This humble little museum dedicated to the 19th-century French novelist and thinker Honoré de Balzac is housed in the writer’s home, located in Passy, formerly an independent town west of Paris. The novelist lived and worked here from 1840 to 1847, conceiving his monumental series of interconnected novels and stories, La Comédie humaine (The Human Comedy), as well as many other acclaimed novels.
Read related: Exploring the tranquil charms of Passy
Acquired by the city of Paris in 1949 and converted into a free municipal museum, the Maison de Balzac exhibits rare manuscripts, letters, personal items and other artifacts. Balzac’s office and desk have also been partially reconstituted.
If you’re a dedicated fan of the prolific author or just curious to learn more about his life and work, I highly recommend setting aside a couple of hours for this under-appreciated museum during a tour of the far west of Paris.
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Location and contact information:
La Maison de Balzac is located in the 16th arrondissement of Paris (arrondissement), in the quiet, charming and mainly residential neighborhood known as Passy. Restaurants, shops, excellent bakeries, and markets abound in the area, so if time permits, explore the area before or after visiting the museum.
Direction:
47, rue Raynouard
Metro: Passy or La Muette
Tel: +33 (0) 1 55 74 41 80
Visit the official website (French only)
Opening hours and tickets:
The museum is open Tuesday through Sunday from 10:00 am to 6:00 pm. Closed on Mondays and French bank / holidays, including New Years Day, May 1, and Christmas Day. The library is open Tuesday through Friday from 12:30 pm to 5:30 pm and Saturday from 10:30 am to 5:30 pm (except holidays). Note that the museum temporarily closed in the spring of 2019 for renovations, but is scheduled to reopen in the summer. The library is open by appointment during this time.
Tickets: entry to the permanent collections and exhibits is free for all visitors. Admission prices vary for temporary exhibitions – call ahead for more information. Admission to temporary shows is free for all visitors under 13 years of age.
Nearby sights and attractions:
- District 16
- Paris Wine Museum (Musee du Vin)
- The Eiffel Tower
Highlights of the Permanent Exhibition at the Maison de Balzac:
The permanent collection of the Maison de Balzac is completely free and features manuscripts, original editions of Balzac’s works, illustrated books from the 19th century, prints and other works of art, including sculptures and paintings by the author.
The Hall of Characters (Hall of Characters) houses hundreds of typographic prints depicting the characters that populate Balzac’s fictional universe.
The library holds more than 15,000 artifacts and documents related to Balzac and his time.
