PARIS, FRANCE - SEPTEMBER 16, 2013: Detail from the Arts et Metiers metro station in Paris at September 15 2013.Station was redesigned in 1994 in a reminiscent of science fiction works of Jules Verne.; Shutterstock ID 407355013; Your name (First / Last): Lauren Gillmore; GL account no.: 56530; Netsuite department name: Online-Design; Full Product or Project name including edition: 65050/ Online Design /LaurenGillmore/POI

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Musée des Arts et Métiers

Le Marais, Ménilmontant & Belleville


The Arts and Crafts Museum, dating to 1794 and Europe's oldest science and technology museum, is a must for families – or anyone with an interest in how things tick or work. Housed inside the sublime 18th-century priory of St-Martin des Champs, some 2400 instruments, machines and working models from the 18th to 20th centuries are displayed across three floors. In the priory's attached church is Foucault’s original pendulum, introduced to the world at the Universal Exhibition in Paris in 1855.

Louis Blériot’s monoplane from 1909 is also here. Guided tours are in French only but the excellent English audioguides (€5) – one for adults and another aimed at children aged seven to 12 years – more than compensates.

Transportation

  • metro: Arts et Métiers

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