Air and Space Museum — Attraction in Le Raincy

Incredible Journey through Aviation History - A Must-Visit for All Ages!

My recent visit to the Air Space Museum was an absolute delight! From the moment I stepped foot inside, I was captivated by the rich history of aviation that unfolded before my eyes. As an avgeek, this was truly a dream come true.

The museum offers a comprehensive and immersive experience that takes you on a journey through the evolution of aviation. Starting from the early days of flight, you get to witness the remarkable progress made in the field. From the iconic Concorde and majestic Boeing 747 to the powerful Transall and groundbreaking A380, there was something to marvel at around every corner.

The museum's exhibits are well-curated and beautifully presented, showcasing the milestones and achievements of aviation pioneers. The attention to detail in recreating historical aircraft and the extensive collection of artifacts left me in awe. It was truly fascinating to see how technology and engineering have shaped the world of aviation.

What makes this museum even more special is its appeal to visitors of all ages. Kids and adults alike will be enthralled by the interactive displays, flight simulators, and informative videos. The museum offers a perfect blend of education and entertainment, making it an ideal destination for families. It's an excellent opportunity to inspire the next generation of aviation enthusiasts.

The staff at the Air Space Museum deserve a special mention. They were knowledgeable, friendly, and passionate about aviation. Their enthusiasm was infectious and added to the overall positive experience.

I cannot recommend this museum enough, especially for aviation enthusiasts like myself. Whether you're a seasoned avgeek or simply curious about flight, this place is a treasure trove of knowledge and excitement. Make sure to allocate ample time for your visit because you'll want to explore every nook and cranny. I'm already planning my next trip back!

In conclusion, the Air Space Museum offers an amazing day filled with aviation history, incredible exhibits, and a one-of-a-kind experience. It's a must-visit for both kids and adults, guaranteeing an unforgettable adventure. So, buckle up and prepare for a super, super time at this...

A bit hard to get to - one must leave the touristy part of the city, and go out into a grittier environment. We rode the metro out to the bus stop, and a helpful old French lady finally broke through the language barrier and told us the bus didn't stop there anymore. After consulting the internet, other plans were made, another bus located, and we arrived at Le Bourget, fabled airport of Lindbergh's arrival.

Don't expect the Smithsonian air and space museum. There are wonders of aviation here, but they aren't presented like in the U.S. It is decidedly more French. You won't see a lot about Lindbergh but you will see the discarded undercarriage of the Oiseau Blanc, the plane that was lost in an attempt to fly from Paris to New York a week before Lindbergh's flight. I thought I knew a bit about aviation history, but I'd never heard of the French experiments with high speed flight in the 1950s that reminded me of the U.S. "X-plane" flights - these are all lovingly and thoroughly presented.

The highlight was the Concorde, or to be precise, Concordes. Two of them, one in Air France and one in British Airways livery. You can walk right into both of them, although areas like the cockpit are restricted. Also there is an Air France Boeing 747 that you can explore.

A few things were in disrepair - I got the impression that maybe there isn't a lot of funding to keep the place up, although it was still a fascinating place. It has a nicely stocked gift shop and a friendly staff running the cafeteria (when I asked if anyone parlezed anglais, they helpfully ran to the back and produced a young lady with a wonderful command of the language). If you are an aviation enthusiast with a few hours to kill in Paris, take the metro and the bus out there (or, maybe just grab an Uber and save yourself some trouble). There are interesting things to...

a short distance by car from Paris, the museum is a nice view at the history of the aeronautics from a French/European perspective. Did you know that France had a nuclear deterrent policy during cold war? Or that many of the aeroplanes and helicopters that fought in the Korean and Vietnam wars also were used during the French XX century colonial wars? (Algiers)

The airplanes in exhibition and maquettes are fantastic. Some areas are closed due to renovation (Debuts de l'aviation), and still is a great visit. You have indoors areas, and outdoors: where you can see the Ariadne 1 and 5, climb a 747 and look at the interior of the fuselage. Indoors are the 2 concordes: the 1st, a prototype, never used for the commercial flights (used for scientific flights), and a commercial version: you cannot believe what smaller the cabins where! Compared to today's wide body airplanes like the 777 or Airbus 380. Yet the Concorde still is one of the most beautiful planes ever (commercial).

Why not 5 starts? Let's see the renovation of some areas, but the museum shows it ages, several interactive flight simulators available (Microsoft Flight Simulator!), few videos, but needs more interactivity. Also more languages: French, English and German the only one available, and not in every place. The cafeteria and the boutique do not invite for staying a little bit more, and in some hangars were dirty around! Hall 1939-1945 in particular, and it does not look today as in the 360 picture in the website!

Will I go again? Yes! Sure! and take more time looking at some cross sections that are incredible. For a few days in Paris, worth going there? Not the typical Parisian experience, however if you like technology and the history of flight it adds another vision: worth visiting, plan for 4 hours and no good French cuisine at all, bring...