Audio GuideMusée des Arts Décoratifs
Musée des Arts décoratifs
Imposing museum with ornate ceramics, crystal and fine furniture, from Middle ages to present day.
Welcome to the Musée des Arts Décoratifs in Paris, a noteworthy museum located in the historic Pavillon de Marsan at the Louvre Palace on Rue de Rivoli. Established in nineteen hundred and five by members of the Union des Arts Décoratifs, this museum offers an exploration of the development of French design and decorative arts from the thirteenth century up to the present day.
Inside, you will discover a remarkable collection nearing one million items, encompassing French furniture, elegant tableware, intricately woven carpets, exquisite porcelain from a celebrated national manufacturer, and striking glass art by renowned designers such as René Lalique and Émile Gallé. Key exhibitions highlight works and design movements including Art Nouveau, Art Déco, and contemporary design, featuring contributions from pioneers like Eileen Gray and Charlotte Perriand.
Among its outstanding exhibits are period rooms that narrate intriguing stories. These include a dining room styled by the graphic artist Eugène Grasset, a gilded cabinet from the mid-eighteenth century, and even a one-of-a-kind ceiling that once belonged to Jeanne Baptiste d’Albert de Luynes. A landmark exhibition in nineteen sixty-six famously coined the term Art Déco, marking a pivotal moment in design history.
Following a significant renovation from the mid-nineties to two thousand and six, the museum now enjoys modern collaborations, including an alliance with the Loewe Foundation. This makes it an essential destination for anyone wishing to delve into the rich heritage of French decorative arts and design.