We went there a couple of years ago because we’d read a very similar review to the one you did. I’m afraid I was not overwhelmed by its wonderfulness. To me it was rather fusty musty dusty stuff. I came away with no very strong impression of anything except that I wandered aimlessly around a lot. It’s a shame Madame de Sevigné isn’t featured more. I’d put Musée Jacquemart-André, the Cluny and the Petit Palace on my list of ‘secondary’ museums above Carnavalet (but what do I know — I’ve never been to the Orsay…)
Place des Vosges I love though.
Rosemary Kneipp
May 2nd, 2013 at 11:19 am
Oh really? I loved all the detail. But you really must go to the Orsay sometime. You can even buy tickets on-line now, which helps. The queues are always so long. I have to confess I haven’t been back since the renovations so we’ll no doubt go there in May or early June.
Lyn
May 2nd, 2013 at 10:47 am
That sounds so fantastic, I’m already thinking about my next visit to Paris, my list of must sees is going to be so long. Thank you. Lyn
Rosemary Kneipp
May 2nd, 2013 at 11:19 am
You’ll need to come for a month!
Pamela
May 3rd, 2013 at 3:52 am
Dear Rosemary
Beautiful pictures. When we were at the Carnavalet (which we loved) last June many of the rooms were closed because of refurbishment. Looks as though they’ve now re-opened quite a lot more. Would love to see Proust’s room.
We’ve always really liked the Places des Vosges and Carette is our favourite tearoom in that area, their pastries are delish. Last year on the opening day of les soldes we somehow finished up at Carette, collapsing over our late afternoon tea. A youngish woman and her small child were going through her bags and bags of shopping, mostly gorgeous little girl outfits. Suddenly the little girl had to go to the toilet and the woman asked the waiter to watch her things as she rushed her down to the basement. The waiter stayed on guard near her handbag and all the precious designer bags. When called away he was immediately replaced by a young waitress who guarded the things till they returned. It was very impressive how much dedication and service they provided and how much trust the customer had in the staff. We wondered at the time how many customers received this level of attention. It wasn’t Carla Bruni, by the way. Better get back to the packing! Best wishes, Pamela
Rosemary Kneipp
May 3rd, 2013 at 9:40 am
I can just imagine the scene! We’re packing too today. Have a good flight and see you soon.
M Jocumsen
May 10th, 2013 at 4:33 am
Thank you Rosemary, for your description and photos of Musée Carnavalet and Carette’s. These two places will definately be on my ‘wish list’ when we visit Paris next month. I’ve been fortunate to visit Musée de Louvre a number of times in the past and Musée Dosay, so I’m keen to visit the Carnavelet too.
Cheers
Majella
Rosemary Kneipp
May 13th, 2013 at 9:16 am
You might like to go back to the Orsay Museum while you’re here because it’s been completely refurbished inside. I haven’t been yet.
[…] so wonderful to see her after six months, even though we often talk on Skype. I suggest we go to Carette’s on Place des Vosges for breakfast. We’re so busy talking that I don’t realise […]
We went there a couple of years ago because we’d read a very similar review to the one you did. I’m afraid I was not overwhelmed by its wonderfulness. To me it was rather fusty musty dusty stuff. I came away with no very strong impression of anything except that I wandered aimlessly around a lot. It’s a shame Madame de Sevigné isn’t featured more. I’d put Musée Jacquemart-André, the Cluny and the Petit Palace on my list of ‘secondary’ museums above Carnavalet (but what do I know — I’ve never been to the Orsay…)
Place des Vosges I love though.
Oh really? I loved all the detail. But you really must go to the Orsay sometime. You can even buy tickets on-line now, which helps. The queues are always so long. I have to confess I haven’t been back since the renovations so we’ll no doubt go there in May or early June.
That sounds so fantastic, I’m already thinking about my next visit to Paris, my list of must sees is going to be so long. Thank you. Lyn
You’ll need to come for a month!
Dear Rosemary
Beautiful pictures. When we were at the Carnavalet (which we loved) last June many of the rooms were closed because of refurbishment. Looks as though they’ve now re-opened quite a lot more. Would love to see Proust’s room.
We’ve always really liked the Places des Vosges and Carette is our favourite tearoom in that area, their pastries are delish. Last year on the opening day of les soldes we somehow finished up at Carette, collapsing over our late afternoon tea. A youngish woman and her small child were going through her bags and bags of shopping, mostly gorgeous little girl outfits. Suddenly the little girl had to go to the toilet and the woman asked the waiter to watch her things as she rushed her down to the basement. The waiter stayed on guard near her handbag and all the precious designer bags. When called away he was immediately replaced by a young waitress who guarded the things till they returned. It was very impressive how much dedication and service they provided and how much trust the customer had in the staff. We wondered at the time how many customers received this level of attention. It wasn’t Carla Bruni, by the way. Better get back to the packing! Best wishes, Pamela
I can just imagine the scene! We’re packing too today. Have a good flight and see you soon.
Thank you Rosemary, for your description and photos of Musée Carnavalet and Carette’s. These two places will definately be on my ‘wish list’ when we visit Paris next month. I’ve been fortunate to visit Musée de Louvre a number of times in the past and Musée Dosay, so I’m keen to visit the Carnavelet too.
Cheers
Majella
You might like to go back to the Orsay Museum while you’re here because it’s been completely refurbished inside. I haven’t been yet.
[…] we reach Place des Vosges, all the cafés are full so we walk along the arcade to Hôtel de Sully, enticed by the haunting […]
[…] so wonderful to see her after six months, even though we often talk on Skype. I suggest we go to Carette’s on Place des Vosges for breakfast. We’re so busy talking that I don’t realise […]