Museum of Arts and Metiers visitor guide

Visit Museum of Arts and Metiers, Paris

The Museum of Arts and Metiers (Arts and Crafts/Trades) is a museum in the 3rd arrondissement of Paris, on Rue Réaumur.

Discover the Museum of Arts and Metiers in Paris

France This Way review: we found this museum to be very interesting with a very large number of interesting artefacts, and more focused on innovation and progress in industry than we expected. In our time of GPS, internet, Artificial Intelligence and robots running marathons, it is very interesting to be reminded of the early innovations that were the first steps that led us to our current state of technology.

Despite the name of the museum there is little attention to arts, and much more attention to innovations in industry and science, timekeeping and technology, science and space exploration, although there is great artistry in the design of many early scientific inventions.

The wide range of artefacts includes things such as the workings of an early mining machine and the workings of an early particle accelerator, a large recreation of the construction of the bust of the Statue of Liberty and a recreation of the scientific laboratory of renowned French scientist Lavoisier.

Among our favourite highlights were the Foucault's Pendulum, and the large flying craft designed rather like a bat displayed in a large open staircase. I could easily list many other interesting exhibits but this article would become rather long and it is far better to visit the Museum of Arts and Metiers than to see a long list of the exhibits!

After you have explored the main part of the extensive museum and think the visit must be complete you reach our favourite part of the museum. Set inside the large open space body of a deconsecrated church, there is a fascinating collection of very early vehicles, mostly cars and aeroplanes.

The church itself would merit a visit as an attraction, but you will also see aeroplanes suspended in the air, and metal structures that fill the whole height of the space, with early cars and other vehicles on display.

One slight negative with this museum is that it appears slightly dated, and there are very few interactive elements, which would keep children more interested in a visit. On the plus side, there are many information panels, with text in French and English, which makes a visit very informative for adults.

Visit the Museum of Arts and Metiers

The closest metro station to the museum is called Arts et Métiers, on metro lines 3 and 11. Not only is this station very close to the museum, but it is also an attraction in its own right, with the platform on line 11 decorated with a theme inspired by Jules Verne and rather like being inside a submarine, with decorative elements in bronze - it is one of the most interesting and impressive metro stations in Paris.

Entrance to the permanent exhibits is around 12 euros, and a visit is likely to last two - four hours. Entrance is free on Friday evenings from 18.00 - 21.00 and on the first Sunday of each month.

Temporary exhibitions are often held in the museum, and an extra charge is payable for these.

Attractions nearby

Another little known attraction that we recommend you visit near the museum is the Saint-Jacques Tower, with remarkable views across the roofs of Paris.

You can find more travel ideas in the Paris region guide.

To make travel arrangements to visit Museum of Arts and Metiers see HERE