Portrait of Adolphe Philippe d'Ennery, 19th-century French playwright and novelist

Musée D'Ennery

Musée d’Ennery Visiting Hours, Tickets, and Paris Historical Sites Guide

Date: 04/07/2025

Introduction to Musée d’Ennery

Tucked away in Paris’s prestigious 16th arrondissement, the Musée d’Ennery offers a compelling window into 19th-century European fascination with East Asian art. The museum’s origins trace back to Clémence d’Ennery, a visionary collector who, from the 1850s onward, amassed an extraordinary private trove of more than 7,000 Asian art objects—ranging from Japanese netsuke and lacquerware to Chinese bronzes and Korean ceramics. Housed within the architecturally significant Hôtel d’Ennery, a Belle Époque mansion purpose-built to showcase these treasures, the museum maintains its period charm with original display cases and handwritten catalogs.

Due to the building’s historical status and ongoing conservation efforts, visits are only possible by advance reservation and guided tours. This detailed guide covers everything you need to know: visiting hours, ticketing, accessibility, collection highlights, and the context of the Hôtel d’Ennery itself. Whether you are an art connoisseur or a traveler seeking Paris’s hidden gems, the Musée d’Ennery promises a unique and enriching experience. For the latest updates, consult the official Musée Guimet website and Wikipedia.

About the Musée d’Ennery: History and Significance
Visitor Information
Collection Highlights
Visitor Tips
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
The Hôtel d’Ennery: Architecture and Social History
Visiting: Hours, Tickets, and Preservation
Visual Resources
Summary and Key Points
References

About the Musée d’Ennery: History and Significance

Clémence d’Ennery (1823–1898) began gathering East Asian art in the mid-19th century, focusing on Japanese netsuke, lacquerware, porcelains, bronzes, and masks. Her carefully curated collection quickly gained recognition among European collectors. In 1875, she commissioned architect Pierre-Joseph Olive to design a residence—Villa Desgranges, later Hôtel d’Ennery—on avenue Foch, tailored for both domestic life and public display.

Though Clémence married playwright Adolphe d’Ennery in 1881, the collection remained her personal achievement. After her death, the property and collection entered state ownership, and by 1908, the Musée d’Ennery opened as an annex of the Musée Guimet. Today, with over 7,000 artifacts and period-authentic displays, the museum offers an immersive look at 19th-century collecting and exhibition practices.

Visitor Information

Visiting Hours

Open by reservation only, to protect the fragile interiors.
Friday: Tours at 14:00 and 16:30
Saturday: Tours at 10:00, 11:30, 14:30, and 16:00
Closed: Sunday–Thursday, public holidays, and during special maintenance periods.
Check the official website for current schedules.

Ticketing

Admission: Free, as per Clémence d’Ennery’s legacy.
Advance reservation required via the Musée Guimet ticketing platform.
Guided tours only (groups capped at ~20 for preservation).

Accessibility

Historic architecture: Stairs and narrow passages limit full accessibility; no modern lifts.
Assistance: Contact the museum in advance for accommodations.

Location and Transportation

Address: 59 avenue Foch, 75016 Paris, France.
Metro: Line 2 (Victor Hugo or Porte Dauphine), Line 1 (Argentine).
RER: Line C (Avenue Foch station).
Bus: Multiple routes; see RATP.
Nearby: Bois de Boulogne, Palais de Tokyo, and Arc de Triomphe.

Nearby Attractions

Musée Guimet: Main Asian art museum, accessible by metro.
Hôtel d’Heidelbach: Another branch of the Musée Guimet.
Bois de Boulogne: Historic park for walks and picnics.

Collection Highlights

Netsuke: Over 2,500 miniature Japanese carved toggles, many signed by master artists, displayed in custom cases by Gabriel Viardot.
Lacquerware and Porcelains: Exquisite Japanese, Chinese, and Korean pieces showcasing technical mastery and cross-cultural motifs.
Bronzes, Ivories, and Scholar’s Items: Buddhist statuary, scholar’s desk objects, and rare jades.
Nō Masks and Sculptures: Highlights include Japanese theater masks and spiritual figurines.
Original Display Cases and Catalogs: The museum preserves Clémence’s handwritten inventories and 19th-century exhibition furniture, creating a living “cabinet of curiosities.”

Visitor Tips

Reserve early: Limited spots and high demand after recent reopening.
Language: Tours are in French; consider a translation app if needed.
Dress comfortably: Expect stairs and warm rooms in summer.
Photography: Allowed without flash; tripods and large bags are not permitted.
Combine visits: Explore the Musée Guimet or Hôtel d’Heidelbach while in the area.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: What are the Musée d’Ennery’s visiting hours?
A: Guided tours on Fridays (14:00, 16:30) and Saturdays (10:00, 11:30, 14:30, 16:00) by reservation only.

Q: How much does admission cost?
A: Free, but advance reservation is required.

Q: How do I book a visit?
A: Use the official ticketing platform.

Q: Is the museum wheelchair accessible?
A: Accessibility is limited; contact the museum ahead for assistance.

Q: Can I take photographs?
A: Non-flash photography is permitted; tripods and large bags are not.

Evolution and Features

Built in 1875 by architect Olive, the Hôtel d’Ennery features neo-classical and baroque elements, ornate Belle Époque interiors, and custom-built vitrines by Gabriel Viardot (POP Culture Gouv). Later expansions by architect Lemaire added galleries and a grand baroque hall to accommodate Clémence’s growing collection.

Located on avenue Foch, the mansion stood among Paris’s elite residences. The d’Ennerys hosted salons frequented by luminaries like the Goncourt brothers and Georges Clemenceau, while the collection exemplified the Japonisme movement that swept France in the late 19th century (paris-tourism.com; parisdiarybylaure.com).

Preservation and Ownership

Bequeathed to the French state after the d’Ennerys’ deaths, the mansion and collection are now protected monuments and part of the Musée Guimet network, maintained by the Ministry of Culture (guimet.fr; POP Culture Gouv).

Visiting: Hours, Tickets, and Preservation

Guided Tours and Reservation

Tours are strictly by reservation to minimize impact on the fragile interiors.
Small groups (≤20) ensure an intimate experience and preservation of the site.

Preservation Challenges

Maintaining the integrity of both the collection and the building involves:

Climate control: Modern systems are not installed to protect historic interiors, creating challenges for temperature and humidity regulation.
Lighting: Careful management to protect sensitive materials.
Pest and environmental management: Non-intrusive methods safeguard organic artifacts.
Structural upkeep: Essential repairs are made without altering the original architecture.
Funding: Restoration relies on state and private sponsorship (guimet.fr).

Visual Resources

Official virtual tours and images: Musée Guimet website
Images for SEO: Alt text includes keywords like “Musée d’Ennery visiting hours” and “Paris historical sites.”

Summary and Key Points

Collection: ~8,000 Asian art objects, with over 2,500 netsuke.
Location: 59 avenue Foch, 75016 Paris; access via metro, RER, or bus.
Admission: Free; advance reservation required for guided tours.
Accessibility: Limited due to historic architecture.
Preservation: Original displays and mansion largely unchanged since the late 19th century; ongoing restoration efforts.
Nearby: Musée Guimet, Hôtel d’Heidelbach, Bois de Boulogne, Palais de Tokyo.

Careful planning and early booking are essential for visiting this unique museum, which offers an unparalleled glimpse into both Asian art and Parisian history. For the latest information, always refer to the Musée Guimet official website.