Musée Guimet

Musée Guimet Review

One of the best smaller museums in Paris, the Guimet National Museum of Asian Arts has a world-class collection that traces its roots to the Lyonnais industrialist Émile Guimet. His extensive travels in the late 19th century resulted in a priceless collection of Indo-Chinese and Far Eastern treasures. The collection, enriched by the state's vast holdings, is laid out geographically in airy, light-filled rooms, thanks to a top-end renovation (1998-2000). Just past the entry, you can find the largest collection of Khmer sculpture outside of Cambodia, including astonishing 12th-century statues of female divinities. The second floor has statuary and masks from Nepal, ritual funeral objects from Tibet, and jewelry and fabrics from India. Peek into the old library rotunda, with wood-paneled walls and ionic columns topped with carytids: this is where Monsieur Guimet used to entertain the city's notables; and Mata Hari danced here in 1905. The China collection is comprehensive, spanning the dynasties. On the third floor is an 18th-century model of a Chinese pavilion in delicately sculpted ivory, with tiny figurines. Up the stairs is the China Laquer Rotunda with two large screens from the Qing dynasty with flora and fauna motifs. (There's also a nice view of Paris.) Pick up a free English-language audioguide and brochure at the entrance. If you need a pick-me-up, stop at the basement café, Salon des Porcelaines, for a ginger milk shake. Don't miss the Guimet's impressive Buddhist Pantheon, with two floors of Buddhas from China and Japan, and a Japanese garden. Admission is free and it's just up the street at 19 avenue d'Iéna.