his Architecture Heritage Museum reopened in September of 2007 after undergoing five years of construction. In the spacious hall on the first floor you’ll find full-sized models of buildings from the Middle Ages through the 18th century on display, all of which hold some special, historical value. However, even though they are models, when you are actually standing there looking at them you'll have trouble thinking of them as such. Most of these were made from casts taken of actual buildings in the 19th century, and this technique for producing the models is also a meaningful tradition of France. After the damage suffered during the two World Wars, the reconstruction of many of France’s historical buildings was greatly helped by these models.

On the second floor sits a new area that was not a part of the previous museum of French cultural assets. It features smaller models and photographs of modern French architecture. The star of this portion is the actual sized reproduction of one of Le Corbusier’s Unité d'Habitation apartments. Seeing as how very few of us know anyone who lives in one of these, we don’t often get the chance to go inside, do we? But the museum's greatest charm is really just the opportunity to take a look around the legacy of architecture in Paris while you are actually there. And being able to see the Eiffel Tower out of any window while touring the museum will bring a smile to your face as well.

Cite de l'architecture et du patrimoine
Architecture Heritage Museum
Palais de Chaillot, 1 Place du Trocadero 75016
Tel : 01 58 51 52 00
Metro : Trocadero Lines 6 and 9, with no walking
Business hours : Monday, Wednesday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday 11:00-19:00
Thursday 11:00-21:00
Holidays : Tuesdays, Jan. 1st, May 1st, Dec. 25th
Entry Fee : Gen. Adm. €7, Discounted Adm. € 5, 18 and under admitted free, first Sunday of every month everyone admitted free
Paris Museum Pass : No
Web : www.citechaillot.fr