Audio GuideMusée Cognacq-Jay
Collection amassed by founders of La Samaritaine department store, including works by Canaletto.
Museum
Paris, France
Welcome to Musée Cognacq-Jay, an intimate and charming museum located in the heart of Paris in the third arrondissement. Situated in the historic Hôtel de Donon, constructed over four centuries ago in the late sixteenth century, the museum captivates visitors with its remarkable high roof and an attic with a design reminiscent of an upturned ship’s hull.
This cultural gem is the generous bequest of Ernest Cognacq and his wife, Marie-Louise Jay, founders of the renowned La Samaritaine department store. Following Ernest's passing in nineteen twenty-eight, their extraordinary collection was gifted to the City of Paris. The museum opened to the public a year later and was relocated in nineteen ninety. It now showcases approximately one thousand artworks and artefacts.
Focused on the elegance of eighteenth-century art and decorative arts, the collection features masterpieces by illustrious artists such as Rembrandt, Canaletto, Chardin, and Watteau, alongside sculptures by Houdon and Clodion. Visitors will discover an inspiring array of paintings, sculptures, exquisite furniture, porcelain, and other refined objects that encapsulate the spirit of the Enlightenment era.
Situated in the lively Marais district, the museum offers a glimpse into history with period rooms boasting original woodwork and furnishings. Regular temporary exhibitions provide a modern perspective, ensuring each visit offers a distinct and enriching journey into the cultural heritage of Paris.
Listen to this and other guides in app
