Musée Jacquemart-André: Tips and Highlights

The Musée Jacquemart-André is a hidden gem between Parc Monceau and the Champs-Élysées in the 8th arrondissement. It’s ideal if you’re after standout art and architecture but want a quieter experience than the big Paris museums can offer.

Because even though it’s right in the center of Paris, the museum is often overlooked and many have never even heard of it.

To be honest, I only knew it from a few photos of the winter garden—so I had no real idea what to expect inside. But the visit turned out to be unexpectedly rich, quite spectacular even.

You get a real feel for how the wealthy of the 2nd Empire once lived, collected, and entertained. And the best part? No crowds. Here’s my visitor’s guide.

Like this one? You might also enjoy:

• Musée Marmottan-Monet: Worth the Trip?
• Musée Carnavalet: The Best Museum in Paris for History Lovers
• Paris Liberation Museum: Your Complete Guide
• Le Petit Palais: A Journey Through the History of Art

Background: The Collectors and Their Mansion

Édouard André (1833–1894) came from a wealthy banking family. He was involved in politics, but his real passion was art. He became a serious collector and patron, investing most of his fortune in building a private collection.

To house it properly—and to host social events—he commissioned architect Henri Parent in 1869 to build a mansion on Boulevard Haussmann, not far from Parc Monceau. This story is not too different from Émile Guimet by the way, who founded the Guimet museum for similar reasons.

In 1881, he married Nélie Jacquemart, a successful painter in her own right and one of the first women accepted at the École des Beaux-Arts.

They shared the same obsession for art and spent years travelling through Italy and beyond, buying pieces for their growing collection.

After Édouard’s death in 1894, Nélie carried on alone. Eventually, she donated the house and everything in it to the Institut de France.

The museum opened in 1913—and it’s been open to the public ever since.

The Museum and its Collections

The museum houses the private collection of Édouard André and Nélie Jacquemart. If you’re into Italian Renaissance art, this is your place—it’s one of the largest collections outside Italy.

There are works by Botticelli, Uccello, Donatello, and more, but for me, the real highlight wasn’t the art—it was the house itself. It is a real hiddem gem in Paris.

The architecture is stunning. Every room is different, carefully staged, and beautifully preserved. And the audioguide makes a big difference.

Instead of a standard tour, it pulls you into the story—like you’re attending one of their evening salons, starting with your carriage arriving in the courtyard. You get small details about society, the building, and their world. It really brings the place to life.

The Winter Garden & the Spiral Staircases

The winter garden comes near the end of the ground floor tour—and it’s one of the most memorable spaces.

Tall mirrors, marble floors, and potted plants under a glass roof—it was meant as a retreat during social gatherings. A place where the ladies could step away from the salons and catch a bit of fresh air.

Even today, the light in that room feels different. The whole atmosphere is almost mesmerizing—quiet, bright, and slightly surreal.

The centerpiece of this little oasis is a double spiral staircase. It’s made of marble and bronze but looks surprisingly light.

It’s interesting to think that they placed it at the back of the house, not the centre—almost like a hidden finale.

The State Apartments

Part of the museum includes the private apartments of Édouard and Nélie Jacquemart-André.
You walk through rooms like the boudoir, the study, and even their bedroom—still furnished, still intact.

One detail that stood out to me: the tapestries. They’re massive, covering entire walls—and here’s a fun detail: Édouard owned them before he built the house. So when designing the mansion, he had the walls sized exactly to fit them.

A small thing, but it tells you how intentional everything was. Nothing in this house was left to chance, everything was designed with their collection in mind.

The Audioguide Experience

The museum offers a neat little audio guide you can download for free. They provide an QR code so you can install it easily.

It guides you through the rooms without overloading you—and the way it’s done is actually quite clever.

It starts as if you’ve just arrived by carriage, invited to one of their soirées.
You’re “greeted” in the petit salon and gently walked through the house from there.

It’s a smart way to get introduced—not just to the building, but to the way they lived in it.
I liked that a lot. It made the visit feel more personal, less like a formal tour.

Visitor Information

Address: 158 Boulevard Haussmann, 75008 Paris

Opening Hours:

• Monday to Thursday: 10:00 to 18:00
• Fridays: Late openings until 22:00
• Weekends: 10:00 to 19:00

Access:

• Metro: Lines 9 and 13 to Miromesnil
• Bus: Lines 22, 28, 32, 43, 52, 80, 83, 84, 93

Conclusion

The Musée Jacquemart-André offers a rare look into the world of 19th-century art collectors—up close, peaceful, and full of detail.

Its intimate setting, paired with a remarkable collection, makes it ideal if you’re after something less crowded to visit in Paris, but still full of substance. It’s one of the most interesting museums in Paris and definitely worth a visit.

And if you’re not in the mood for a full museum day, you can still stop by Nélie, the on-site restaurant and tearoom. You don’t need a ticket to enter—it’s open to all.

It’s not exactly budget, but it’s not over the top either. Prices fit the location and the feel of the 8th. A nice spot for a quiet coffee or lunch, with a lovely outdoor terrace.