While for some the Louvre remains the most majestic fine arts offering in Paris, we have to find some competitors, otherwise you would not get the full historical picture. Let’s take a closer look at the 7 th arrondissement, since it is the birthplace of the Eiffel Tower. It is also a mystical pilgrimage site with the Chapelle Notre-Dame-de-la-Médaille-Miraculeuse. And in addition to its many luxury boutiques, the district is also particularly conducive to historical and artistic discovery through its museums.
The Musée de la Légion d’honneur et des ordres de Chevalerie
Here’s a building with a turbulent history if ever there was one: L’hôtel de Salm, which now houses the Musée de la Légion d’honneur. It saw its owner, the Prince of Salm, guillotined. Subsequently, Napoléon Bonaparte claimed the mansion. In so doing, he put an end to a succession of tenants, all of whom had been unable to keep up with the maintenance of the premises. These already bloodied walls were then devastated by fire. What is now the museum was restored continuously until right up until 2017.
Thomas Jefferson, who lived in France from 1785 to 1789, drew inspiration from its colonnade to model the front of the White House.
A little anecdote
A brand new display case is set to be installed in the museum’s contemporary exhibits wing.
By late January 2023, the museum will house around forty of General Monclar’s medals, including some War Cross medals (among them the 14-18 Cross) and a Legion of Merit medal. This officer fought in wars throughout the first half of the 20 th century, on every continent. He would have done Napoleon proud!
Exhibition highlights
If military finery appeals to you, at the Musée de la Légion d’honneur et des ordres de Chevalerie you can view the Spada permanent collection. These 600 pieces unlike any others in the world were curated by Antonio Benedetto Spada, the biggest collector of military finery and medals. These true masterpieces of goldsmithery are the perfect tribute to the illustrious combatants.
Patronage
To support the work of the Grand Chancellery and ensure that France’s great history continues to be passed on to future generations, the museum offers you 3 undertakings to choose from: safeguarding the archives of the decorated veterans, preserving the bas-relief of the palace of the Légion d’honneur and modernising the auditorium of the Saint-Denis education pavilion.
Practical information
The museum address is 2 rue de la Légion d’honneur, and you will find it inside the Hôtel de Salm. It is open Wednesday to Sunday, from 1 p.m. to 5.30 p.m. You can book a guided tour via the website or through the network of highly sought-after Paris tour guides, who cut through the crowds and get you VIP access.
If you want to hire the facility privately for a high society, business or artistic event, you can have exclusive use of the palace lounges, the museum and its education pavilion buildings, imbued with an atmosphere that takes you back to the late eighteenth to early nineteenth century.
The Musée d’Orsay
The incredible thing is that this museum is one of the 10 most visited museums in the world, yet is packed with paintings by Old Masters who in fact were all reviled in their day. Take Van Gogh. If it had not been for his sister-in-law’s lifelong public relations push to place his works (a great many of which she owned), he would be a nobody today.
And he’s not the only one. Courbet, Manet, Renoir… All these painters might never have become what they are today.
Hire the Musée d’Orsay privately for your visit to enjoy the most wonderful Impressionist paintings to the fullest. And make no mistake! While the museum is indeed housed in the old Orsay railway station, there is still a station of that name, but it’s 30 km away from Paris. So you don’t need to leave the 7 th arrondissement, or Paris, to explore this place steeped in history.
To get around Paris, take a look at our guide to luxury transportation.
A little anecdote
It’s about the female nude. The female body in the gaze of the Grand Masters. It takes place from 4 May to 29 June 2023. While the museum does run several 90-minute guided tours to explore it, you can arrange an exclusive visit to the Musée d’Orsay with your own personal tour guide.
Exhibition highlights
The museum survives on donations, loans and patronage. Some private collections are sometimes made public, giving you a rare glimpse of works by Manet, Degas, Victor Albert Prout and more. You have until summer 2023 to take the opportunity.
Patronage
The Musée d’Orsay and the Musée de l’Orangerie have joined forces on their patronage policy. Their common objective is to bring together a community of companies, private individuals and friends who all want to contribute towards the various undertakings of the two museums. To this end, the AFMO lays on top-drawer events for VIP donors.
Practical information
The Musée d’Orsay is on Esplanade Valéry Giscard d’Estaing. It is open every day except Mondays. A number of audio guides are available on site, as well as various workshops and tours that can be booked online.
Other major museums in the 7 th arrondissement of Paris
What with temporary exhibitions, exclusive visits, private-hire evening visits and evening events devoted to major patronage undertakings, these Parisian museums have plenty of subtly emotional experiences in store for you.
Le Musée Rodin
Located between the dome of the Invalides and the Eiffel Tower, whether for just the two of you or for 1500 guests, pull up a chair and take a seat … Opposite the legendary Thinker.
The Musée de l’Armée in the Invalides
True enough, the 7 th arrondissement is kind of the military headquarters of Paris. And a must for Napoleon afficionados. Come and pay your respects at his tomb, and visit the best military museum in the world, the “Pantheon of the armed forces”.
The Musée Maillol
A whole museum in honour of the painter and sculptor. The woman behind the museum, Dina Vierny, was also his collaborator and muse. She posed for other great names such as Matisse.
The Musée du quai Branly – Jacques Chirac
Kerchache meets Chirac. Kerchache campaigned to get non-Western art, in all its forms, into Parisian museums. This kind of campaigning was nothing new, since Picasso, himself inspired by the primitive arts, had long fought for them to be brought in. But it was under Chirac that this groundbreaking museum came into being.
Establishments that are more low-key
If you want to get off the beaten track (which is beaten for good reason), check out Fluctuart, an urban art pavilion at 2 port du Gros Caillou, overlooking the Seine. This floating gallery offers several exhibitions, eateries and spaces that can be hired privately for that special event.
For fans of French music, there is the Maison Gainsbourg, rue de Verneuil. The museum part is easy to get around, but the house part much harder to negotiate.
Set your personal concierge the challenge of finding slots for you.
