Musée des Arts Décoratifs — Attraction in Paris

This review is for the Petite Prince exhibition « À LA RENCONTRE DU PETIT PRINCE » only (not the museums permanent collection). Don’t let my opinion discourage you from visiting the entire museum which is included in the ticket entry and there are other temporary exhibitions on at the same time so you can still get value from your visit.

This petit prince temporary exhibition is large and dense. While there are English language pamphlets and numerous translations, the typical/average visitor (who isn’t fluent in French) will likely find the exhibition more challenging than you would expect from other galleries both in Paris and in other major cities. The first thing I’d mention is the exhibition is probably not child friendly in its design (for those visiting with families). By this I mean it’s not very focused on the Petit Prince character and about taking a young visitor to the museum on a journey within that story. It is primarily focused on the biographical aspects and life of the author.

There are dozens and dozens of handwritten letters. Some are translated, many are not. The English language translations are merely adequate and not to the quality of a native speaker (numerous typos, spelling mistakes, overly faithful adherence to French sentence structure rather than English sentences and vocabulary choice). While not everything is translated, the choice of what was omitted is sometimes baffling (simple, short and repetitive letters of little consequence between mother and child are translated but numerous adulthood letters or poems between husband and wife/fiancé are not).

The layout of the exhibit is not overly clear nor easy to follow. This applies to the room flow as well as the labelling of the items. Items are numbered but the labels are often after the items are already viewed. This might work for visual art but this exhibition is full of letters so the context is backwards. Numbering is from the bottom up (?!) and occasionally the numbers and labels don’t actually match.

I’m usually getting a season pass to visit the same museum exhibitions more than once but I will not be doing it for this exhibition. Interesting but I probably would’ve enjoyed a webpage or YouTube video on the topic more than I did the exhibition itself.

Suggestion to museum curator team to make themes clearer, rooms more focused, flow and labelling better (also improve lighting) and use native English speakers to proof...

A couple of days ago I went to visit this museum and I was very pleasantly surprised.

First of all, every staff member I met was very helpful and polite. Some of the staff obviously do not speak english very well - and why should they, this is France after all - but they tried very hard to be helpful, volunteering information and making suggestions about how to find some of the exhibits and so on - sometimes offering help even when we were just wandering about! We were going to take some photos of some of the jewellery, but a staff member told us that this was not allowed - in a very kind manner. This was in stark contrast to the the Pompidou Centre which I visited the day before, where the staff were very snooty and up themselves - well done Musée des Arts Décoratifs staff, merci beaucoup, vous êtes des gagnants!! (To the staff at the Pompidou Centre: you thought you'd be someone special but you have to deal with hordes of tiresome tourists all day - I weep for your shattered dreams).

Second - this museum has a great range of exhibits - jewellery, ceramics, furniture, glassware - the curated collections of the Memphis Design Group and the collection of contemporary ceramics were particularly good for example. Now wait, I hear you say, I didn't go to Paris to see some pots and chairs, I went to Paris to have my photo taken in the Hall of Mirrors at Versailles and to complain about how difficult it was to get close to the Mona Lisa. Of course! We all indulge in these precious fantasies! But think of how thrilling it would be to find something new, something you knew nothing about, expanded horizons, that is the pearl in the oyster that this museum offers you.

Third - it was quiet, calm and there were no waiting lines. I don't want to ruin the atmosphere of the museum by encouraging a rampaging horde to invade this delightful oasis but I urge you to give this place a go, I hope you will find it as satisfying as I did.

Fourth - really nice views out of the windows up on...

The Musée des Arts Décoratifs, also known as the Museum of Decorative Arts, is a museum located in the Palais du Louvre in Paris, France. It is dedicated to the exhibition and preservation of decorative arts, including furniture, textiles, ceramics, glassware, jewelry, and fashion.

The museum was established in 1905 and is one of the largest decorative arts museums in the world. Its collection spans from the Middle Ages to the present day, with a focus on French craftsmanship and design. The museum showcases a wide range of objects, from exquisite furniture and tapestries to intricate porcelain and silverware.

The Musée des Arts Décoratifs also features temporary exhibitions that explore various themes and periods in decorative arts. These exhibitions often include collaborations with contemporary designers, artists, and fashion houses, making the museum a vibrant and dynamic space for creativity and innovation.

In addition to its exhibition spaces, the museum also houses a library, a study center, and a conservation workshop. It offers educational programs, workshops, and guided tours for visitors of all ages.

The Musée des Arts Décoratifs is a must-visit for anyone interested in the history and evolution of decorative arts. Its vast collection and diverse exhibitions provide a unique insight into the world of design, craftsmanship, and...