Musée de la Monnaie de Paris
11, quai Conti, 6th
Tel. 01 40 46 57 57
M° Odéon
Open Tues-Sun 11am-6pm (Wed until 9pm).
Entry €12.
www.monnaiedeparis.fr
This completely renovated museum in the former Paris Mint overlooking the Seine guides the visitor through a history of coin-making and the various coins employed throughout French history. For over 12 centuries, the Monnaie de Paris has focused on minting coins, as well as the production of artistic craftsmanship. In 1973, due to the growing number of coins to produce, a new factory was inaugurated in Pessac (near Bordeaux, Southern France) in order to mint common coins, including – obviously – French Euros.
The 18th-century mansion now houses the museum, a 1200m² multimedia, interactive, educational experience highlighting the French “savoir-faire” that has evolved throughout the centuries: engraving demonstrations, immersion in the last functioning factory in Paris, observing the 150 dedicated artisans working there. Exceptional heritage collections and their secrets of fabrication: tools and machines, medals, coins, remarkable treasures.
Opening Hours: Daily except Monday, from Tuesday through Sunday 11am-6pm; Wednesday until 9pm.
Tickets : Entry is €12 (free for students under 26).
Info and Services: Gift shop with jewelry, collectible coins, etc open until 7pm. There is a casual Café Frappé open Tues-Sun 11am-7pm, brunch Sat-Sun 11:30am-4pm. The three-star Restaurant Guy Savoy is only accessible with advance reservations: tel +33 (0)1 43 80 40 61. Access these both via the second entrance at 2bis, Rue Guénégaud.
