Cognacq-Jay Museum

An art lover and more particularly a lover of the arts of the Age of Enlightenment, Ernest Cognacq has gathered throughout his life more than 1,200 European works, all reflecting the taste in vogue in the 18th century. This collection was first intended for the decoration of La Samaritaine, which from a simple boutique in 1870 to its closure in 2005, was one of the most important and well-known Parisian department stores. The Samaritaine is now reinventing itself and will open its doors again very soon. Its Art Nouveau and Art Deco buildings near the Pont Neuf are still visible.

###The 18th century in the spotlight

When this passionate collector died in 1928, this invaluable collection of paintings, furniture and other artifacts was bequeathed to the City of Paris.

The Cognacq-Jay Museum, which is now located in the charming Hôtel Donon, a historic residence in the Marais district, also offers a programme of exhibitions dedicated to a better understanding of French society and art in the 18th century.

You might also like the Eighteenth-century decorative art galleries of the Louvre Museum.