Musée des Arts Forains

The Musée des Arts Forains is a private museum of funfair and fairground objects located within the Pavillons de Bercy in the 12th arrondissement of Paris at 53, avenue des Terroirs de France, Paris, France. It is open to the public by prior reservation.

WWW pavillons-de-bercy.com

History

The museum occupies a structure that was once part of the wine warehouses of Bercy, a commercial district that was once the largest wine market in the world. The museum was created by Jean Paul Favand, an actor and antiques dealer, from his private collection. It opened to the public in 1996, and now contains a variety of objects dating between 1850 and 1950 including 14 amusement rides, 16 fair stalls and restored attractions, 18 sets of historical works, and 1522 independent works. The collections include merry-go-rounds and carousels, German swings, hundred-year-old bicycles, Japanese billiards, a Parisian Waiter Race and a Hooghuys Organ, and the grand vizier Ali Pasha.
In 2009, the Musée des arts forains was listed as a Living Heritage Company.

Permanent collection

The museum is a place of 11,400 m2. The permant collection is composed of three thematic rooms : "The Venetian Lounges", "The Theatre of Marvels" and "The Fairground Art Museum". Mainly used for corporate events, the museum is also open to individual visitors.The Theatre of Marvels: A glimpse into the biggest world fairs of the beginning of the 20th century. An automatic orchestra audiovisual displays form a part of the attractions – thanks to 12 projectors, the walls metamorphose into Captain Nemo's Nautilus submarine, or a coral reef.The Venetian Lounges: Visitors can watch an Italian opera-based show, performed by automata in a typical Venetian setting, or go for a ride on a gondola merry-go-round.The Fairground Art Museum: A special tribute to the 19th-century funfair – ride a bicycle merry-go-round or play at a Parisian Waiters' Race stand.