Housed in the former Saint‑Martin‑des‑Champs priory, the Musée des Arts et Métiers, founded in 1794 by Abbé Grégoire, is one of the world’s oldest science and technology museums. You enter a unique setting combining neo‑Gothic architecture (the chapel restored by Léon Vaudoyer) with modern museum design, showcasing over 2,400 exhibits from a collection of 80,000.

The visit is organized around seven major themes – scientific instruments, materials, energy, mechanics, construction, communication, and transport – displayed across heritage halls and the former church nave. The highlight? Foucault’s pendulum, suspended in the chapel, offering a real‑time demonstration of Earth’s rotation, along with iconic aircraft (Blériot XI, Clément Ader’s Avion III) hanging above visitors.

You’ll also encounter Pascal’s first calculator, Bartholdi’s replica Statue of Liberty, automatons, steam engines, Cugnot’s steam-powered road vehicle (the world’s first automobile), as well as a wealth of measuring instruments, clockwork, telecommunication, printing, and robotics devices.

The atmosphere is one of curiosity and wonder: large windows flood the space with light, highlighting the geometric silhouettes of machines, and the contrast between historic architecture and technical artifacts fascinates both adults and children. The visitor profile is diverse: families, science enthusiasts, students, and tourists seeking an original and educational experience.

Among striking anecdotes: Foucault, self-taught and pioneering, engineered his own pendulum; Blériot famously crossed the English Channel in 1909, and today his aircraft still hovers majestically above the public 
Craftsmanship Magazine.

Practically, the museum is open Tuesday to Sunday from 10 am to 6 pm, with late nights until 9 pm on Fridays 
Paris Île-de-France Tourisme. It is closed on Mondays, January 1st, May 1st, and December 25th. Standard admission is €12, reduced €9 (–26 years, partners…), and free entry for EU under‑26s, Paris Museum Pass holders, first Sundays of the month, and Friday evenings.

Accessible via Arts et Métiers metro station (lines 3 & 11, decorated in steampunk style) and Réaumur‑Sébastopol (line 4), the museum offers a café–restaurant (Café des Techniques) and hosts regular guided tours, live demonstrations, children’s workshops, and lectures. All tours are included with admission, and there is a strong focus on accessibility (elevator, restrooms, multilingual staff).

In short, this museum is a thrilling journey through the history of technology for all ages, blending historical ambiance, remarkable machines, and an engaging educational spirit.