Best for
Families, casual visitors wanting a lighter attraction between museums
Time needed
1–1.5 hours
Worth it?
Yes as a fun, photo-friendly break — not essential for serious art or history travellers
Skip if
Wax museums don't interest you or your budget is focused on major art collections
About Musée Grévin
Musée Grévin opened in 1882, founded by journalist Arthur Meyer and modelled explicitly on London's Madame Tussauds, with sculptor Alfred Grévin — after whom it's named — creating the earliest wax figures. It quickly became a fixture of the Grands Boulevards entertainment district, alongside the neighbouring Passage des Panoramas and Paris's historic theatre and café-concert scene.
The museum today holds more than 200 wax figures across twelve themed rooms, mixing historical figures (French kings, Napoleon, wartime leaders) with contemporary celebrities, actors and musicians, refreshed periodically to keep the roster current. Unlike many museums, physical interaction is actively encouraged — visitors are invited to pose for photos alongside the figures rather than simply observe from behind rope barriers.
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The building itself retains genuine Belle Époque interiors, including an ornate Hall of Mirrors reminiscent of Versailles' famous gallery, adding a layer of historical architectural interest beyond the wax figures themselves.
Its central location just off the Grands Boulevards, a short walk from the Opéra Garnier and the covered passages of the 2nd and 9th arrondissements, makes it an easy stop for a family afternoon or a lighter counterpoint to a day of more serious museum-going.
What to See: Highlights
- 1More than 200 wax figures across twelve themed rooms
- 2A genuine Belle Époque Hall of Mirrors interior
- 3Photo-friendly displays — posing with figures is encouraged, not forbidden
- 4A historic entertainment-district location on the Grands Boulevards
- 5A lighter, family-friendly counterpoint to Paris's more serious museums
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Insider Tips
Book online in advance — timed entry is standard and discounted versus box-office price
Good option for families with children who need a break from art museums
Combine with a walk through the nearby Passage des Panoramas or Galerie Vivienne
Open-ended tickets cost more but allow flexible-date entry within a year
Weekday mornings are the quietest time to visit
Book a Guided Tour
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Getting There
10 Boulevard Montmartre, 75009 Paris
Open in Google Maps →- 1Metro 8 or 9 to Grands Boulevards, right outside the entrance.
Where to stay
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Frequently Asked Questions
Everything you need to know before you visit.
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Should You Visit?
Visit if...
- You're travelling with children who'd enjoy a hands-on, photo-friendly attraction
- You want a lighter break from serious art and history museums
- You're already exploring the Grands Boulevards or covered passages
- You enjoy Belle Époque interiors
Skip if...
- Wax museums generally don't appeal to you
- You're prioritising a tight budget for major art museums instead
- You have limited time and other Grands Boulevards sights to see
Ready to Book Your Visit?
More to See in Paris
Palais Garnier
Charles Garnier's opulent 1875 opera house, its Grand Staircase and gilded foyer as much a reason to visit as an actual performance — plus a Chagall-painted auditorium ceiling.
Passages Couverts (Galerie Vivienne & Passage des Panoramas)
Paris's surviving 19th-century covered shopping arcades, glass-roofed precursors to the modern shopping mall, best explored as a linked walk through the 2nd arrondissement.