Musée français de la carte à jouer
Museum in Issy-les-Moulineaux devoted to the history of playing cards, with more than 11,000 card games from around the world; closed for works until early 2028.
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About the museum
The museum’s collection began in 1930 with an exceptional donation to the town of Issy-les-Moulineaux. Today it holds more than 11,000 sets of cards from around the world. The museum opened in 1981 under the name Musée français de la carte à jouer and also houses a gallery on the history of the town.
The architectural project rests on two elements: the Pavillon Conti, restored to house the town’s history collections, and a modern building constructed next to it for the playing cards. The museum thus combines heritage architecture with contemporary museography.
The collections present French cards, with regional portraits from the Ancien Régime and the birth of the modern French portrait; European cards, including German, Italian and Spanish portraits; Asian cards (China, India, Japan); the manufacture and regulation of games, the world of the player and scenes of play; and fantasy cards. The museum is currently closed for refurbishment, with reopening announced for early 2028.
Highlights
- More than 11,000 sets of playing cards from around the world
- Regional French portraits from the Ancien Régime and the birth of the modern French portrait
- Cards from Europe and Asia (China, India, Japan)
- Manufacture of playing cards and scenes of play
- Gallery on the history of the town of Issy-les-Moulineaux in the Pavillon Conti
- Founded
- 1981
- Operated by
- Ville d'Issy-les-Moulineaux
- Visitors per year
- approx. 28,695
Admission & discounts
| Adults | €4.50 |
|---|---|
| Reduced | €3 |
| Children & teens | freefree up to age 25 · Free admission for visitors under 26. |
| Groups | –Groups of up to 30 people, including accompanying adults. Guided tour with a lecturer: €125 conference fee in addition to the individual reduced admission. |
| School or after-school guided tour (outside Issy) | €60Free for groups from Issy-les-Moulineaux. |
| Guided tour and school workshop (outside Issy) | €100Free for groups from Issy-les-Moulineaux. |
| Magic show (residents outside Issy and GPSO) | €8€6 for residents of Issy-les-Moulineaux and GPSO. |
| Family escape game (residents outside Issy and GPSO) | €8€6 for residents of Issy-les-Moulineaux and GPSO; sessions on Sundays. |
| Children’s birthday from age 7 or 8 (package, outside Issy and GPSO) | €160€125 for residents of Issy-les-Moulineaux and GPSO. |
Free admission: First Sunday of every month
The prices shown are the lowest and are reserved for residents of Issy-les-Moulineaux and of the Grand Paris Seine Ouest (GPSO) group of municipalities: €4.50 full price and €3 reduced rate. For other visitors, the full price is €6 and the reduced rate is €4.50. The audio guide is free. This information dates from before the closure for works.
Accessibility
The museum is closed for works; reopening is announced for early 2028.
Kids & families
Great for kids & families
| Kids’ admission | free up to age 25 |
|---|
- Family tours & workshops
- Kids’ birthday parties
Family escape game from age 7 (teams of 3 to 6 people, under one hour), magic shows, and children’s birthdays from age 7 or 8 with a workshop and treasure hunt. These offers were running before the closure for works; they will resume when the museum reopens.
Getting there & parking
By public transit
Mairie d'Issy (métro ligne 12) · 200 m
Metro line 12 (Mairie d’Issy stop, 200 m); RER C (Issy and Val-de-Seine stops); T2 tram (Val-de-Seine stop); buses 123, 126, 169, 189, 190, 289, 290, 323 and Tuvim.
Amenities & dining
The museum is closed for works; reopening is announced for early 2028.
Events & venue rental
- Spaces for rent
- Private parties
- Corporate events
Up to 375 guests.
Spaces for hire from €333.40 for up to 375 people; options include magic performances, a private visit or discovering a card game. Information at 01 41 23 83 60.
Inquiries & detailsPlan your visit
| Guided tours | yes |
|---|---|
| Audio guide | yes |
| School programs | yes |
| Good to know | Before the closure: free audio guide, guided tours for groups with a lecturer, magic shows, and art history courses held on two Wednesdays a month from September to June, by reservation. Reservations at 01 41 23 83 60. |
