Musée Cognacq-Jay, Paris
Paris, France
Visitor Information
Museum Address
8 Rue Elzévir, 75003 Paris, France
Paris, France
Ticket Prices
Free permanent
Featured Artists
2 artists in database
The Musée Cognacq-Jay in Paris preserves a collection of 18th-century European art assembled by Ernest Cognacq and his wife Marie-Louise Jay, founders of the La Samaritaine department store. They acquired some 1,200 objects between 1900 and 1927, focusing on the Rococo period.
The collection moved in 1990 to the Hôtel de Donon, a restored 16th-century mansion in the Marais district. Paintings by Fragonard, Boucher, Chardin, and Canaletto share space with porcelain, snuffboxes, and period furniture. The museum was inaugurated on June 4, 1929, by French President Gaston Doumergue and offers an intimate window into aristocratic taste during the Age of Enlightenment.
Musée Cognacq-Jay, Paris in Paris, France houses 2 masterpieces in our database, including works by Rembrandt van Rijn and François Boucher. Notable works include The beautiful kitchen and Balaam's Ass.
Famous Works at Musée Cognacq-Jay, Paris
Browse 2 notable artworks in our database. Click any work to see details and plan your visit.
Visiting Musée Cognacq-Jay, Paris
The permanent collection is always free (it's a City of Paris museum). Only temporary exhibitions require tickets (€8). You can see Watteau, Boucher, and Fragonard without paying.
It specializes in 18th-century French art: Rococo paintings, furniture, porcelain, and decorative arts. The collection was assembled by the founders of the Samaritaine department store.
If you love 18th-century French art, yes. It's small, free, uncrowded, and in the lovely Marais. Combined with the nearby Carnavalet (also free), you get a charming alternative to the major museums.
Other Museums in Paris
Can't Make It to Paris?
Bring luxury art into your home with gallery-worthy canvas prints.
Browse Our CollectionPlease note: Artwork locations and display status may change. Some paintings may be on loan, in restoration, or moved to different galleries within the museum. We recommend contacting Musée Cognacq-Jay, Paris directly to confirm specific artwork availability before your visit.
Affiliate disclosure: This page may contain affiliate links to ticket providers. If you purchase tickets through these links, we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. This helps support Masterpiece Locator. See our Terms of Use for details.
