Musee Carnavalet

We wanted to visit the Musee Carnavalet for a special exhibit on the Marais.  We realized at that point that while we have visited the Carnavalet many times for special shows, but we could not remember when we had seen the permanent collection.  Well.  It turned out that both of us found the Marais show boring, which almost never happens, since we can always find something interesting to at least one of us.  But no, not this time.  So it was on to the permanent collection.  It was quickly apparent that despite many visits over the years, we had never explored the permanent parts of the museum. 

The Carnavalet is the official museum of Paris, so in that way it is limited.  But, Paris really is the center of French history and culture, so in that way it has a broad subject.  In addition to the paintings and sculptures, there were rooms of furniture in various styles, and historical objects such as locks of hair of the royal family of Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette.

So...some of the highlights....

 This one's for you, Ginny! 

This is a recreation of the rooms in which Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette were confined before they were guillotined.  Much of the furniture and furnishings are original.  

 Apparently the billiards were played a little differently. 

 There were a few models of historic occasions.