Near Parc Monceau in Paris’s 8th arrondissement, Musée Cernuschi presents Asian art in the former home of collector Henri Cernuschi. Its collection spans Chinese, Japanese, Korean and Vietnamese works, from ancient bronzes and ceramics to Buddhist sculptures and contemporary pieces. The central hall is dominated by a monumental bronze Buddha from Japan’s Meguro region. The museum is small and calm, with displays arranged to make it easy to explore at your own pace. Admission to the permanent collection is free.
A collector’s home beside Parc Monceau
Musée Cernuschi is at 7 Avenue Vélasquez, beside Parc Monceau in Paris’s 8th arrondissement. The museum opened in 1898 and is housed in the former mansion of Henri Cernuschi, an Italian-French banker and collector. He left his collection and home to the city of Paris.
Cernuschi gathered much of his Asian art during travels in Japan and China. His collection forms the foundation of a museum that now includes works from China, Japan, Korea and Vietnam. The displays span ancient and contemporary art, with objects ranging from bronzes and ceramics to Buddhist sculpture.
The Buddha of Meguro
The central hall is arranged around a monumental bronze Buddha from Japan’s Meguro region. The sculpture fills the high-ceilinged space and gives the permanent collection a clear focal point. It is one of the museum’s defining works and a natural place to pause before exploring the other rooms.
The collection also includes ancient Chinese bronzes, ceramics and calligraphy, along with Buddhist objects and sculpture. Among the works are pieces associated with the Han, Northern Wei, Sui and Tang periods, including ceramics and funerary figures. Korean and Vietnamese objects sit alongside the Chinese and Japanese collections, giving the displays a wider East Asian scope.
Following the collections
The museum’s displays are arranged in chronological order, with historical information to help place the objects in context. The route is compact compared with larger Paris museums, so you can take your time with individual works without needing to cover a sprawling building.
Alongside its ancient holdings, Musée Cernuschi presents contemporary works, including ceramics. Temporary exhibitions add another reason to check the museum’s programme before visiting. The permanent collection is free to enter; current exhibition details are available on the museum website.
Häufige Fragen
Is Musée Cernuschi free?
Admission to the permanent collection is free. Check the museum website for information about temporary exhibitions.
What can you see at Musée Cernuschi?
The museum presents Asian art from China, Japan, Korea and Vietnam, including bronzes, ceramics, calligraphy and Buddhist sculpture. Its central hall contains a monumental bronze Buddha from Japan’s Meguro region.
Where is Musée Cernuschi?
It is at 7 Avenue Vélasquez in Paris’s 8th arrondissement, beside Parc Monceau.
Is the collection arranged chronologically?
Yes. The displays follow a chronological route and include historical information about the works.
