Maison de Balzac Overview:
This museum dedicated to 19th century French novelist and thinker Honoré de Balzac is located in the writer's house, nestled in Passy, formerly an independent village west of Paris. The novelist lived and worked here from 1840 to 1847, conceiving his monumental series of interconnected novels and stories, La Comédie humaine (The Human Comedy), as well as other acclaimed novels.
Acquired by the city of Paris in 1949 and converted into a free museum, the Maison de Balzac displays rare manuscripts, letters, personal objects and other artifacts. Balzac's office and writing desk has also been partially reconstituted.
Maison de Balzac Location and Contact Information:
The Maison de Balzac is located in Paris' 16th arrondissement (district), in the quiet, charming neighborhood known as Passy..
To access the Maison de Balzac:
47, rue Raynouard
Metro: Passy or La Muette
Tel : +33 (0)1 55 74 41 80
Maison de Balzac Opening Hours and Tickets:
Open: Tuesday-Sunday: 10am-6pm. Closed Mondays and public holidays. The library is open Tuesday-Friday from 12:30 pm to 5:30 pm and Saturday from 10:30 am to 5:30 pm (except
public holidays).
Tickets: Admission to the permanent collections and displays is free of charge for all visitors. Entry prices vary for temporary exhibits: call ahead. Entry to temporary shows is free for visitors under 13.
Sights and Attractions Nearby the Maison de Balzac:
Highlights of the Permanent Exhibit at the Maison de Balzac:
The permanent collection at the Maison de Balzac is completely free and features manuscripts, original editions of Balzac's works, illustrated 19th century books, engravings, and other works of art, including sculptures and paintings of the author.
The Salle des Personnages (Character's Room) houses hundreds of typographical plates depicting the characters which populate Balzac's fictional universe.
The Library carries over 15,000 works relating to Balzac and his times.
