Musee Cognacq-Jay

About

The Musée Cognacq‑Jay is nestled in the historic Hôtel Donon, a 16th‑century mansion in Paris’s Marais district that once housed a fashionable salon. Founded in 1929 to house the private art collection of Ernest Cognacq and his wife Marie‑Louise Jay, the museum showcases an intimate selection of 18th‑century French decorative arts—including paintings by Boucher, Fragonard, and Tiepolo, exquisite porcelain, and finely carved furniture. Its 1200‑piece assemblage also features notable 17th‑century works, captured in the museum’s four paneled rooms that reflect the opulence of Louis XIV and Louis XV. Visitors can expect a quiet, scholarly experience that celebrates the elegance of the French Enlightenment, making it a must‑visit attraction for art lovers and history enthusiasts alike.

At a glance

• Typical visit: about 1 hour 30 minutes