Quai Branly Museum: reviews, price and practical tips

+38
recs
4.3/5 6 reviews
37 quai Branly, 75007 Paris, France
37 quai Branly, 75007 Paris, France
Tickets from $16*
Booking recommended
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Musée du quai Branly

Visiting the Quai Branly Museum

In Paris, right along the Seine, sits the Quai Branly Museum. Formerly known as the museum of non-European civilizations, it was renamed in 2016 after the former president who initiated the project, Jacques Chirac.

History

Back in 1852, this site was occupied by the Garde meuble national, and later served as the trades center during the 1937 World's Fair.

This location was slated for the major public works program launched by François Mitterrand, originally intended to house a massive international convention center. But local residents and even city hall mounted fierce opposition to the plan. Ultimately, in 1994, the Balladur government dropped the project.

At the urging of Jacques Kerchache, an authority on indigenous art who made the case to a president already sympathetic to the subject, the Louvre Museum opened an indigenous art department. Four years later, in 1999, an architectural design competition was launched to build a dedicated facility. The contest was won by Jean Nouvel, who chose to expand the green spaces to 17 500 m².

The museum opened its doors to the public on June 23, 2006.

The Quai Branly Museum - Jacques Chirac

Annual attendance ranges between 1 million and 1.5 million visitors, making it one of the most visited indigenous art museums in the world.

The auxiliary buildings house a bookstore, a media library, and a theater that converts into a concert hall or cinema.

Designed by Gilles Clément, the massive garden features over 70 000 ferns, trees, and shrubs, along with landscaped terraces and reflecting pools.

The museum's massive collections contain over 1.3 million pieces. The media library offers more than 300 000 documents on open access.

It is a truly one-of-a-kind destination for anyone passionate about indigenous arts or eager to explore them.

Tickets from $16*Booking recommended
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Opening hours

Monday Closed
Tuesday 10:30-19:00
Wednesday 10:30-19:00
Thursday 10:30-22:00
Friday 10:30-19:00
Saturday 10:30-19:00
Sunday 10:30-19:00

Hours data: © OpenStreetMap contributors

Hours are indicative and subject to change

*Information subject to change

Reviews of the Quai Branly Museum

Summary of 6 reviews
4.3/5
Average rating
+38 recs +38 -0 Score weighted by contributor expertise level: a recommendation from a level 3 member counts as 3.
Total recommendations

Ratings by visit type

With family
4.2
As a couple
4.3
With friends
4.3

Avygeo ranking

#25
in the world
#25
in Europe
#16
in France
#10
in Paris

Awesome museum

Even though this museum is less well known than some of the big Parisian museums, it is really very interesting. The collections are rich and varied and spread across different levels. The collections are organized by country and really make you feel like you are traveling. There are often permanent exhibits that change, which is top notch.

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Traveling while staying in Paris

The Quai Branly Museum is such a change of scenery, because the exhibits and permanent collections allow us to travel across several continents without even leaving the capital. I particularly love the African masks. Overall, I think the items are displayed really well, thanks to the lighting and the layout of the rooms.

13
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A refreshing visit

It is pretty rare to be able to see a museum that focuses on the cultures of Africa, Asia, and Oceania (in Marseille we have a few collections at the Vieille Charité). I can say that I really appreciated being able to travel and broaden my horizons.

The place is also very pleasant with its green facade. Everything is well thought out, and the presentation is immersive. In short, do not miss it if you are interested!

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Rooftop cafe

I headed to the Musée du Quai Branly, the baby of President Jacques Chirac, mainly for its very pleasant rooftop café. You cannot miss it with its vertical garden, which was very innovative at its inauguration in 2006. Inside, you discover art from different countries, classified by continent. It is a bit too long and a bit too niche for me. You really have to be a fan of this style of museum to appreciate it, even if you do see some very beautiful pieces.

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Discovering world cultures

I really love this huge museum that opens the door to civilizations from all over the world. While discovering the infinite richness of the collections, I always see the Quai Branly as a true invitation to travel. The section dedicated to Australia and Indonesia remains the most impressive to me, because I have never seen anything comparable anywhere else.

The temporary exhibits are always magnificent. The last one, "Au fil de l’or," introduced me to Guo Pei, a Chinese designer whose golden creations still amaze me. Less well known, the museum also schedules beautiful performances linked to the exhibits, like the recent fabulous Royal Ballet of Cambodia.

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Unique setting and interesting exhibits

From the outside, this Parisian museum stands out from the others with its lovely garden. I want to say it is Japanese inspired, but I actually have no idea.
I did not have the chance to visit the permanent exhibitions. I went there to attend a concert of traditional Mexican musicians: violinists, guitarists... (do not go reducing these musicians to mariachis!). Really good show.

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