Believe or not there are still some museums and tourist sites I have not been to in Paris. In the last year I’ve made a list of them and have been ticking off the boxes, one by one when I have a few hours free to visit them.
Musée Nissim de Camondo has always been high on the list and last month I took the opportunity to visit. Located behind the Parc Monceau, Musée Nissim de Camondo was originally a private mansion owned by Moise de Camondo, a Parisian banker of Sephardic Jewish heritage, born in Istanbul. Camondo was a serious collector of 18th century French furniture and objets of the finest quality. In 1911 he commissioned architect Rene Sargent to design a home to house his collection and family. The design was based on the Petit Trianon at Versailles but also extended to provide modern day features such as offices, kitchens, bathrooms with indoor plumbing, and electricity.
Ambling through the stunning rooms, I marveled at the antique woodwork by master cabinetmakers and woodworkers of Le Garde Meuble Royal (Royal Furniture Repository), such as Oeben, Riesener and Jacob, the Orloff silver collection commissioned by Queen Catherine II of Russia from silversmith Roettiers in 1770, and porcelain made by Sevres. Paintings include portraits by Vigee LeBrun, landscapes by Guardi, and hunting scenes by Oudry.
Behind the sumptuous furniture and priceless antiques lies a tragic family story.
Moise de Camondo was heir to a Jewish family that owned one of the largest banks in Turkey during the Ottoman Empire. He bequeathed his mansion and collection to his son Nissim but Nissim was killed in an air battle in 1917 during WWI. After his loss, Moise left his mansion to the Arts Decoratifs institution, which runs the Musée Decoratifs. In WWII Moise also lost his daughter Béatrice, his son-of-law Léon Reinach and their children, Fanny and Bertrand in Nazi concentration camps. There are no surviving family members and the Camondo name has ceased to continue its lineage.
Coming soon, a visit to Chantilly.
63 rue de Monceau, 75008
Metro: Monceau
Open Tuesday to Sunday 11AM-6PM
http://www.lesartsdecoratifs.fr/en/museums/musee-nissim-de-camondo/
Eye Prefer Paris Postcards
I am thrilled to announce the launch of Eye Prefer Paris Postcards, a 6 or 12-month subscription service where the subscriber receives three physical postcards of my iconic Paris photos every month. Each month will have a specific theme, from architectural street scenes to romantic outdoor cafes to beautiful gardens to unique shots of iconic monuments. Each mailing will include two postcards in color and one in black & white or sepia, beautifully packaged in a special French Blue postcard holder with a custom designed seal.
Each 6” X 4.25” traditional size postcard is printed on thick matte coated card stock, similar to traditional vintage postcard stock that enhances the vibrancy of every image.
Only $60 for a 6 month subscription (plus shipping)or
$110 for a 12-month subscription (plus shipping)
My offer of a 12-month subscription with an extra month free is good until October 31, so remember to order now before the offer ends.
Click here to order a 12-month subscription from my Etsy store
Click here to order a 6-month subscription from my Etsy store
Come experience Eye Prefer Paris live with Eye Prefer Paris Tours, which are 3-hour walking tours I personally lead. Eye Prefer Paris Tours include many of the places I have written about such as small museums & galleries, restaurants, cafes, food markets, secret addresses, fashion & home boutiques, parks and gardens and much more. In addition to my specialty Marais Tour, I also lead tours of Montmartre, St. Germain, Latin Quarter, in addition to Shopping Tours, Gay Tours, Girlfriend Tours, Food Tours, Flea Market Tours, Paris Highlights Tours, and Chocolate & Pastry tours.
Tours start at 225 euros for up to 3 people, and 75 euros for each additional person. I look forward to meeting you on my tours and it will be my pleasure and delight to show you my insiders Paris.
Check it out at www.eyepreferparistours.com
Click here to watch a video of our famous Marais tour
New! Eye Prefer Paris Cooking Classes
I am happy to announce the launch of Eye Prefer Paris Cooking Classes. Come take an ethnic culinary journey with me and chef and caterer Charlotte Puckette, co-author of the bestseller The Ethnic Paris Cookbook (with Olivia Kiang-Snaije). First we will shop at a Paris green-market for the freshest ingredients and then return to Charlotte's professional kitchen near the Eiffel Tower to cook a three-course lunch. After, we will indulge in the delicious feast we prepared along with hand-selected wines.
Cost: 195 euros per person (about $210)
Time: 9:30AM- 2PM (approximately 4 1/2 hours)
Location: We will meet by a metro station close to the market
Class days: Tuesday,Wednesday, Thursday,Friday, Saturday, and Sunday
Minimum of 2 students, maximum 6 students.
Click here to sign up for the next class or for more info.
aaah, THAT's what it is.... I always wondered when I happened to walk past it and NOW I KNOW, THANKS to you, Richard. Merci beaucoup. So interesting - peu à peu I learn (nearly) everything about the 'unknown' Paris!
Did I wish you a HAPPY NEW YEAR???? If not, have one...
Kiki
Posted by: Kiki | January 12, 2016 at 02:31 PM
This is by far my favorite Paris museum. It is beauty and tragedy all in one. Your photos are wonderful. I wanted to point out in your first photo of the salon, the aqua damask chairs and settee come apart with little metal wingnut things that allow the chairs to be recovered in a few minutes so you can change the fabric on a whim for a special dinner, season or event very quickly. I have forgotten the maker of the chairs [not where I can look it up now] but they are my favorite French chairs of all. I wish the books in the on-site gift shop sold books in English.
Posted by: Colleen Martin | January 12, 2016 at 05:49 PM
I have visited this museum on several occasions. It is a delight to be reminded of those visits via your post. I look forward to your upcoming post on Chantilly.
Posted by: Harriet | January 12, 2016 at 08:47 PM