If you haven't yet had the chance to wander through the Museum of Fairground Arts, now's your moment because this place will let you experience the magic of the holiday season like no other. Nestled in the former wine warehouses of the Bercy village, you'll discover a decor that's simply enchanting, with rooms that look straight out of a movie set, quirky curiosities from the fairgrounds of the 1850s to the 1950s, and a ballroom from the Belle Époque.
The great news? This extraordinary museum – usually only accessible for guided tours for the rest of the year – widens its doors from December 27 to January 5 for its traditional Festival of Wonders. For 10 days, the Bercy pavilions transform into a massive performance venue, featuring musicians galore, vintage carousels, spectacular acrobatics, talented dancers, and other surprises that will delight both young and old alike.
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True Time Travel
Nestled in the heart of six grand buildings showcasing 19th century industrial architecture, the Fairground Arts Museum takes us on a wonderfully dreamy journey back in time, right into the heart of the carnivals of the last century. The private garden street, which has preserved its cobblestones and period rails and has been adorned with a thousand sparkling lights for the occasion, invites us to explore the various spaces that make this place a true Parisian curiosity.
© Sébastien Siraudeau
As we wander around, we discover 5 spaces, each more magical than the last. We challenge ourselves with "The Café Boys' Race" or we trot on little horses like in Mary Poppins right in the heart of the museum; we enjoy a wonderfully fairy-tale-like stroll at the Theater of Wonders and its mechanical instruments; we marvel at a light show and a puppet operetta at the Venetian Salons; we give swing dancing a try with Philou at the heart of the Magic Mirror, a circular theater from the 1920s; or we cozy up with a warm drink on the paths of the Green Theater, all while listening to live music.
A truly wonderful festival
One could spend a lifetime here, but the museum hosts the Festival of Wonders for just one week. On the agenda...There are many shows celebrating the festivities of the 19th century, featuring aerial fairy tales, whirling dervishes, dancers, and ventriloquists, along with attractions and rides for both young and old, including a hundred-year-old carousel and a velocipede ride that has seen more than a century of happy bottoms. Outside, musicians put on a show around the wood fire and beneath the twinkling lights. A shot of pleasure to enjoy with mulled wine and onion soup, of course!
© Pavillons de Bercy
If we needed more magic, this new edition pays tribute to wine culture. It’s a journey back in time, to the heart of the largest wine and spirits market in the world that was the village of Bercy, when riverside guinguettes filled the neighborhood with joy, featuring a display of old photographs and heritage objects from former wine cellars. It's a chance to experience a moment out of time in a museum that isn't just visited, but lived. Honestly, you don’t want to miss this.
Festival of Wonder
Museum of Fair Arts
53, avenue des Terroirs-de-France – 12th
From December 27, 2024, to January 5, 2025
Every day from 10 AM to 6 PM
With every ticket purchased, get 2 free attraction tickets
Visit us for more details!More info and tickets
