Musee des Arts et Metiers (Arts and Crafts Museum), Paris

Musee des Arts et Metiers (Arts and Crafts Museum), Paris

The Musée des Arts et Métiers (MAM), located in the historic Marais district of Paris, is dedicated to the history and evolution of technology and industry. Founded in 1794, it is one of the oldest museums in Europe, and its collection of over 80,000 objects is a testament to the significant scientific and technological contributions of France.

The museum's galleries are divided into seven categories, including scientific instruments, transportation, energy, communication, construction, mechanics, and materials. Visitors can explore the extensive collection of technological artifacts, including a vast array of scientific instruments, from microscopes and telescopes to clocks and astronomical devices.

The transportation collection spans centuries, from the earliest horse-drawn carriages to the sleek, modern vehicles of today. The energy gallery showcases the evolution of energy production, including wind, water, steam, and electricity. Visitors can explore the evolution of communication, from the printing press to telegraphs, telephones, and computers. The construction and mechanics galleries exhibit a range of tools and machines used in manufacturing, as well as models and examples of bridges and other structures.

One of the museum's most famous exhibits is the Foucault pendulum, which demonstrates the rotation of the earth, while other notable items include the original model of the Statue of Liberty, developed by French sculptor Auguste Bartholdi, and the original Blériot XI, the plane flown by French aviator Louis Blériot when he made the first airplane flight across the English Channel.

The MAM also offers educational workshops and lectures for visitors of all ages, making it an ideal destination for those interested in science, technology, and the history of industry. Its library contains over 100,000 volumes on science, technology, and industry, making it a valuable resource for researchers and scholars.

Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in Paris. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "GPSmyCity: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from Apple App Store or Google Play Store. The app turns your mobile device to a personal tour guide and it works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.

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Musee des Arts et Metiers (Arts and Crafts Museum) on Map

Sight Name: Musee des Arts et Metiers (Arts and Crafts Museum)
Sight Location: Paris, France (See walking tours in Paris)
Sight Type: Museum/Gallery

Walking Tours in Paris, France

Create Your Own Walk in Paris

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Creating your own self-guided walk in Paris is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.
Paris Introduction Walking Tour II

Paris Introduction Walking Tour II

From the Louvre to the Notre-Dame Cathedral to Place de la Bastille, the evolution of Paris and its history is literally visible on the banks of the river Seine, the linking thread winding its way through the city, as if keeping a watchful eye on its architectural marvels.

This walk is centered around Île de la Cité and Le Marais, which together form the historical core of power in Paris....  view more

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Eiffel Tower Walking Tour

Eiffel Tower Walking Tour

The 7th arrondissement of Paris is the most affluent and prestigious residential area in France, home to world-famous Eiffel Tower and the French upper class alongside a number of French national institutions, government offices and diplomatic missions. This historical neighborhood boasts typically Parisian architecture complete with vibrant cafés, restaurants and gourmet shops which draw foodies...  view more

Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 4.6 Km or 2.9 Miles
Souvenirs Shopping Walk

Souvenirs Shopping Walk

Being one of the world's premier shopping destinations, the French capital attracts thousands of shopaholics every year. Even those who hate shopping, enjoy doing it here. Renowned for its luxury and sophistication, Paris is a great place for finding unique and elegant souvenirs to cherish. Here are some must-visit places for souvenir shopping in the City of Light.

Lafayette Galleries...  view more

Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 5.0 Km or 3.1 Miles
Le Marais Walking Tour

Le Marais Walking Tour

The district known to locals as "Le Marais" used to be a bourgeois area in the past and a major center of the Paris Jewish community that still exists today. Here, you will find different bookshops specializing in Jewish books, restaurants with traditional Jewish food and a synagogue. As one of the hippest neighborhoods in the city, it also has no shortage of narrow medieval streets,...  view more

Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.4 Km or 1.5 Miles
The French Revolution Landmarks Walking Tour

The French Revolution Landmarks Walking Tour

The French Revolution had a huge impact on France's history as it gave rise to a radical democratic republic and resulted in quite a bit of violence during the infamous "Reign of Terror". Even though many of Paris’ buildings were damaged in the course of the bloody conflicts, the sites they occupied – which you can find on this self-guided tour – are of a great historical...  view more

Tour Duration: 3 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 7.3 Km or 4.5 Miles
Paris Introduction Walking Tour I

Paris Introduction Walking Tour I

The capital of France takes its name from the Celtic tribe of Parisii who, back in the Iron Age, around the 3rd century BC, settled near the river Seine. The Romans conquered the Parisii and established on their land a garrison town which, towards the end of the 5th century AD, fell to the Franks and flourished under their rule. Despite wars, revolutions and numerous social cataclysms, Paris had...  view more

Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 5.1 Km or 3.2 Miles

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