The Exhibition
Dive into the heart of the 18th century at the Museum of Decorative Arts with “A Day in the 18th Century,” an immersive reconstruction of a Parisian townhouse from the 1780s. Supported by cinematic, sound, and olfactory scenography, the exhibition transforms objects and interiors into a lively and captivating stroll, a charming invitation to better understand aristocratic life on the eve of the Revolution.
The exhibition “A Day in the 18th Century” at the Museum of Decorative Arts runs from February 18 to July 5, 2026. Over 550 pieces from the museum’s collections recreate a Parisian aristocratic residence from the 1780s. Wood paneling, furniture, ceramics, silverware, clothing, jewelry, and toys furnish consecutive rooms. Visitors wander as privileged guests, guided by cinematic, sound, and olfactory scenography, paced over an entire day.
La scénographie adopte un rythme narratif: bruit de rue, porche, cour puis enchaînement des pièces selon la distribution classique d’un hôtel particulier. Dispositifs sonores et éléments olfactifs viennent épaissir la perception, rendant tangibles gestes et habitudes souvent réduits à des descriptions dans les livres.
L’ensemble n’est ni catalogue ni reconstitution muséographique froide: c’est plutôt une promenade organisée, précise et généreuse, qui invite à mesurer la finesse des ateliers parisiens et la texture quotidienne d’un milieu social avant 1789. Ce parti pris fait sentir pourquoi la visite mérite d’être inscrite dès maintenant dans son agenda culturel.
Why Go
Experience the 18th century as if entering a house: from the noisy street to the calm garden, the exhibition brings to life an entire day in a Parisian townhouse. Dense and sensuous, it restores the intimacy of the 1780s thanks to cinematic, sound, and olfactory scenography.
From the Street to the Garden: Approaching the Townhouse
L’entrée du parcours joue d’un contraste radical entre tumulte urbain et intimité domestique.
From urban bustle to aristocratic home intimacy. The route begins in a noisy Paris street. Cobblestones crowded with vehicles, walls covered in posters, and street vendors’ cries recreate 18th-century urban turmoil. A majestic gateway soon opens, asserting the owners’ power while keeping city crowds at bay. Anonymous, sedan chair, Paris, circa 1740–1750, wood, copper, glass, painted canvas The courtyard reveals a sedan chair dated to 1740–1750 and a removable coach table, ready for use. Beyond, the garden unfolds with porcelain flower beds, delicate trellises, and potted plants. A gardener wearing a large straw hat stands at the center, a familiar figure among the greenery. These spaces reflect the townhouse’s classic layout, between courtyard and garden. As an urban residence of an influential family, it embodies 18th-century balance between architectural tradition and pursuit of novelty. The exhibition highlights this tension through multiple perspectives, from norm to exception. A majestic gateway opens, asserting owner power while keeping city proximity at bay. Entry to the interior is seamless. A pink-striped silk English gown with brocaded flowers and a hard-paste porcelain pug from the Berlin manufactory announce the rich collections gathered. “A Day in the 18th Century” at the Decorative Arts takes shape from the threshold, contrasting private splendor with public bustle.
Un porche majestueux s'ouvre bientôt, affirmant la puissance des propriétaires tout en tenant à distance la promiscuité de la ville. Anonyme, Chaise à porteurs, Paris, vers 1740, 1750, bois, cuivre, verre, toile peinte La cour dévoile une chaise à porteurs datée des années 1740, 1750 et une table amovible de carrosse, prêtes à être mises en branle.
Au-delà, le jardin déploie ses parterres de fleurs en porcelaine, ses treillages délicats et ses plantations en pots. Une jardinière coiffée d'un grand chapeau de paille se tient au centre, silhouette familière parmi les végétaux.
Ces espaces traduisent la distribution classique de l'hôtel particulier, entre cour et jardin. Résidence urbaine d'une famille influente, il incarne au XVIIIe siècle un équilibre entre tradition architecturale et quête de nouveauté.
L'exposition éclaire cette tension à travers des visages multiples, de la norme à l'exception. Un porche majestueux s'ouvre, affirmant la puissance des propriétaires tout en tenant à distance la promiscuité de la ville.
Le passage vers l'intérieur s'effectue sans rupture. Une robe à l'anglaise en pékin de soie à rayures roses, brochée de fleurs, et un carlin en porcelaine dure de la manufacture de Berlin annoncent la richesse des collections réunies.
«Une journée au XVIIIe siècle» aux Arts décoratifs prend corps dès le seuil, dans le contraste entre faste privé et agitation publique.
Editor's note
The editorial team warmly recommends this walk through the heart of a townhouse which, through its carefully orchestrated scenography and sensory choices, transforms the 18th century into a living experience: you pass through, breathe, listen to an era that stops being abstract to become familiar.
A real favorite for the materiality and precision of the ensembles—fabrics, furniture, workshop details—that make the finesse of craftsmanship tangible and bring the intimacy of usage to life; a generous and deeply enjoyable visit well worth the trip without hesitation.
Morning: Getting Up, Grooming and the Household
La chambre à coucher devient scène première: lit, linge, instruments et rituels s’y déploient avec minutie.
Awakening of an aristocratic home under the Enlightenment The day begins in the bedroom. A duchess bed, placed perpendicular to the wall, occupies the central space. The canopy and draped fabric add warmth and intimacy for the sleeper. Around seven o’clock, the masters awaken, served by servants up since four. They first perform devotions, then eat a meat and vegetable broth in an ear-handled porcelain bowl on a tray. 550 Pieces from the museum’s collections gathered in the exhibition Grooming is often done before a small circle of friends or suppliers. Pitcher and basin, soap and sponge boxes, eye cup and bidet make up common accessories. Chamber pot, bourdaloue, and close stool complete intimate hygiene. Powdered natural hair wigs, perfumes in ornate bottles, makeup and beauty spots compose a necessary preparation to appear before the world. Louis-Léopold Boilly, The Gohin Family, 1787, oil on canvas Painted in 1787, this group portrait depicts the family of Rouen shipowner and pigment merchant Julien Gohin, leaning on a mahogany desk, surrounded by his wife Catherine Boileau, great-niece of writer Nicolas Boileau, their children and spouses. The painting showcases Boilly’s talent for bourgeois interior scenes, where every clothing and furniture detail speaks of social rank and aspirations of a family enriched by distant trade. In the exhibition route, this canvas introduces the full household and lets visitors grasp the social codes governing daily life of a wealthy Enlightenment family, from Monsieur’s court sword to Madame’s jewelry. Servants are busy: polishing silverware, preparing meals, drawing water from the copper fountain, washing laundry. Dogs, cats and birds show growing affection for pets. Clocks, cartel clocks and watches mark time perceived with new precision. “A Day in the 18th Century” restores these figures in their morning activities.
Baldaquin et pentes de tissu apportent chaleur et intimité au dormeur. Vers sept heures, les maîtres s'éveillent, servis par des domestiques debout depuis quatre heures.
On fait d'abord ses dévotions, puis on se sustente d'un bouillon de viande et de légumes dans une écuelle à oreilles en porcelaine posée sur son plateau. 550 Pièces issues des collections du musée réunies dans l'exposition La toilette s'effectue souvent devant un cercle restreint d'amis ou de fournisseurs.
Aiguière et bassin, boîtes à savon et à éponge, œillère et bidet forment l'attirail courant. Chaise percée, bourdaloue et pot de chambre complètent l'hygiène intime.
Perruques de cheveux naturels poudrées, parfums en flacons ornés, fards et mouches composent un apprêt indispensable pour paraître aux yeux du monde. Louis-Léopold Boilly, La Famille Gohin, 1787, huile sur toile
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the dates and hours of the exhibition?
“A Day in the 18th Century” runs from February 18, 2026, to July 5, 2026. The museum is open Tuesday to Sunday from 11 am to 6 pm; a late opening is scheduled on Thursdays until 9 pm. Closed weekly on Mondays. During late openings, some museum spaces may remain closed.
Where is the exhibition held and how to get there?
At the Museum of Decorative Arts, 107 Rue de Rivoli, 75001 Paris. Metro access: Palais Royal, Musée du Louvre stations (lines 1 and 7) or Tuileries (line 1).
How much is the entrance fee and where to get tickets?
The adult price listed is €15. Cancellation policy: full refund if you cancel up to 24 hours before the visit.
What should visitors expect during the visit and how much time to allow?
The path reconstructs a Parisian aristocratic home from the 1780s with over 550 items—paneling, furniture, ceramics, silverware, clothing, jewelry, and toys—and follows the course of a day (from morning to evening). The scenography is cinematic, sound-based, and olfactory; key pieces include a striped silk gown and Dugourc’s bed design. The visit takes about one to two hours depending on pace; during late openings, keep in mind some spaces may be closed.
After Dinner: Library, Boudoir and Table
Les dernières salles transforment l’exposition en soirée: musique, jeux et conversation occupent l’espace comme des actes civils.
Between knowledge, intimacy and French table manners After dinner leads to the library. The gentleman devotes himself to science, philosophy, or his curiosity about China and Japan. Desk or secretary holds correspondence and estate management. Colorful silk dressing gown, indoor cap and embroidered slippers allow relaxed attire. Madame’s boudoir forms the counterpart: reading on an ottoman, writing at a bonheur-du-jour desk, crafting small works with pearls woven using precious shuttles. ⚜ The dining room receives dinner between two and four p.m. The table is set around a glass centerpiece designed to encourage conversation. The so-called “à la française” service presents all dishes garnished simultaneously. Wall fountain, serving consoles and coolers furnish the room. The snack follows: chocolate, tea or coffee, luxury products imported from distant regions, are served in silverware and porcelain vessels designed for this purpose. In the 18th century, chocolate was drunk hot in special cups called “trembleuses,” featuring a rimmed saucer to prevent spills. Jean-Baptiste-Marie Pierre (1713–1789), The Bad News, 18th century, oil on canvas
Bureau ou secrétaire accueille la correspondance et la gestion des domaines. Robe de chambre en soieries colorées, bonnet d'intérieur et mules brodées autorisent une tenue relâchée.
Le boudoir de Madame en forme le pendant: on y lit dans une ottomane, on écrit sur un bonheur-du-jour, on confectionne de menus ouvrages en perles tissées au moyen de navettes précieuses. La salle à manger reçoit le dîner entre quatorze et seize heures.
La table se dresse autour d'un surtout en verre filé destiné à stimuler la conversation. Le service dit «à la française» présente tous les plats garnis simultanément.
Fontaine murale, consoles-dessertes et rafraîchissoirs meublent la pièce. La collation suit: chocolat, thé ou café, produits de luxe importés de régions lointaines, se versent dans des pièces d'orfèvrerie et de porcelaine conçues à cet effet.
Au XVIIIe siècle, le chocolat se déguste chaud dans des tasses spécifiques appelées «trembleuses», dotées d'une soucoupe à rebord pour éviter les renversements. Jean-Baptiste-Marie Pierre (1713, 1789), La Mauvaise Nouvelle, XVIIIe siècle, huile sur toile
Gallery
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