Musée Nissim de Camondo
Nissim de Camando Ticketing
TITRE: La Gloire de France.
COST: Free-7 Euros
HOURS: 10am-17:30, last ticket 17:00. Closed Mondays.
LOCATION: North central. Metro: Morceau or Villiers
ENGLISH: Yes, audio guide (normally we don’t recommend audioguides, but this one is good
VALOR: 10/10
WORTH GOING: Yes
REVIEW:
This masterpiece was the life’s work of Moise de Comondo and has been executed with a profound command of good taste. The mélange of material was so seamlessly united and adapted for this architectural marvel that it took great effort to find any fault. Its location, bordering the Parc Monceau, is ideal and makes it a perfect alternative to the overbearing and distant Versailles (see Paris Itineraries and Alternatives).
We cannot recommend this museum enough.
CHALLENGE:
Be sure to find the smallest rose velvet chair.
Note the ingenious method of function on the rotisserie oven.
Note the series of shepherd and shepherdess paintings depicting an amorous union.
QUOTES:
“The great diversity of objects (pointing at Chinese and French sculptures) could have been so bad, but it’s somehow fluid. A proper marriage.” – Gus
“Holy cow. Now this is a top-drawer joint. <Whistles>.” – Grandpa Bates
“I usually get so tired in places were you’re demanded to take in that much detail, but that was the perfect size. Just as I was getting tired it was over. Let’s go get a café.” – Dr. Mom
“There is something sad about this place. The father poured his grief into it. But, oh, what I could do with that kitchen.” – Grandma Flo.
ALTERNATIVES:
Musée Jacquemart-André – Another excellent house/museum located a short distance to the south.
Parc Monceau – Just around the corner, this park for the rich makes for an excellent promenade.
MORE:
The museum and family history will inspire you. The contributions of the de Comondo family to French culture are overwhelming. Their personal collection populates museums such as the Louvre and Musée d’Orsay.
The museum is named after Moise de Comondo’s son who was killed in an aerial battle in WWI. After his son’s death, Moise withdrew from society and business and dedicated himself to the beautification of his home. In this way, the museum can be seen as a memorial from a bereaved father to his heroic son.
The end of the family line is tragic, honorable and thus intriguing. However, the injustices suffered by the family during the two world wars are not the family’s legacy and their unfortunate demise in battle and the holocaust is dealt with in the most respectable manner.
Flowers must be thrown to the curators who respected the decorative decisions of the patriarch.
This museum is a satellite museum of the Musée des Arts Decoratifs; however, we will not recommend your patronage to the other satellites.
WEBSITES:
RUBRIQUE:
LOCATION- -8/10
COLLECTION- -9/10
CURATION- -10/10
AUTHENTICITY- -10/10
EXPERIENCE- -9/10
CROWD- -Mostly older.
Le Michaux 