The Japanese bronze Buddha
A monumental figure brought back in the 1870s and never moved.
Thomon — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Vlaemynck Célia — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Jean-Pierre Dalbéra from Paris, France — CC BY 2.0 · Chatsam — CC BY-SA 3.0
A museum of Asian art beside Parc Monceau, holding the second most important collection of Chinese art in France after the Guimet, in a private house built by the banker Henri Cernuschi in the nineteenth century. The collection is strong in ancient Chinese bronzes, ceramics and funerary figures, and also covers Japan, Korea and Vietnam. Its best-known piece is a monumental bronze Buddha from Japan, brought back on Cernuschi's journey around Asia in the 1870s and kept in place ever since. The museum's own story is worth knowing: Cernuschi assembled the pieces on a long journey and then left the house and its contents to the city. That pattern is common among Paris's municipal museums — collectors' houses turned into public institutions. An important practical point: the permanent collections of the City of Paris museums are free to enter, with temporary exhibitions ticketed. That makes this among the best free visits in the city. Parc Monceau next door is one of the loveliest gardens in Paris.
A monumental figure brought back in the 1870s and never moved.
The collection's strongest section, among the most important in Europe.
A Paris pattern: collectors' houses left to the city and opened to the public.
Beside Parc Monceau, 8th arrondissement, Paris
Musée Jacquemart-AndréA love-and-collecting story turned museum: banking heir Édouard André and portra6 minutes walk4.4
Arc de TriompheAt the centre of Europe's most formidable traffic circle, the Arc de Triomphe ha18 minutes walk4.6
Grand PalaisThe Grand Palais was built for the 1900 World's Fair "to the glory of French art19 minutes walk4.6
Moulin RougeThe red windmill on the Boulevard de Clichy at the foot of Montmartre, and the m19 minutes walk4.3
Petit PalaisThe best cultural bargain in all Paris stands opposite the Grand Palais, and mos20 minutes walk4.6Looking for halal food near Musée Cernuschi? There are several options nearby, from Moroccan and Indian kitchens to quick casual spots and places with a view. Confirm the halal status and opening hours before you go — these can change.
NouraHalalNoura is not a discovery; it is the institution every Arab visitor to Paris has 18 minutes walk · $$$4.5
Le TimgadHalalLe Timgad has been the grand address for Maghrebi cooking in Paris since the 19721 minutes walk · $$$$4.4Al AjamiHalalAl Ajami is a name that goes back to Beirut in 1920, and the Paris branch is an 17 minutes walk · $$$3.8
Paris Marriott Champs-ÉlyséesThe Paris Marriott Champs-Élysées is one of a very small number of hotels with a14 minutes walk · $$$4.4
Hôtel du CollectionneurL'Hôtel du Collectionneur is a large five-star on Rue de Courcelles near Parc Mo7 minutes walk · $$$4.1
Four Seasons George VThe George V is the benchmark the rest of luxury Paris is measured against. It o19 minutes walk · $$$$4.9
Prince de GallesThe Prince de Galles is a direct neighbour of the George V on the same avenue, b19 minutes walk · $$$$4.4The permanent collection is, as at the City of Paris museums such as the Carnavalet and the Musée d'Art Moderne. Only temporary exhibitions are ticketed. This group of museums is the best of Paris on a limited budget.
The Guimet is far larger, covers all of Asia in depth, is the primary French collection and charges admission. Cernuschi is smaller, concentrated on China, free, and can be seen in ninety minutes. With limited time and budget, start with Cernuschi.