Musée de la Chasse et de la Nature, Paris

The museum in two beautiful 18th-century townhouses,  explains the history of hunting in France, relying on exceptional art collections: ancient, modern and contemporary.

The Museum of Hunting and Nature was founded in 1964 by French industrialist and rugmaker François Sommer. In fact, it was Sommer and his wife Jacqueline who personally gathered the majority of the museum’s collection. The private museum engulfs two entire 18th-century hôtels particuliers (private residences) in the third arrondissement of Paris, commonly known as “Le Marais”. 

The museum has the most exquisite interior and furnishings, especially in their panelled wood and decorated bronze rooms. Le Salon de Compagnie and Le Salon Bleu are amongst the grandest rooms in the museum, with deep red and blue wallpaper as a backdrop to paintings from prominent artists such as Jean-Baptiste-Siméon Chardin and Jean-Baptiste Oudry.

The museum dedicates some of the rooms to different hunted animals. For example, there is the Salle du Sanglier (The Wild Boar Room) and Salon des Chiens (The Dog Room). Other than filling the room with paintings, tapestries and sculptures associated with each animal, don’t miss the quirky “bits” such as the dog basket tucked away in the Salon des Chiens.

The permanent collection in the museum includes paintings, drawings, sculptures, carpets, tapestries, silverware, ceramics, weapons, trophies, armour, furniture, works of art, installations, photographs and videos. The museum combines these works of art with stuffed animals, so you get a clear idea of what the animal is like in the wild.

Apart from the permanent collection in this exquisite building, in Paris’ most attractive quartier (area), the museum also puts on three or four temporary exhibitions each year focusing on the subject of hunting. Parisians and tourists do not know the museum well and rarely find their way here.

La Musée de la Chasse et de la Nature, All year : Paris
La Musée de la Chasse et de la Nature, All year : Paris
La Musée de la Chasse et de la Nature, All year : Paris
La Musée de la Chasse et de la Nature, All year : Paris
La Musée de la Chasse et de la Nature, All year : Paris
La Musée de la Chasse et de la Nature, All year : Paris

Opening Hours

Monday:
Closed
Tuesday:
11:00 - 18:00
Wednesday:
11:00 - 18:00
Thursday:
11:00 - 18:00
Friday:
11:00 - 18:00
Saturday:
11:00 - 18:00
Sunday:
11:00 - 18:00
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