At 107 Rue de Rivoli, in the Louvre’s western wing, the Musée des Arts Décoratifs traces design and decorative arts from the Middle Ages to the present. Its collections range from furniture, textiles and jewelry to fashion, ceramics and toys. Recreated period rooms show how interiors changed over the centuries, while temporary exhibitions bring a closer look at particular designers, subjects or collections. Allow time to explore: the museum is large, with displays across multiple floors. If you are interested in fashion or interiors, the historic clothing, jewelry and room displays are especially good places to start.
A collection spanning centuries
The Musée des Arts Décoratifs opened in 1905 in the western wing of the Louvre Palace. Its collection covers decorative arts and design from the Middle Ages to the present, with furniture, textiles, ceramics, jewelry, fashion, toys and graphic arts among its subjects.
Displays follow different periods, including the Renaissance, the 17th and 18th centuries, the 19th century, Art Nouveau and Art Deco. The range makes it possible to compare how materials, decoration and everyday objects changed over time. The collection is extensive, but the period rooms provide a clear way into it: reconstructed interiors show furnishings and decoration together, rather than as isolated objects.
Rooms, jewelry and fashion
The period rooms are a strong choice if you want to see how interiors looked across different eras. Elsewhere, jewelry displays bring together pieces from different periods, while the fashion and textile galleries include historic and modern clothing. Temporary exhibitions can focus on an individual designer, a collection or a particular subject, so the experience depends in part on what is showing during your visit.
The museum’s scope also reaches beyond interiors and clothing. Its decorative arts include objects such as tapestries, ceramics, lamps, mirrors and tableware. Look for displays organized around a particular type of object as well as those arranged by period.
Plan a route through the building
The museum occupies a large, multi-floor space, and its galleries can be easy to miss if you wander without a plan. Check the current exhibition information before you go, then decide which collections matter most to you. Visitors particularly seek out the jewelry and textile galleries, which may require finding the right elevator from the second floor.
Advance booking is recommended. If you have a museum pass, check reservation requirements before arriving, since a pass may not replace a time-slot reservation. Guided tours are another option for adding context to the design displays. The museum has a shop, and a restaurant is also on site.
FAQ
How long should I spend at the Musée des Arts Décoratifs?
Allow around 3 to 4 hours if you want to explore several collections and exhibitions. The museum is large and spread across multiple floors.
Do I need to book tickets in advance?
Advance booking is recommended. Check whether you need a reservation even if you have a museum pass.
What can I see at the museum?
Collections include period rooms, furniture, textiles, jewelry, ceramics, fashion, toys and graphic arts, spanning the Middle Ages to the present. Temporary exhibitions change over time.
Where is the entrance?
The museum is at 107 Rue de Rivoli. The Rue de Rivoli entrance is on the street side, rather than the park side.
