Has anyone been to the Musée Cognacq-Jay and/or Nissim de Camondo Museum?
Are they very similiar in appearance and focus? Too much duplication to do both on the same trip?

I was a little disappointed in Camondo (maybe it was an off-day for me), but the story of the family is fascinating and sad. I also went to the Parc Monceau; it was a Sunday and the place was packed! But for private house museums, I much prefer Jacquemart-Andre. Never been to Cognacq-Jay.

Been to all 3 ..Jacquemart-Andre would rank #1, of the camondo and Cognacq-Jay, I would go for Camondo, more displays, good furniture, if you are intersted in that and a more personal "feel". The galleries at C-J are quite small and ovr-filled for my tast, though they sometimes have good temp. exhibits on.

Marmottan and Jaquemart Andre are two favorites of mine listed thus far.

I've also enjoyed a couple of the smaller museums which are affillated with, but separate from, the main Louvre building. The Musee des Arts de la Mode et du Textile has lovely displays of fashion and fabrics through the ages,(http://www.paris.org/Musees/Arts.Textile/info.html) and the Musee de la Publicite has great old advertising posters (www.ucad.fr/pub/)

For any Edith Piaf fans out there, there is a small museum dedicated to her; not sure where it is and think it is by appt. only. Probably could find it online. I've been meaning to go to it for years.

The Edith Piaf Museum is at:

5 rue Crespin du Gast
Tel: 43 55 52 72
Closest Metro sta: Menilmontant
Hours: Mon-Thurs 1PM-6PM by apptmt.

You can find her grave at the Cimetiere du Pere Lachaise. She has a very modest grave site.

Larry J

I agree the the Jewish Museum is interesting. Be aware, however, that it is not included on the Carte Musee.

My wife and I visited the Baccarat Museum the last time we were in Paris. She enjoyed it, and I enjoyed that she didn't buy anything.
((H))

It's not everyone's cup of tea but I liked the Musee de la Serrure (Lock Museum) in the 3rd near the Picasso Museum at 1 rue de la Perle.

It has a small, interesting collection of old locks and keys. I found the metal working and intricate engraving patterns fascinating.

Interested in the Jean Moulin Museum (WWII resistance.) Has anyone been and/or know where it is located?

It's right behind the Montparnasse station, in the Jardin Atlantique. Be sure to go to the Leclerc Memorial next door. Upstairs they have a panoramic multimedia presentation of the occupation and liberation of Paris. Very moving to say the least.

It is on an upper level, so you take an elevator from the sidewalk outside the station (or at least that's what I did).

RE: RonZ & LV Sue

Thanks for the info on the Jean Moulin Museum.

ttt

Musée de Montmartre - this is a small museum with some fairly interesting exhibits relating to early Montmartre. Any explanations were in French only, as I recall. It was pleasant enough, but not 'unforgettable'. Just one of the stops during our meandering of the area.
- doubt it's on the pass, but if you like Salvador Dali, the exhibit at Place du Tertre is pretty cool (a lot of pieces are on loan from a Sarasota, FL museum).

Musee Grevin - kind of fun, lots of wax figures, enjoyed the Hall of Mirrors or whatever they called the special theatre where the 'special effects' show was presented. Could combine this with some Passages explorations as well.

I believe the Basilique de St Denis is on the pass - have you been there?

I have not been to the Basilique de St Denis, but you reminded me of some previous good comments about it.

Have not gone since it looked like it would take some time to get to it, thought it might be in a questionable are, and didn't know if it was a "stand-alone" attraction.

I haven't yet been, but Musee de la Orangerie has found its way onto my list of sites to see. Has anyone been there?

The Metro station(line 13 terminus?) is maybe 1/8 mile from the cathedral, and there is a tourist office and a corner cafe in the block across from the cathedral. We also just walked up/down a couple of streets, popped into local stores, generally poking around, had baguette lunch etc. The ladies at the TI were very friendly and loaded me down with beaucoup brochures about St Denis, the stadium, etc.
I don't think there is anything too seedy or ominous about the cathedral area. Maybe people wouldn't want to spend the nights there and return late on the Metro, but absolutely fine for daytime activity.
I rcall that the carving of St Denis holding his own head is over a side door on the 'garden' side, rather than over the main entrance.

but to finish the thought, I would say the cathedral is the draw - the immediate area is an average working class kind of environment, not charming but not scary, either. I haven't tried seeing if you can 'view' over PagesJaunes, maybe you could do that...

Travelnut, thanks for all the good insight - think I'll give it a try on the next trip. Might be able to combine it with something else on the same metro line or general area.