Little Paris Museum (Muzeul Micul Paris)
About Little Paris Museum (Muzeul Micul Paris)
The Little Paris Museum occupies the upper floor of a 19th-century house with a shop at Strada Lipscani 41, a building on the list of historic monuments. The name refers to the nickname Bucharest had in the early 20th century, when the city's fashion, furniture and habits followed those of Paris.
The museum is a private initiative of the collector and photographer Eugen Ciocan, who started out with a retro photography studio on the same street and then gathered furniture, clothes and everyday objects from the life of the city. The collection has more than 1,000 pieces, from Bucharest around 1900 and from the interwar years. It is not an exhibition of display cases: the rooms are furnished like a lived-in home, with tea set out on the table and dresses on mannequins.
What you can see
The two main rooms are the French salon, with carved furniture, tall mirrors, folding screens and heavy drapes, and the Oriental salon, which shows how much the Bucharest home borrowed from Ottoman taste. Around them are smaller rooms, each with its own theme: ladies' fashion, with dresses, gloves, lace and hats, corners devoted to politicians or to women's fight for their rights, and market scenes where townspeople meet peasants.
Among the objects are Moorish-style and Louis XVI furniture sets, 19th-century Russian chairs, a hand-cranked gramophone, porcelain and silver tea services, fans, pocket watches and old photographs of the city.
Good to know
The exhibition is upstairs, reached by an indoor staircase. The museum occasionally hosts recitals and themed evenings.
- The French salon, with carved furniture, tall white-framed mirrors and tasselled drapes.
- The Oriental salon, which shows the Ottoman influence on Bucharest homes around 1900.
- The period dresses, lace, gloves and hats, arranged as in a wardrobe still in use.
- The hand-cranked gramophone and the old photographs of Bucharest.
Good to know before you go
- Getting there
By car: Strada Lipscani is pedestrianised, so the last stretch is on foot. The museum is in the Old Town, ~4 km (~10 minutes without traffic) from Gara de Nord and ~18 km (~25 minutes without heavy traffic) from Henri Coandă Airport (Otopeni).
Public transport: the nearest metro station is Universitate (M2), ~580 m (~8 minutes) on foot. From Piața Unirii station (M1, M2, M3) it is ~730 m (~10 minutes) on foot. The entrance is in the corner building at Strada Lipscani 41, with the museum's sign above it.
- Where to park
The museum has no car park of its own, and the Old Town is a paid parking zone with few spaces at street level. The nearest underground car park is Parcarea Piața Universității, ~500 m (~7 minutes) on foot; the multi-storey car park next to the Cocor department store is also ~500 m away.
- Rules
The exhibits are original and fragile, so they should not be touched. Photo shoots, group visits and private events are booked in advance. The exhibition is reached by a staircase, so it is not wheelchair accessible.
Frequently asked questions about Little Paris Museum (Muzeul Micul Paris)
What are the opening hours of Little Paris Museum (Muzeul Micul Paris)?
Opening hours at Little Paris Museum (Muzeul Micul Paris): Monday–Tuesday closed, Wednesday–Sunday 11:00 – 19:00. More under “Opening hours”
How long does a visit to Little Paris Museum (Muzeul Micul Paris) take?
A visit to Little Paris Museum (Muzeul Micul Paris) takes about 45 min (45–60 minutes).
Can you visit Little Paris Museum (Muzeul Micul Paris) with kids?
Yes, Little Paris Museum (Muzeul Micul Paris) is suitable for children (better suited to older children).
Where can I park at Little Paris Museum (Muzeul Micul Paris)?
There is paid parking at Little Paris Museum (Muzeul Micul Paris) (Piața Universității, ~500 m). More under “Where to park”
How do I get to Little Paris Museum (Muzeul Micul Paris)?
Little Paris Museum (Muzeul Micul Paris) is located at Strada Lipscani 41, București. More under “Getting there”
When is the best time to visit Little Paris Museum (Muzeul Micul Paris)?
The best season for Little Paris Museum (Muzeul Micul Paris): All year round (all year).
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