Located in the exquisite Hôtel de Donon in Le Marais, the Musée Cognacq‑Jay beautifully captures the spirit of 18th‑century Paris. Assembled between 1900 and 1927 by La Samaritaine founder Ernest Cognacq and his wife Marie‑Louise Jaÿ, the collection was gifted to the City of Paris in 1928. Opened in 1929 on Boulevard des Capucines and relocated in 1990, it houses about 1,200 works—paintings, furniture, sculptures and exquisite objets d’art—spread over a dozen panelled rooms.

Visitors begin amidst a paved courtyard and French garden before exploring Louis XV and XVI salons adorned with masterpieces by Boucher, Fragonard, Chardin, Watteau, Canaletto, Rembrandt and Houdon. The intimate setting recreates the lived-in ambience of an 18th‑century salon. Notably, Cognacq avoided the sterile feel of a traditional museum, creating a warm, domestic atmosphere.

The collection includes fine ceramics, snuffboxes, toiletries, jewelry and elegant furniture. Temporary exhibitions, lectures and workshops add depth, such as the "Empire of the Senses" exhibition and contemporary dialogues.

Visitors enjoy a serene, refined environment ideal for families, art lovers, students and curious tourists. Guided tours and mobile apps are available in multiple languages including sign language. Opening hours are Tuesday–Sunday 10 AM–6 PM, closed Mondays and major holidays; last admission is at 5 PM, bookstore closes at 5:45 PM. Access by metro (Saint‑Paul, Chemin‑Vert, Rambuteau), bus and Vélib’; free restrooms and wifi. Note: no wheelchair ramp but services for people with disabilities are available.