Among the world's oldest institutions
Founded in the ninth century and still doing its original job.
PHGCOM — CC BY-SA 3.0 · Monnaie de Paris, graveur en médailles - Médailleur — CC0 · Monnaie de Paris, graveur en médailles - Médailleur — CC0 · Monnaie de Paris, graveur en médailles - Médailleur — CC0
Parts of it, depending on the day and hour. The workshops are real working spaces rather than scheduled demonstrations, so you may find them busy or quiet. The museum route explains the process regardless, but if that is your main aim, ask when buying the ticket.
A Left Bank walk: the Institut de France is immediately beside it, the Pont des Arts crosses from here to the Louvre, and Saint-Germain lies behind. This is one of the finest stretches of the river in Paris and takes an hour to walk.
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The French mint, on the bank of the Seine opposite the Louvre, and among the oldest continuously operating institutions in the world: founded in the ninth century and still working in this same building since the eighteenth. That is what makes it different from an ordinary museum. The building is an actual factory rather than a display: the workshops striking medals and commemorative pieces still operate with craftsmen working by hand, and parts of the process can be seen. The museum route explains the history and technique of coinage, from hand striking to machinery. The building itself is among the important works of neoclassical architecture in Paris, with a long river frontage, an inner courtyard and a ceremonial staircase. It was refurbished some years ago and now also hosts major contemporary art exhibitions. Practical points: the ticket covers the permanent route, and temporary exhibitions may need an extra one. The courtyard, shop and café can be entered without a ticket. The location is very central on the Left Bank facing the Louvre — you pass it walking between Saint-Germain and the island.
Founded in the ninth century and still doing its original job.
Medals struck by hand — a process you can partly watch.
The building hosts major contemporary shows alongside its permanent route.
Quai de Conti, 6th arrondissement, on the Seine
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