Musée Cernuschi

Musée Cernuschi

Hidden in Paris’s 8th arrondissement, the Musée Cernuschi houses an impressive collection of Asian art. Opened in 1898, it is France’s second-largest museum of Asian art after the Musée Guimet. Located near the charming Parc Monceau, the museum is named after its founder — banker, journalist, and collector Henri Cernuschi. Between 1871 and 1873, Cernuschi traveled around the world, making stops in China and Japan, where he developed a deep interest in Asian art and acquired nearly 5,000 artworks.

Following renovations from 2001 to 2005, the Musée Cernuschi today boasts a collection of over 12,500 precious artifacts from China, Korea, and Japan, with more than 900 on permanent display. It ranks as France’s second-largest and Europe’s fifth-largest museum of Asian art. The collection is dominated by ancient Chinese relics: Buddha statues, paintings, vessels, sculptures, ceramics, metalwork, and more. Although its collection is not as extensive as that of the Musée Guimet, every piece in the Musée Cernuschi is of exceptional quality.

The Musée Cernuschi continues to acquire new pieces and receive donations, constantly enriching its holdings. Today, it has become one of Europe’s premier museums for Chinese art and welcomes at least 60,000 visitors annually. The museum maintains close ties with scholars and frequently organizes lectures and research projects, often generating significant interest with its temporary exhibitions.

Musée Cernuschi

Must-visit reason: One of France’s largest museums of Asian art

Continent: Europe【Europe】

Country/Region: France[France]

Province/State: Île-de-France Region [Ile-de-France Region]

City: Paris [Paris]