Grevin Wax Museum Paris
The Grevin Wax Museum Paris, also known as Musée Grévin, is a Parisian institution. A fun and slightly bonkers wax museum in the 9th arrondissement, inspired by Madame Tussauds in London. It has been there since 1882 and is famous for vivid depictions of France’s most notable historical events.
Add in a small but extravagantly decorated baroque building, a mesmerizing light and mirror show, and some insights into the wax sculpting process, and there is plenty to see and do. It all adds up to a lighthearted family-friendly diversion in the heart of Paris. The perfect antidote to the more solemn cultural attractions that Paris is known for.
Grevin Wax Museum Paris – What is it?
Sweeping through French history and contemporary global culture, Grevin Wax Museum Paris is one of the oldest and most globally renowned wax museums. Exhibiting global superstars alongside many French icons, Grevin Wax Museum Paris is an absorbing way to learn about the culture and history of France. And if that isn’t enough, there are plenty of opportunities to take selfies with well-known faces. Whether you want a photo with Queen Elizabeth II, Leonardo DiCaprio, or Charles de Gaulle, little is off-limits.
Musée Grévin Paris Wax Museum was founded by a press baron in 1882 to bring Parisians closer to the headline makers of the day. The opportunity to ‘see’ famous personalities up close made Musée Grévin Paris Wax Museum a near-instant success. Its doors have stayed open ever since.
Part of the success of Grevin Wax Museum Paris can be attributed to their commitment to authenticity. Like the tableau recreating the final moments of revolutionary firebrand Jean-Paul Marat using the actual assassin’s actual knife and the bathtub he was killed in.
In addition to the many celebrities with frozen smiles, the Grevin Wax Museum Paris is known for its dazzling hall of mirrors, a former exhibit at the 1900 Paris Exposition. There is also a small and photogenic Italian-style theatre that is a registered historic monument. Tickets for performances at Théâtre Grevin can be booked separately.
In recent years, the Grévin brand of wax museum has gone global. Branches have opened in Montreal and Seoul, as interest in wax museums shows no sign of abating.
How to visit Grévin Wax Museum in Paris
The Grevin Wax Museum Paris can quickly go from reasonably quiet to packed with schoolchildren. We can’t promise to help you find the best time to visit, but we have all the info you need to plan your trip below.
Grévin Wax Museum Paris Tickets
Tickets can be purchased at the entrance or online. Buying in advance online is cheaper.
Tour | Best Choice Grévin Wax Museum Ticket | Paris: Grèvin Wax Museum and Seine River Cruise Tickets |
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Duration | 1-2 hours | 3 hours |
What's included | Skip-the-line entry to Musée Grévin Paris Wax Museum. | A 1-hour Seine River cruise with an audio guide in 14 languages. Skip-the-line entry to Grévin Wax Museum. |
Tickets |
- Standard ticket adult: €25
- Standard ticket children: €18.50
- Free Entry: Under 5s
Entry to Musée Grévin Paris Wax Museum is included with the Paris Pass, which offers free access to around 75 attractions in Paris. The pass can be a money saver if you plan to dash through Paris’s leading destinations.
Buy your ticket online in advance
Is the visit worth it?
Grevin Wax Museum Paris is an entertaining and unique attraction housed in an intriguing building. It is ideal for families and anyone looking for a laughter-filled diversion away from the leading cultural destinations of Paris. The museum also delivers a unique perspective on French culture, introducing international visitors to French icons and national superstars often unknown outside France. There are also a few interesting perspectives on French history that you won’t find in more humorless French museums.
The wax models are lifelike, and there are many big names from around the world to pose with for selfies. If you crave finer culture, the baroque foyer and singular Italian-style theatre are architectural delights. Entry to the Grevin Wax Museum Paris may be pricier than some of the leading attractions of Paris, but few places are as much fun. And nowhere else can you fill you capture so many unexpected images to surprise friends back home.
Grevin Wax Museum Paris History
While the history of Grevin Wax Museum Paris can’t match that of the grandest historic buildings of Paris, the backstory is intriguing and highlights how interest in celebrity culture predates cinema and popular music. Arthur Meyer, the director of a conservative national newspaper, Le Gaulois (eventually absorbed by Le Figaro) founded the museum in 1882. His idea was to bring the events depicted in his newspaper to life for curious Parisians.
Enlisting the support of a well-known caricaturist with an interest in sculpting, Alfred Grévin, they had the money and knowledge to create a museum that immediately captured popular interest. The inspiration came from a French émigré, Marie Tussaud, who had established the popular London waxworks in her name.
With an emphasis on French history and culture in its early days, Grevin Wax Museum Paris has grown to encompass world figures and celebrities. The collection reputedly includes around 2,000 wax characters, although only a fraction is displayed. The exhibition and archive are continually updated as new stars are born. The museum building was also intended to be a star attraction: from the arresting entrance to an interior that evokes the optimistic spirit of La Belle Époque. An elegant marble staircase and ornate Italian-style theatre were designed to enhance the experience.
Situated close to some of the most-visited destinations in the city, Grevin Wax Museum Paris has remained a much-loved fixture of the local tourist map since the day it opened.
FAQ
Where is Grevin Wax Museum Paris?
In the 9th arrondissement, aka the Opéra district. The adress: 10 Boulevard Montmartre, 75009, Paris.
How do I get to Musée Grévin Paris Wax Museum?
The nearest Metro stations are Grands Boulevards or Bourse (lines 8, 9, 3). Buses (stopping at Grands Boulevards): 24, 74, 85
Do I need to book in advance?
No. Tickets can be bought on the day. Tickets purchased at least 3 days in advance are cheaper.
How long should I visit the Grevin Wax Museum?
1-2 hours. Extra if you plan on taking selfies with every superstar.
What is there to visit nearby?
The Opéra district is home to some Parisian highlights. The closest ones to Grevin Wax Museum Paris are:
Passage Jouffroy – a delightful covered passage dating back to 1845 that is a registered historic monument (directly outside the exit)
Palais Garnier – the resplendent home of the world-famous Opéra national de Paris (1 km / 0.6 miles)
Galeries Lafayette Haussmann – a magnificently ostentatious department store that offers panoramic views over Paris (850 m)
Where to get refreshments?
The onsite Café Grévin maintains the waxwork theme with a baroque interior and characteristic menus. A full selection of drinks and brasserie food is available.
There is a wide choice of alternatives in the streets adjacent to Grevin Wax Museum Paris. Such as a Hard Rock café next door and well-known food chains on Boulevard Haussmann. Diverse eateries are found on nearby Rue du Faubourg Montmartre. Whatever your appetite, there are many more options a short distance away.
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