Maison de Balzac

About the museum

The site has been occupied since the Middle Ages: excavations in 2002 uncovered, in the cellars of troglodyte dwellings from the end of that period, the only ones known in Paris. Balzac rented an apartment in the house from October 1840 and lived there until 1847. Later, the widening of rue Raynouard in 1937 removed numbers 47 and 49; only the “Folie Bertin” pavilion survived, and it became the Maison de Balzac.

The writer Louis Baudier de Royaumont rented the apartment in 1908 and opened a Balzac museum there on July 16, 1910, a date generally regarded as the museum’s founding. The house was listed as a historic monument in 1913 and the garden in 1944. The State handed the site over to the City of Paris in 1949, and the museum reopened in 1960 under the name Maison de Balzac.

The building spans three levels between rue Raynouard and rue Berton. Visitors can see Balzac’s apartment, the garden and a library installed in 1971 in the former stables. The museum is a municipal museum in the Paris Musées network and holds the “Musée de France” label.

Highlights

• Apartment where Balzac lived from 1840 to 1847
• Garden listed as a historic monument
• Library in the former stables
• Gautier collection on Balzac
• Troglodyte cellars from the late Middle Ages, discovered in 2002

Permanent exhibitions

• Appartement et collections de la Maison de Balzac – A route through the writer’s apartment with portraits, manuscripts, objects and mementoes linked to La Comédie humaine.
• Le jardin – Garden listed as a historic monument, open during the museum’s opening hours.

Founded

1910

Operated by

Paris Musées (Ville de Paris)

Admission & discounts

Admission is free.

Access to the permanent collections is free for individual visitors; temporary exhibitions are paid (prices not listed on the page). Groups book with Paris Musées, with a flat fee per group.

Accessibility

• Partially wheelchair accessible
• Elevator: no information
• Accessible restroom: no information
• Accessible parking: no information
• Service dogs welcome
• Tactile models & exhibits
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

The garden and the permanent collections are accessible to visitors with reduced mobility; the museum is described as partly accessible. Two tactile works (a bust of Balzac by Rodin and an engraving of a lioness) can be added to the route on prior request. Guide dogs are welcome; therapy support animals are accepted with a medical certificate. A tablet for virtual visits is available at reception; Gautier’s books in large print can be consulted in the library.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide

Visual arts workshops from age 8, a writing club from age 10 and storytelling from age 7 at special events. A literary game and colouring sheets featuring characters from the works are available as learning resources.

Getting there & parking

Entrance via 49 rue Raynouard. Vélib’ bike stations: 4 rue du Ranelagh, 1 rue de Passy and 1–3 rue Chernoviz.

Amenities & dining

• Café
• Museum shop
• Lockers

Rose Bakery tea room in the garden, open at the same hours as the museum. Lockers at the entrance; bags larger than 40 x 30 cm are refused. Bag checks at the entrance.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit