Musée de la Vie Romantique Celebrates its Grand Reopening

This past Valentine’s Day, after 17 months of restoration work, Musée de la Vie Romantique in the 9th arrondissement celebrated its grand reopening. Upon entering the double doors and heading into the courtyard, the main house, once home to Romantic artist Ary Scheffer, stands in all its restored glory. The restoration aimed to recreate the house as it would’ve looked when it was first built in 1830, and the neo-Renaissance colors and architecture have been painstakingly refashioned. 

While not as well-known as other Parisian museums, Vie Romantique is one of the few museums with a free permanent collection (though tickets must be purchased for the temporary exhibition). In addition, it’s part of the Paris Musées group, and the main house is registered as a historical monument. 

A Brief History 

Musée de la Vie Romantique opened in 1987 and is run by the City of Paris, but the houses which make up the museum were built long before. Since their construction in 1830, these buildings served as Romantic artist Ary Scheffer’s residence and studio, and this area quickly turned into a hotspot for other artists, writers, singers, composers, historians, and politicians. A respected artist who painted in nearly every genre, Scheffer was equally as well known for his Friday evening salons, where creatives and influential leaders could converse. Among his close circle of friends were painter Eugène Delacroix, writer George Sand, and composer Franz Listz.  

After Scheffer’s death in 1858, the houses were passed down through various family members, until they were sold to the State in 1956 and inaugurated in 1983. Until 1987, the space was used as an annex to the Musée Carnavalet, called the Musée Renan-Scheffer.  

Vie Romantique sits in the heart of the Nouvelle Athènes (New Athens) neighborhood in the 9th arrondissement, a fashionable area which was particularly attractive to Romantic artists in the early 19th century. 

The Romantic Period 

As implied by the name, Musée de la Vie Romantique centers on the Romantic period during the first half of the 19th century. After decades marked by political turmoil following the French Revolution and the Napoleonic era, artists and other creatives turned to four sources of inspiration: nature, emotions, literature, and the fantastical. Romantic pieces, including art, texts, music, and theater, are marked by emotion, drama, and freedom. Walking through the halls of Scheffer’s home, different rooms are dedicated to each of the four themes, and several paintings blend them, such as Scheffer’s La Tempête. Romantic artists were inspired by both historical and contemporary literature, often linking their art with stories or music, as well as religion and faith. 

To give visitors a better appreciation for both Scheffer — a key figure during the Romance movement — and the Romantic period itself, the museum’s layout follows a specific order, starting on the ground floor with Scheffer’s personal rooms and paintings, followed by rooms dedicated to George Sand, including display cases of her jewelry, personal items, and one of her quills. Upstairs, each room displays works in line with the four Romantic themes of nature, emotions, literature, and the fantastical. 

Updates to the Museum 

In working with architects and specialists who use 19th-century construction techniques, the museum’s direction wanted to remain as loyal as possible to the original 1830 house. Using warm-toned colors, replacing the shutters with their original color, and restoring the wallpaper and parquet were all done to keep the museum’s spirit alive while also renovating it. More practically, the house now has better ventilation, UV protection, and upgraded waterproofing materials. 

The permanent exhibition also got an upgrade, with better lighting to showcase each piece and interactive tools scattered throughout the main house. These tools invite visitors to learn more about the art in front of them and listen to stories and music connected to the paintings. This immersive experience allows both children and adults to more fully appreciate and understand each piece and its relation to Romantic themes. 

Part of the restoration work involved creating a more comfortable and accessible space for visitors, with a new ticket center, lockers, and gift shop. In addition, the temporary exhibitions, garden, and salon de thé Rose Bakery have been made wheelchair accessible. Guided tours are available in French Sign Language, and children can pick up a special brochure to help them learn about the museum while having fun. Finally, an updated smartphone application offers visitors the opportunity to listen to an audio guide or watch a Sign Language guide as they explore the museum. 

Current Exhibition 

From now until August 30th, the museum’s temporary exhibition “Face au ciel, Paul Huet en son temps” showcases the work of Paul Huet, a close friend of Scheffer. In this tribute to Huet, who loved depicting the sky in its various forms, visitors can explore paintings by Huet and other artists who offer their own unique visions of the sky, landscapes, and nature. 

Activities for the Whole Family 

Musée de la Vie Romantique is much more than a museum… with themed tours, scavenger hunts, art workshops, and concerts, there’s something for the whole family. A complete list of this year’s activities, along with available dates and registration information, can be found on the Paris Musées website.  

Practical Information 

Musée de la Vie Romantique

Address: 16 rue Chaptal, 9th arrondissement 

Tel: +33 (0)1 55 31 95 67

Hours: Tuesday to Sunday, 10 am-6 pm 

Pricing: The permanent collection is always free, while the temporary exhibition and certain activities require a paid ticket (12€ for full price).