Go through the Musée Nissim de Camondo kitchen space, which is a representative of French kitchen architecture from the late 19th century. It is located in the basement of the house and was used by the family's cooks and servants. Admire the walls of the Kitchen, covered in white tiles and the large fireplace at one end of the room. The floor is made of blue laid in a herringbone pattern which is equally splendid.
Stroll through the Scullery, a small room off the kitchen where the staff would have washed dishes and prepared food. It includes a twofold copper sink for washing skillet, utensils and kitchenware. Soda crystals made the cleaning up water corrosive; it had to be extremely hot to clean the container which was passed on to the drench, as scouring would have harmed their tin covering.
There is a swing door between the Kitchen and the Chef’s Office. It also includes a dumbwaiter who took dishes up to the Storage room on the floor above. There is a coated board between the workplace and the help entrance, with an opening window for managing the delivery of food requested by the cook.
One of the main things you see when you enter the Hall is a level mahogany work area stamped by Jean-Henri Riesener and a mahogany and overlaid bronze longcase clock. Behind the flight of stairs is a "rouge regal" marble shell-moulded fountain, crowned by a plated lead dolphin. The walls are hung with tapestries from the Gobelins Manufactory, which date from the 18th century.
Admire the prestigious Gallery, with its parquet floor in a herringbone pattern and its walls hung with toile de Jouy. The setting is enhanced by a magnificent fireplace surmounted by a marble mantelpiece decorated with gilt bronze mounts and 2 tapestries on the wall, The Chinese Dance and The Chinese Garden.
The great drawing room is the first room you will encounter upon exploring the upper ground floor of the musée nissim de camondo billets. It is a large, rectangular room with high ceilings, ornate mouldings, and a marble fireplace. The walls are covered in cream-colored wallpaper with gold accents, and the floors are inlaid with hardwood parquet. The room is furnished with several antique chairs, a sofa, and a coffee table.
The dining room is the only room on the upper ground floor that has retained its original functions. The walls are hung with Gobelins tapestries, and there are several paintings. Go through the Porcelain room, which was originally the billiard room, but was converted into a porcelain gallery in the early 20th century.
The garden was created by French landscape architect Achille Duchêne. The garden is laid out in the formal French style with lawns, flower beds, hedges, and trees. There are two basins connected by a waterfall, and a café located in a glass pavilion at the south end of the garden.
Stroll through the Blue Drawing room which was one of four reception rooms on the first floor of the Museum Camondo. It was designed to host events such as balls, so mirror panels were placed around the room in order to create a sense of space and light.
Go through the Library, located on the first floor of the musée nissim de camondo billets, which is a beautiful room with an impressive collection of books. Admire the place which is decorated with a fireplace, a chandelier, and several pieces of furniture. The library is open to the public during regular museum hours.
The two bathrooms on the first floor are quite different from one another in both style and decoration. The first bathroom is a more traditional space with hand-painted wallpaper, a marble sink, and a small chandelier. The second bathroom is a more modern space with white walls and chrome fixtures.
The overall effect of Nissim de Camondo’s apartments is one of grandeur and luxury, with high ceilings, large windows and sumptuous furnishings. Visitors can explore the different rooms and learn about the family's lifestyle through information panels and audio guides (available in English, French, German, Spanish and Japanese).
10 am to 5:30 pm (Wednesday-Sunday)
63 Rue de Monceau, 75008 Paris, France
The best time to visit the Musée Nissim de Camondo is from April to October. The weather is mild and the days are long, so you'll have plenty of time to explore the museum and its gardens. However, if you're planning a trip during the high season (July and August), be sure to book your tickets in advance.