At 221 Avenue Jean Jaurès in Paris’s 19th arrondissement, the Cité de la Musique brings a music museum together with concert halls. The museum’s collection ranges from harpsichords and Stradivari violins to instruments from around the world, including an Indonesian gamelan and a giant octobass. Free audio guides play recordings of the instruments as you explore, and interactive displays add another way to engage with the collection. Temporary exhibitions take on subjects such as music in video games, so check what is showing when you plan your visit.
A collection you can hear
The Musée de la Musique is part of the Cité de la Musique complex in Paris’s 19th arrondissement, alongside concert halls. Its collection includes restored instruments from the former Conservatoire, spanning classical and folk music. As you move through the galleries, the audio guide plays recordings of instruments on display, turning the visit into a listening experience as well as a visual one.
The collection ranges from precious string instruments and harpsichords to brass and woodwind. Among its unusual pieces are a giant octobass, a low-pitched string instrument, and a serpent, a winding military wind instrument. You can also encounter an Indonesian gamelan, whose sounds influenced the music of Debussy and Ravel. Interactive computers and scale models of opera houses and concert halls add context to the instruments.
Audio guides and changing exhibitions
Audio guides are available at no charge in several languages, including versions made for children. The children’s guide uses stories and recordings to introduce the instruments and their sounds. Take time with it if you are visiting with a young music lover.
Temporary exhibitions bring music into conversation with other subjects. Past examples include an exhibition about video games and music, as well as one focused on Kandinsky. The museum also connects paintings with the musicians depicted in them. Check the current programme before your visit, since exhibitions and events change.
FAQ
Are the audio guides free?
Yes. Audio guides are available free of charge, including versions designed for children.
How long should I plan for the museum?
Allow at least half a day to explore the collection and interactive displays.
Is the Cité de la Musique only a museum?
No. The complex also includes concert halls and hosts live performances.
What unusual instruments can I see?
The collection includes a giant octobass, a serpent and an Indonesian gamelan, as well as harpsichords and Stradivari violins.
