Musée Cernuschi

Overview

Nestled near the elegant Parc Monceau, the Musée Cernuschi is the city of Paris's official museum of Asian art. Housed in a spectacular, purpose-built 19th-century private mansion, it offers a deeply peaceful, focused exploration of ancient Chinese, Japanese, and Korean art.

Highlights

• The Great Buddha of Meguro: A breathtaking, monumental Japanese bronze Buddha from the 18th century that dominates the museum's soaring, light-filled central hall.
• Ancient Chinese Bronzes: An incredibly rare, world-class collection of delicate bronze ritual vessels dating back to the Shang and Zhou dynasties.
• The Architecture: The mansion itself is a stunning example of Neoclassical design, built specifically by the founder to display his massive Asian art collection.

History

Italian-French financier Henri Cernuschi survived the Paris Commune of 1871 and embarked on an epic, 18-month journey across Asia. He returned with over 5,000 breathtaking works of art, building this spectacular mansion to house them. Upon his death in 1896, he bequeathed the entire estate and collection to the city.

Visitor Tips

• Cost: Access to the permanent collection inside this beautiful mansion is completely free.
• Pacing: It is a relatively small, highly tranquil museum—the perfect antidote to the overwhelming crowds of the Louvre.
• Duration: 45–60 minutes.