Musée des Arts Forains – Paris, France

Musée des Arts Forains – Museum of Fairground Arts – is a colourful and lively museum committed to preserving the history of carnivals and fairgrounds from around the world.

Located in charming Bercy, a 19th-century town on the outskirts of Paris, the Museum showcases the private collection of Jean Paul Favand. Favand opened the Museum in its current location in 1996 as a way to preserve carnival history and share his love of the performing arts with the public. The Museum offers many exhibits and an incredible collection of costumes, props, games, rides, and other carnival “objets d’art.” The centerpiece of the collection is a working carousel from 1896. A variety of interactive elements keep guests of all ages engaged, as performers located around the Museum grounds entertain visitors with songs and dance from days gone by.

A visit to the Museum requires a bit of planning, as they only accept pre-visit reservations. Small group tours are led by multilingual guides with a deep appreciation for Favand’s mission.

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