Step into a Parisian mansion where mounted beasts meet modern art, and hunting heritage transforms into philosophical inquiry about our place in the natural world.

Tucked into the elegant Marais district, the Musée de la Chasse et de la Nature offers one of Paris's most unusual museum experiences. This isn't your typical natural history collection. Instead, imagine a cabinet of curiosities reimagined for the 21st century, where taxidermied animals seem to prowl through rooms filled with Old Master paintings, contemporary art installations, and centuries-old hunting weapons.

The museum challenges visitors to think differently about humanity's ancient relationship with wildlife, presenting hunting not as a simple narrative but as a complex cultural tradition worthy of artistic and philosophical exploration.

A Collector's Vision

The museum opened its doors in 1967, born from the passion of François and Jacqueline Sommer. François, an industrialist and hunting enthusiast, envisioned a space that would elevate hunting beyond sport into the realm of art and culture. The couple chose two adjoining 17th and 18th-century hôtels particuliers in the Marais as their setting.

The Fondation de la Maison de la Chasse et de la Nature was established to house their remarkable collections. After major renovations completed in 2007, the museum expanded its scope, incorporating more contemporary artworks and creating an even more dreamlike atmosphere that blurs the boundaries between natural history museum, aristocratic home, and art gallery.

Collections

The museum's collections unfold across ornate period rooms where the unexpected becomes routine. Taxidermied wolves, boars, and bears share space with Flemish tapestries and Renaissance paintings depicting hunting scenes. Historic firearms and crossbows are displayed as both functional tools and works of craftsmanship.

Contemporary artists have contributed surreal interventions throughout. You might encounter a polar bear seemingly emerging from a wall, or discover drawers filled with curious objects. Paintings by artists like Desportes and Oudry hang alongside works by modern creators, while collections of ceramics, furniture, and hunting horns add layers of cultural context to the exploration of humanity's predatory past.

What Makes It Special

This museum defies categorization. Rather than presenting hunting as glorification or condemnation, it creates an atmospheric space for reflection. The integration of contemporary art into historic interiors produces an almost theatrical experience where visitors never quite know what's around the next corner.

The building itself becomes part of the exhibition, with each room designed as an immersive environment. A trophy room might lead to a library filled with rare books on natural history, which opens onto a space featuring video installations about animal behavior. This approach transforms a potentially controversial subject into a nuanced meditation on nature, culture, and the human impulse to both preserve and possess the wild.

Musée de la Chasse et de la Nature Highlights & Tips

• The Trophy Rooms Experience the museum's most striking spaces where taxidermied animals are displayed in period interiors, creating an uncanny dialogue between life, death, and preservation.
• Contemporary Art Installations Discover unexpected modern artworks integrated throughout, including pieces that challenge and complement the historical collections in surprising ways.
• Historic Weapons Collection View beautifully crafted hunting firearms, crossbows, and other instruments that showcase centuries of technological and artistic development.
• The Period Interiors Explore the 17th and 18th-century architectural details of these historic Marais mansions, which provide an aristocratic backdrop to the collections.
• Location in the Marais The museum is situated in the charming Marais district, perfect for combining your visit with exploring one of Paris's most historic and vibrant neighborhoods.
• Expect the Unexpected Come with an open mind. This museum's blend of natural history, fine art, and contemporary installations creates an experience unlike any traditional museum visit.
• Take Your Time The museum rewards slow exploration. Look closely at the details in each room, open drawers, and examine the relationships between objects and artworks.

The Musée de la Chasse et de la Nature occupies a unique space in Paris's museum landscape. It refuses easy answers about humanity's relationship with nature, instead offering a richly layered experience that provokes thought and wonder in equal measure.

Whether you're drawn by curiosity about hunting traditions, love of decorative arts, or simply want to experience one of Paris's most atmospheric and unconventional museums, this hidden gem in the Marais promises an unforgettable journey. It's a place where beauty and unease coexist, inviting you to reconsider what museums can be.