Musée de la Chasse et de la Nature: Paris's Strangest Museum
The Musée de la Chasse et de la Nature is an eccentric, beautifully staged museum of hunting and nature set in two historic mansions in the Marais, mixing taxidermy, fine art and cabinets of curiosities. It is one of the most original museums in Paris, and it is rarely crowded.
L-BBE · CC BY 3.0In Hidden Gems in Paris · Le Marais · Last updated 2 June 2026
- A private museum of hunting and nature in two restored Marais hôtels particuliers
- Taxidermy, paintings, weapons and contemporary art woven together room by room
- Theatrical cabinets of curiosities, including a famous owl-themed room
- A quiet, surprising alternative to the big Paris museums
What is the Musée de la Chasse et de la Nature
The Musée de la Chasse et de la Nature is a private museum in the 3rd arrondissement, in the heart of the Marais. It occupies the Hôtel de Guénégaud and the neighbouring Hôtel de Mongelas, two elegant mansions that have been carefully restored to hold the collection.
Its subject is the long relationship between people and the natural world, told through hunting. That sounds narrow, but the displays range across centuries of painting, sculpture, arms, furniture and taxidermy, arranged less like a textbook and more like the private cabinet of an obsessive and very stylish collector.
What to see inside
Each room has a theme and a mood, from a study lined with trophies to delicate cabinets devoted to a single animal. The museum is known for mixing old and new, slipping contemporary artworks among the historic pieces so that a modern installation might share a room with a 17th-century painting.
Highlights include the rooms given over to specific creatures, such as the celebrated owl cabinet, and the grand staircases and panelled salons of the mansions themselves. It rewards slow, curious looking.
Why visit
While crowds queue for the Louvre, this museum stays calm, so you can wander its rooms almost alone. It is a perfect Marais pairing with a walk around the Place des Vosges and the area's galleries and cafes.
Allow about ninety minutes. The museum is ticketed and open Tuesday to Sunday, and it is served by the Rambuteau métro station.
Know before you go
- Buy tickets online or at the door, queues are short.
- Look for the contemporary artworks hidden among the historic rooms.
- Combine it with the Place des Vosges and the rest of the Marais.
Where Musée de la Chasse et de la Nature is
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Musée de la Chasse et de la Nature: frequently asked questions
What is the Musée de la Chasse et de la Nature?
It is a private museum of hunting and nature in the Marais, set in two historic mansions. It mixes taxidermy, fine art, weapons and cabinets of curiosities, and is one of the most original museums in Paris.
Where is the Musée de la Chasse et de la Nature?
It is in the 3rd arrondissement, on Rue des Archives in the Marais. The nearest métro station is Rambuteau, with Hôtel de Ville also close by.
How much are tickets?
The museum charges a standard entry fee. You can buy tickets at the door or online, and queues are usually short.
What are the opening hours?
It generally opens Tuesday to Sunday during standard museum hours and closes on Mondays. Times can change for holidays, so confirm before your visit.
Is the Musée de la Chasse et de la Nature worth visiting?
Yes, especially if you like unusual museums. Its theatrical mix of art, taxidermy and contemporary pieces, in beautiful Marais mansions, makes it a memorable and uncrowded stop.
More hidden gems in Paris
Sources and further reading: Wikipedia: Musée de la Chasse et de la Nature.