up on it out before getting spendy at the nearbySexodrome , where you ’ll be able to foot up some supplies that can help you put your sex museum training to apply .
Fragonard Museum
Located at the ending of Métro Line 8 , near Maison d’Alfort , this museum is actually part of Paris ’ veterinary school . The main intellect to visit : the illustrious écorchés . Something akin to the modern - day “ Bodies ” display , these once - living specimens date from 250 years ago : buck , monkeys , adult human race , and even foetus have been flayed and preserved . in the beginning intended for report , they nowadays be for your morbid enjoyment . The seven euro introduction comes with an audio guide in both French and English .
Smoking Museum
A museum dedicated to smoke ? Well , this is Paris , after all . smoke inside only became illegal here 10 year ago , and cigarettes are still very much a part of our city – and its sidewalks . This quaint museum documents all of these changes ( include the ho-hum emanation of electronic cigaret ) . Opened in 2001 , the gallery features plenty of artefact and information to interest even the most impassioned non - smoker . And do n’t worry – unlike its subject , this museum does n’t cause cancer or reduce your sperm count .
Musée des Moulages
Housed in Hôpital Saint - Louis , which dates from the 17th C , this museum is not in the main open to the public , and it accept some effort to get in – but we rely it ’s worth it . you could check out nearly 5,000 wax molds from the 19th century , illustrating all of the monstrous skin disorders that people faced over a 100 ago . From syphilis to elephantiasis – as well as some seriously gnarly acne – this museum has it all . Do n’t plan luncheon afterwards .
Police Museum
Since 1909 , this museum has housed exhibits tracing over four centuries of police action in Paris . For those concerned in criminal offence and punishment , this is the stead to geek out on stories about the city ’s biggest malefactor . Plus , it ’s free to chew the fat the 2,000 artifacts located within .
Museum of the History of Medicine
settle in the university , this terrifying museum houses one of the oldest collection of aesculapian instruments in Europe . The instruments , some of which day of the month back several C , look downright crude today – but most of these in reality worked , albeit distressingly . For example , you could check over out a scalpel belonging to Dr. Felix , the man who operated on Louis XIV ’s anal retentive fistula in 1686 . The magnate go on to die at eld 76 , so apparently , the good doctor did something correct .
Museum of Magic
Yes , this exists . Fans ofHarry Potterwill joy over this historical looking at at magic over the 100 . Do n’t expect anything too fancy , but various tricks and optical illusions are housed beneath the vaulted ceiling . The museum also feature more than 100automates , or wind - up toys , go steady from the 19th C . Kids might be a small underwhelmed by the deficiency of special effects , but genuine magic fans will appreciate it .
Doll Museum
For something more phratry - favorable , the Paris Doll Museum offer a look at miniature and collectible from around the humans . Since 1994 , over 600 dolls have filled the shelves of this creation in the Marais , enrapture some youngster and instil nightmares in others ( and in us ) . Some of the more freakish , helping hand - paint specimens are border Chucky - esque . But overall , this situation is adorable to chat , and even feature a doll repair shop , in eccentric your Cabbage Patch Kid involve some stitching up .
Pavillon de l’Arsenal
It ’s not exactly a hidden gem , but this Google - developed heading , which open up in 2011 , is still a place for which not enough people make time . It ’s an modern space that detail the history – and explores the time to come – of Paris ’ computer architecture and landscape . The space uses Google function to explore change across the city , and features a huge photomosaic of screens , which are best see from the second layer . Also upstairs , you ’ll recover temporary exhibit touch to new mental synthesis or other projects in Paris . You do n’t need to be an urban planner to savour it . And , to sweeten the slew , it ’s innocent .
Edith Piaf Museum
Sorry , Céline Dion : Edith Piaf was the most iconic French - mouth vocaliser of the twentieth century . A Parisian apartment where she once lived now put up a petite museum to the superstar , showcasing everything from varsity letter to her stage shoe . It ’s detached , but you have to test your French and call to schedule a visit . Nearby in the twentieth arrondissement , dependable Piaf fans can also natter her tomb at the Père Lachaise Cemetery , as well as the house where she was allegedly born , at 72 rue de Belleville ( even if the story is apocryphal , it ’s still part of the legend , right ? ) .
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Wikimedia/Emile Barret
Musée de l’érotisme de Paris
Flickr/Service photo du Département du Val-de-Marne
Flickr/Ed Ogle
Wikimedia/Emile Barret
Musée de la Poupée
Pierre l’Excellent - Pavillon de l’Arsenal
