5/5 Alex B. 1 year ago on Google • 280 reviews
Where
to
even
start…
for
phalerists
and
medal
enthusiasts
this
place
is
HEAVEN!
For
history
lovers,
jewellery
nuts
and
everyone
else
it
is
a
truly
amazing
place
to
marvel
at
some
incredible
treasures.
This
place
is
truly
the
most
underrated
museum
in
all
of
Paris,
and
my
all
time
favourite
in
the
world.
Everyone
should
spend
a
few
hours
wandering
the
halls
of
this
place.
Located
in
the
center
of
Paris,
the
museum
is
located
directly
opposite
the
Musée
d’Orsay
and
this
means
it’s
right
on
top
of
the
RER
station
of
the
same
name.
It’s
also
a
two
min
walk
from
Metro
stop
Solférino
and
a
four
min
walk
from
Assemblée
Nationale,
both
on
Metro
Line
12.
The
entry
to
the
museum
is
free,
which
is
a
fantastic
perk
of
like
me,
you
come
back
multiple
times
a
year.
The
staff
at
the
front
desk
are
very
friendly
and
assist
you
with
any
questions,
and
there
are
also
toilets
in
the
main
reception
area.
The
museum
itself
is
laid
out
very
well,
and
easy
to
navigate.
It’s
best
to
start
off
with
the
rooms
containing
the
French
orders
and
decorations.
This
spans
a
huge
period
of
time
and
French
history,
starting
off
with
the
old
royal
orders
from
the
Ancien
Regime.
The
examples
of
the
Order
of
Saint
Michel,
Order
of
the
Holy
Spirit
and
the
Order
of
St
Louis
are
some
of
the
finest
in
the
world
and
comprise
the
best
collection
of
these
orders
anywhere
in
the
planet.
Not
just
insignia
but
also
mantles
and
robes,
as
well
as
documents,
cases
and
other
paraphernalia.
The
French
exhibit
continues
with
the
greatest
collection
on
the
planet
of
the
museums
namesake;
the
Legion
d’Honneur.
The
quality
and
variety
of
the
sets
of
insignia
on
display
will
blow
you
alway…
tones
of
examples
from
the
Napoleonic
First
Empire,
through
the
Bourbon
Restoration,
July
Monarchy,
Second
Republic,
Second
Empire
and
finally
the
3rd,
4th
and
current
5th
republic.
Showing
the
slight
and
sometimes
radical
alterations
made
to
the
design
of
the
order,
there
are
examples
from
every
grade
and
every
period.
The
highlight
of
the
Legion
d’Honneur
section
is
the
three
collars
on
display,
the
Napoleonic
collar,
the
collar
from
the
third
republic
and
the
collar
of
the
current
French
state,
still
used
at
presidential
inaugurations
today.
The
next
part
of
the
museum
deals
with
orders
and
decorations
from
around
the
world,
starting
off
with
the
rest
of
Europe.
The
selection
of
insignia
on
display
is
beyond
world-class.
It
is
simply
the
greatest
collection
ever
compiled,
both
in
quality
and
quantity.
Sets
of
insignia
almost
impossible
to
see
on
display
anywhere
else
on
earth,
as
well
as
examples
from
very
famous
individuals.
Almost
every
European
country,
both
big
and
small
and
from
different
eras
of
their
history
are
displayed.
Stunningly
rare
items
from
the
German
and
Italian
states,
as
well
as
British
Orders
of
the
Garter,
Habsburg
Orders
of
the
Fleece,
Swedish
Order
of
the
Seraphim
and
Danish
Order
of
the
Elephant,
are
displayed
beautifully
and
in
such
quantities
and
quality
that
it
takes
your
breath
away.
Towards
the
end
of
the
international
hall
you
can
see
items
from
Asian,
Middle
Eastern,
African
and
American
counties
with
some
very
rare
articles
on
display
as
well.
Upstairs
deals
with
mostly
either
military
medals,
or
individuals
collections
that
have
been
kept
and
displayed
together.
Full
of
examples
of
some
of
the
rarest
and
most
beautiful
orders
and
decorations,
it’s
truly
breathtaking.
The
artistry
and
craft
of
these
pieces,
as
well
as
in
some
cases
the
value
of
precious
stones
and
diamonds,
not
to
even
mention
the
rarity,
mean
that
anyone
even
slightly
interested
in
these
objects,
don’t
find
a
better
collection
anywhere
else.
You
will
find
you
have
spent
hours
just
admiring
these
beautiful
objects
and
learning
their
history
and
meaning.
If
you
are
a
collector
yourself,
it’s
very
fun
to
see
items
on
display
that
you
have
in
your
personal
collection,
as
well
as
items
you’ve
always
dreamed
of
owning.
If
you
are
very
interested,
I
recommend
visiting
on
the
18th
September
each
year,
as
this
is
a
government
open
day
in
Paris
and
you
can
visit
the
chancellery
as
well!
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