French Playing Card Museum

An original museum – make sure you visit as soon as you can! The only French museum entirely devoted to playing cards, the Musée Français de la Carte à Jouer houses some extraordinary collections from around the world, dating from the 15th to the 20th century.
With a carefully thought-out layout and soft lighting to protect the fragile paper, the museum’s displays spotlight the relationship between art and playing cards, the different production techniques, the players’ universe, the performing arts and artistic creation.

Some rare and valuable cards

The museum has plenty of rare exhibits including a series on the well-known Happy Families game and a surprising collection of cards from the Reign of Terror (1793–1794). Here we learn that not only did the protagonists of the French Revolution chop people’s heads off but they also removed all symbols of royalty from playing cards! Phrygian caps – a symbol of the Revolution – took the place of crowns! More than 11,000 packs of cards are now kept at this remarkable museum. Along with everything you ever needed to know about playing cards!

You can also explore the town’s Gallery of History in the gatehouse to the former Château des Princes de Conti which adjoins the modern Museum building.

More museums in Paris Region.