Stepping out of Bercy Village toward Cour Saint‑Émilion, you arrive at the charming Musée des Arts Forains housed in a former wine cellar, tucked among modern shopping streets. This private collection opened in 1996 by actor and antiques dealer Jean Paul Favand, who brought together hundreds of Belle Époque fairground artifacts – vintage carousels, merry‑go‑rounds, game stalls and rides—from around 1900.
With contributions from collectors, historians, and carnival enthusiasts, the museum evolved into a curated space with contextual information and interactive displays. As you enter, you don’t just visit a museum; you step into a living fairground: try the restored rides, play vintage games and win prizes yourself.
Located near Cour Saint‑Émilion or Bercy metro station (line 14) and served by bus lines 24, 64, 87, 109, 111 and 325, admission is €8 for children and €16 for adults, inclusive of attraction access. The Musée des Arts Forains therefore offers a playful, historically rich complement to Paris’s cultural scene.
Sources. Story: Source Story: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mus%C3%A9e_des_Arts_Forains https://www.urbansider.com/sightseeing/musee-des-arts-forains/ https://www.eutouring.com/musee_des_arts_forains_fairground_museum.html https://www.visitparisregion.com/en/musee-des-arts-forains Photos: Source Photo: Copyleft, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons
