A guided tour in the footsteps of the Menier family in Paris: private mansions and hidden museum

You are probably familiar with the Menier family, which has left its mark on the history of the chocolate industry, notably by owning the largest chocolate factory in the world in the 19th century. The biggest French industrial fortune of its time, this family forged a real dynasty over several decades, and left us an exceptional architectural heritage in the capital. Head for the Parc Monceau area, during a historical guided tour, to discover the family's beautiful and sumptuous homes from the outside, as well as a small curiosity, hidden in one of the mansions, which is really worth a visit!

Don't be disappointed if you can't visit the interior, unfortunately there are no vestiges of the past left in most of the hotels. But in the one of Gaston Menier, the grandson of the patriarch, you will find the most hidden museum of Paris, the one of the Pharmacy, which opens its doors to you on the occasion of this visit! And what luck, we were able to save the heritage that is there, with an exceptional facade and a solid wood staircase.

By following in the footsteps of the Menier family, you can enjoy a real journey through time, to the heart of the second half of the 19th century. A walk close to the buildings, in the most popular district of the time, where the patriarch of the family, Jean Antoine Brutus Menier, his son Emile-Justin, and his grandsons Gaston and Henri built superb neo-Renaissance style mansions overlooking the Parc Monceau. Henri Parent, a renowned architect, built a large part of them, notably 8 rue Alfred de Vigny, with its appearance of a Loire castle and its slate roof.

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Your visit of almost 2 hours will lead you to Gaston Meunier's residence, where you will be able to admire the vestiges of the time when he lived there. The interior courtyard is remarkable with its Norman-Moorish style, unique in the capital, made of half-timbering and oriental decorations. As a reminder of Gaston's love for the theater, we discover a monumental staircase in black wood, decorated with superb golden mosaics, which represent the gods of Olympus! It is also here that the mysterious little museum is hidden, housing the headquarters of the National Order of Pharmacists since 1953. A wink to history since the founder of the Menier dynasty used to make medicines himself, and even health chocolates!

We won't tell you everything, we have to keep some surprises for this fascinating and privileged visit, immersed in the history of an incredible and very progressive family, ahead of its time, led by a passionate guide who will regale you with his anecdotes. And if you want to know more about the chocolate side of the dynasty, don't miss to visit theold Menier Chocolate Factory, in Noisiel!

The Musée de la Pharmacie, Paris' most hidden, unusual and free pharmacy - closed for renovation
In the heart of a private mansion near the Parc Monceau lies one of the capital's most discreet museums: the Pharmacy Museum! Here, you can discover, free of charge, the history of the site, which now houses the Ordre National des Pharmaciens and a number of unusual collections. Currently closed for renovation until May 2025. [Read more]