Les Arts Décoratifs

Les Arts Décoratifs Review

Sharing a wing of the Musée du Louvre, but with a separate entrance and admission charge, the Musée des Arts Décoratifs is home to a stellar collection of decorative arts. Spread across nine floors, the vast holdings include altarpieces from the Middle Ages and furnishings from the Italian Renaissance to the present day. There are period rooms reflecting the ages, such as the early 1820s salon of the Duchesse de Berry, who actually lived in the building, and several rooms reproduced from designer Jeanne Lanvin's 1920s apartment. Don't miss the gilt-and-green velvet bed of the Parisian courtesan who inspired the boudoir in Émile Zola's novel Nana. You can hear Zola's description of it on the free English audioguide, which is highly recommended. Don't miss the impressive jewelry gallery on the second floor.

The arts center comprises two other museums—more aptly called departments—which play host to temporary exhibitions. The Musée de la Mode et du Textiles (Museum of Fashion and Textiles), for instance, spotlights designers such as Sonia Rykiel. The other department, the Musée de la Publicité, is dedicated to advertising and publicity. Temporary exhibitions are staged in the Nef (nave). There is also a quiet restaurant, Le Saut du Loup, with an outdoor terrace that serves lunch even on Monday when the museum is closed. A joint ticket is available with the exquisite Musée Nissim de Camondo. If you're combining a visit here with the Musée du Louvre, note that the museums close on different days, so don't come on Monday or Tuesday.