Baroque Splendors: From El Greco to Velázquez
- Musée Jacquemart-André, Paris
26 Mar - 2 Aug 2026
From€19.00
Dramatic spirituality and theatrical splendor from the masters of the Spanish Golden Age.
Exhibition at Musée Jacquemart-André
Discover the current major exhibition showing at Musée Jacquemart-André in 2026.
The Musée Jacquemart-André, located on the prestigious Boulevard Haussmann in the 8th arrondissement, is one of Paris’s most exquisite "hidden gems," offering an intimate glimpse into the height of Second Empire opulence. Originally the private residence of Édouard André, the heir to a vast banking fortune, and his wife Nélie Jacquemart, a celebrated society portraitist, this 19th-century hôtel particulier was designed by architect Henri Parent. The couple spent their lives traveling across Europe and the East, amassing what is widely considered the finest private art collection in Paris. Upon her death in 1912, Nélie bequeathed the mansion and its treasures to the Institut de France, stipulating that it be preserved exactly as it was to share their passion with the public.
The museum’s architectural and artistic features are nothing short of theatrical. The State Apartments were designed for grand entertaining, featuring a revolutionary hydraulic system that could retract the walls of the Picture Gallery, Grand Salon, and Music Room to create a single ballroom capable of hosting a thousand guests. Visitors are often most captivated by the Winter Garden, an architectural masterpiece defined by its light-filled glass roof, marble floors, and a magnificent double helix staircase. This area serves as a lush transition to the Italian Museum, which houses a world-class collection of Italian Renaissance masterpieces by legends such as Botticelli, Mantegna, and Donatello, many of which were acquired during the couple’s annual trips to Italy.
Beyond the formal galleries, the Private Apartments offer a rare, humanizing look at the daily lives of the Parisian elite. Decorated in the Louis XV style, these rooms—including the couple’s individual bedrooms and antechamber—remain furnished with original personal items and family portraits, maintaining a warm, lived-in atmosphere that contrasts with the sterile environment of larger institutions. The sensory experience is further enriched by the Dining Room, now home to Le Nélie, one of the city's most beautiful tea rooms. Here, under a monumental ceiling fresco by Giambattista Tiepolo, guests can enjoy refined pastries, truly embodying the art de vivre that the Andrés cherished.
Stepping into the Musée Jacquemart-André is like being invited to an elite 19th-century soirée. The atmosphere is defined by a sense of "eclecticism," where antique furniture, 18th-century French canvases by Fragonard and Boucher, and rare Flemish works by Rembrandt coexist in perfect harmony. Because it remains a home first and a museum second, the experience is profoundly personal; it allows for a quiet, contemplative journey through history without the overwhelming crowds of the Louvre. It stands as a timeless monument to a unique love story—one united by a shared devotion to beauty and the preservation of global cultural heritage.
Highlights
- The Winter Garden features a stunning exotic plant collection housed under a glass roof and an iconic double helix staircase.
- The Italian Museum displays a world-class collection of Renaissance masterpieces including works by Botticelli and Donatello.
- The Grand Salon showcases the couple's taste for 18th-century style with its unique semi-circular design and marble busts.
- The Private Apartments offer a rare glimpse into the lavish personal lives and bedrooms of Edouard André and Nélie Jacquemart.
- The Picture Gallery contains an impressive array of 18th-century French paintings and serves as a magnificent lead-in to the state rooms.
- The Music Room highlights the mansion's grandeur with its opulent decor and ability to transform into a massive ballroom.
Must-Dos
- Savor a pastry or a light lunch in the elegant Café Jacquemart-André, located in the mansion's former dining room adorned with 18th-century tapestries.
- Look up to admire the monumental Tiepolo fresco on the ceiling of the staircase, which originally decorated a villa in the Veneto region.
- Walk through the Library to see a more intimate side of the collection, featuring smaller Dutch and Flemish masterpieces by artists like Rembrandt.
- Take a moment to examine the intricate wood carvings and gilded moldings that reflect the peak of 19th-century Haussmannian interior craftsmanship.
- Step out into the exterior courtyard to appreciate the harmonious symmetry of the stone facade and its grand entrance gates on Boulevard Haussmann.
- Use the audio guide to hear the fascinating stories behind the couple’s strategic art acquisitions during their travels across Europe.
Guidelines
- Visitors must present a valid proof of entitlement dated within the last six months to benefit from reduced or free admission rates.
- The use of strollers and pushchairs is strictly forbidden inside the museum for security reasons, though they may be left in the cloakroom.
- Suitcases and large bags are not permitted inside the museum, and the venue does not provide storage for these items.
- Personal belongings up to 45 x 28 x 28 cm can be stored in the provided lockers with a code system in the cloakroom.
- Only handheld cameras and cellular devices without flash are allowed for private, non-commercial photography.
- The use of flash, selfie sticks, tripods, and monopods is prohibited inside all museum spaces and galleries.
- Animals are not allowed to enter the museum, with the sole exception of guide dogs for the blind.
Tips
- Arrive at 158 Boulevard Haussmann right when the museum opens at 10:00 AM to enjoy the opulent rooms before the afternoon crowds arrive.
- Visit on weekday mornings to experience a much quieter and more contemplative atmosphere than the busy weekends.
- Be sure to stop by the Winter Garden, which is often less crowded and offers a stunning exotic plant collection under a magnificent glass roof.
- Consider booking your tickets online in advance to reduce your wait time at the main entrance during peak tourist seasons.
- Plan your visit for Monday evenings when the museum occasionally offers late-night openings for a unique and sophisticated nighttime experience.
- Take advantage of the location in the 8th arrondissement to pair your museum visit with a walk down the nearby Champs-Élysées.
Why Visit
For the discerning traveler seeking the soul of Paris away from the thundering crowds of the Louvre, the Musée Jacquemart-André is an absolute essential. This is not merely a museum; it is a masterclass in 19th-century "art de vivre" where the boundaries between a private home and a world-class gallery vanish. You aren't just observing history; you are a treasured guest in a lavish Haussmann-era mansion, surrounded by the staggering fruits of a lifetime of travel. From the unparalleled Italian Renaissance collection on the first floor to the intimate Private Apartments that feel as though the owners have just stepped out for a stroll, the experience offers a level of personal connection and refined elegance that larger institutions simply cannot replicate.
The true magic of the estate lies in its theatrical atmosphere, where every room is a sensory revelation. Imagine standing in the Winter Garden, where the soft light filtering through the glass roof illuminates the lush exotic greenery and the graceful curves of the magnificent double helix staircase. Your journey reaches its peak in the former dining room, now the Café Jacquemart-André, where you can savor delicate pastries beneath a monumental Tiepolo fresco. The air is heavy with the scent of history and the visual rhythm of Fragonard’s canvases and Rembrandt’s masterpieces, creating a profound emotional resonance that reminds you why Paris remains the world's undisputed capital of beauty.The Musée Jacquemart-André transcends the traditional museum experience, offering an immersive and intimate portal into a world where profound love and an obsessive devotion to beauty created Paris's most sumptuous private sanctuary.
When to Visit
Morning Solitude in the Grand Salons
Entering the museum immediately at 10:00 AM on weekdays, especially Tuesday through Thursday, provides the most tranquil atmosphere for navigating the narrow corridors and opulent state rooms. Large tour groups often arrive later in the morning, so prioritizing the Italian Museum on the first floor during this initial hour ensures a personal encounter with the masterpieces before the rooms reach capacity.
Luminous Afternoons in the Winter Garden
Natural light is at its most dramatic between 1:00 PM and 3:00 PM, when the sun positions itself perfectly to illuminate the exotic plants and marble statues within the glass-roofed Winter Garden. Planning a late-lunch visit to the café during this window allows you to witness the play of light across the staircase and greenery without the heavy shadows of early morning or the dimming light of late evening.
Extended Monday Night Illumination
Taking advantage of the special late-night openings until 8:30 PM every Monday offers a rare opportunity to see the 19th-century interiors under artificial gallery lighting. Arriving after 6:30 PM typically yields the lowest foot traffic of the week, as most daytime visitors have departed, creating an intimate environment where the gilded boiseries and mirrors reflect the evening glow with exceptional clarity.
How to Visit
To make the most of your visit to the Musée Jacquemart-André, you should budget approximately two hours. This allows enough time to admire the permanent collection, the rotating exhibitions, and to linger over a coffee in the famous tea room. The museum is located at 158 Boulevard Haussmann, and you’ll enter through the grand carriage gate which leads into the main courtyard.
Navigating the Gilded Salons
The flow of the museum is quite intuitive, but following a specific order helps you appreciate the transition from public reception areas to private life.
- Begin on the ground floor in the State Apartments, including the Picture Gallery and the Grand Salon, where the couple entertained the Parisian elite.
- Transition into the Winter Garden, which serves as the architectural heart of the mansion with its incredible marble staircase.
- Head upstairs to the first floor to explore the Italian Museum, a series of rooms dedicated to the couple’s extensive collection of Renaissance sculpture and painting.
- End your journey in the Private Apartments on the ground floor for a more intimate look at the daily lives of Nélie and Édouard.
A Note on Access and Breaks
The Café Jacquemart-André is widely considered one of the most beautiful dining rooms in Paris. Because it is highly popular with locals as well as museum visitors, I recommend heading there slightly before or after the standard lunch hour to secure a table. For the museum itself, keep in mind that the Winter Garden and staircase area are the most photogenic spots, so you may want to loop back there once you've finished the upstairs galleries to capture the light from a different angle.
Schedules
Opening Hours
- The Musée Jacquemart-André is open daily from 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM with extended hours until 7:00 PM on Saturdays and Sundays.
- During temporary exhibitions, the museum remains open until 10:00 PM on Fridays.
- The last admission to the museum is allowed until 30 minutes before the scheduled closing time.
Special Days
The museum remains open every day of the year, including Christmas Day, New Year's Day, and public holidays.
Free entry is granted to children under 7 and disabled cardholders with their companions upon presentation of valid proof.
A special early closure occurs at 18:00 on Sunday, May 10.
How to get there
Located in the heart of the 8th arrondissement near the prestigious Champs-Élysées, the Musée Jacquemart-André is easily accessible from all corners of the city. This opulent mansion sits on Boulevard Haussmann, offering a refined escape within walking distance of major landmarks and high-end shopping districts.
- Metro: Lines 9 and 13 to Miromesnil, or line 9 to Saint-Philippe-du-Roule and Saint-Augustin
- RER: Line A to Charles de Gaulle-Étoile or Auber
- Bus: Lines 22, 28, 43, 52, 54, 80, 83, 84, and 93 stop at Saint-Philippe-du-Roule, Miromesnil, or Haussmann-Courcelles
Directions
Contact
Telephone
+33 1 45 62 11 59Frequently Asked Questions about Musée Jacquemart-André
The museum provides a free cloakroom for coats and small bags; however, large suitcases and bulky items are not permitted for security reasons and cannot be stored on-site. Visitors are advised to use nearby luggage storage lockers in the 8th arrondissement before arriving at the mansion.
While strollers are allowed in the courtyard, they are not permitted inside the galleries of the historic Haussmann mansion to protect the delicate parquet floors and tight spaces. A dedicated area is available to park your pushchair, so bringing a baby carrier is recommended for your indoor tour.
The most iconic photography locations include the Winter Garden with its magnificent double helix staircase and glass roof, and the Dining Room under the Tiepolo fresco. Personal photography without flash is encouraged, though tripods and selfie sticks are strictly prohibited to preserve the 'Second Empire' atmosphere.
Standard admission typically includes access to both the permanent private collection and the current temporary exhibition. Because this museum is a popular 'hidden gem', it is highly recommended to book a timed-entry ticket online in advance to guarantee your visit and skip the lines on Boulevard Haussmann.
The Musée Jacquemart-André is equipped with an elevator and ramps to ensure access to the State Apartments and the Italian Museum for visitors in wheelchairs. However, due to the historic nature of the 19th-century 'hôtel particulier', certain smaller rooms in the Private Apartments may have limited accessibility.
Access to the elegant Café Jacquemart-André, located in the former dining room, is independent of the museum tour. You can enjoy a pastry or light lunch under the historic frescoes without purchasing an exhibition ticket, making it a perfect spot for an authentic French 'art de vivre' experience.
To fully appreciate the diverse collection of Italian Renaissance masterpieces and 18th-century French art, you should allocate approximately 1.5 to 2 hours. If you plan to visit the temporary exhibition and enjoy tea in the Dining Room, a 3-hour visit is recommended.
Yes, free audio guides are available in English and several other languages to provide historical context on the lives of Édouard André and Nélie Jacquemart. These guides offer fascinating insights into the revolutionary hydraulic walls of the State Apartments and the provenance of rare Flemish paintings.
The museum is conveniently located within walking distance of the Miromesnil (Lines 9 and 13) and Saint-Philippe-du-Roule (Line 9) stations. Several bus lines also stop directly on Boulevard Haussmann, making it an easy addition to a day trip near the Champs-Élysées.
Other Exhibitions in Paris
Complete your cultural itinerary with the 54 other top-rated exhibitions in Paris in 2026.
Other Venues in Paris
Explore the 33 other top-rated cultural attractions to visit in Paris in 2026.
