Rick Steves' Favorite Romantic Mansion In Paris Is A Delightful, Must-Visit Attraction

While Parisian destinations like the Eiffel Tower, Notre Dame, and the Louvre are all spectacular, there are plenty of overlooked attractions that are less crowded in the City of Light. It would take decades to uncover all of Paris' hidden gems, but travel expert Rick Steves has done well to help fellow travelers find at least a few. One that flies under the radar, despite being located less than one mile from the Arc de Triomphe, is the Musée Jacquemart-André.

As is the case with some of the best museums to visit in Paris, Musée Jacquemart-André is located in a former private residence. In a Rick Steves Travel Talks video, Steves called it his favorite romantic mansion in Paris. Edouard André moved into the home in the 1870s, bringing his personal art collection with him. High society Parisians attended the mansion's inauguration, and news reporters were thoroughly impressed with the home's grandeur. André's art collection grew when he married artist Nélie Jacquemart, who wanted the public to enjoy their art collection. Thus, Musée Jacquemart-André was born in 1913. 

A visit to Musée Jacquemart-André transports you back to the La Belle Époque era of Paris. With high society associations, this era was similar to the Gilded Age in the United States. The opulently furnished rooms in the Musée Jacquemart-André showcase the art and romance of La Belle Époque. Rick Steves says that as you explore the home's dreamy 19th-century décor, complete with huge tapestries and marble columns, "you can almost imagine the clatter of jewelry mixing with the chamber music as Edouard and Nélie threw a party."

While there is plenty of art in the former living spaces, Musée Jacquemart-André has three gallery rooms collectively known as the Italian Museum. When Edouard André and Nélie Jacquemart lived here, they used these rooms to house their extensive collection of Italian art and rarely invited others to see it. The couple collected paintings, sculptures, and church fixtures with particular affinities for pieces originating from Florence and Venice. With works from Sandro Botticelli, Giovanni Bellini, and more, the air of exclusivity remains throughout these galleries.

The upper class during this opulent era of Parisian history dined well, too. Keep the Belle Époque times rolling at Le Nélie. This restaurant and tea room at Musée Jacquemart-André serves locally-made pastries, wine, champagne, quiche, and more French favorites. Tea is available on weekends from 3:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. Weekends also bring special brunch menus from 11:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. You can also eat at Le Nélie without buying a museum ticket.

Rick Steves' smart approach to European museums advises that visitors buy their tickets online ahead of time. Musée Jacquemart-André might not be as well known as the Louvre or Musée d'Orsay, but it can still get busy. The website for Musée Jacquemart-André suggests buying tickets online as ticket holders are guaranteed entrance during periods of higher traffic. Given how busy a place like Paris can be, planning ahead is always a good idea. Lastly, Steves' recommends booking a guided tour for Musée Jacquemart-André. This applies to any mansion-turned-museum in Europe.