The Pavillons de Bercy in Paris
The Pavillons de Bercy are completely restored original wine cellars from the Bercy area of Paris that now hold a fairground museum in Paris called the Musee des Arts Forains and they also play host to corporate events and private functions.
About the Pavillons de Bercy
The Pavillons de Bercy were originally wine cellars dating from the 19th century and through old records, photographs and documentation, these were painstakingly restored fully to their original state by the architect Jean Michel Willmotte.
Covering an area of 1.5 hectares the Pavillons de Bercy comprises of around 10,000 square metres of premises, of which around 5,000 square metres have been designed in such a way that they could accommodate corporate events, private functions, even filming and much more.
However, you will find there are also around 3,000 square metres of lovely paved courtyards and tree-lined streets with century old chestnut and plane trees that can also be utilised for special events.
And the Pavillons de Bercy have been designed as a cultural space within the Bercy area with the Parc de Bercy, the Bercy Village and the POPB all close by as well. Yet you cannot forget about the fairground museum that is also located within the buildings for something completely different and unusual when you visit this area whilst you are on holiday in Paris.
The Musee des Arts Forains
This is the private museum in Paris that was set up by Jean Paul Favand to display and let people enjoy the traditional and old style fun fair and fairground attractions like a carrousel that you can even ride, plus there are thousands of old, yet fully restored objects on display.
And from a person aged 7 up to 70, there will be something for everyone to enjoy at the Musee des Arts Forains, whether it be a German swing, merry-go-round, a painted horse in this unique and world renowned collection of fairground arts.
Le Theatre du Merveilleux
The Theatre du Merveilleux translates generally to the Theatre of Marvels and is a fascinating place of illusions and dreams from the entertainment world, which was the latest addition to the Pavilions.
This was a logical step in taking a past form of entertainment from the late 19th century of the magic lantern to meet the generations of today and tomorrow by transforming this into sophisticated lighting techniques with a decor inspired by myths and fairytales.
Here you will be able to discover mechanical automated musical instruments and a really traditional game called the game of the unicorn, plus there is a video show utilising different projectors and spotlights to create an atmosphere that is completely unique in Europe.
Les Salons Venetiens
It is within this area that you can discover the world of carnivals, opera and entertainment and outside this area is an ornately decorated Piazza. Yet inside you feel like you are going to a small Venice with lagoon and its Venetian rides just like the procession of gondolas, along with a Baroque palace and exotic figurines that have been painstakingly restored.
In addition to this, there is a Venetian ballroom that has been reconstructed in an 18th century style for private and corporate functions, along with a ceiling covered in hanging antiques from the days of the marionette theatres.
Access to the Pavillons de Bercy
The Bercy pavilions are located in the 12th Arrondissement of Paris, which is in the eastern part of the city that is close to the River Seine and the Porte de Bercy and right by the Bercy Village and close to the impressive Parc de Bercy.
When it comes to the public transport in Paris you could utilise the Metro known as the Meteor, which is the fast metro train in Paris, and you would need the stop called the Cour Saint-Emilion serving line 14. Yet the bus number 24 along with the Noctilien Night Bus Service via Line N32 will also get you to the Pavillons de Bercy.
However, there are also other options within walking distance that will get you close by and to the rest of the Bercy area with its shopping park, the AccorHotels Arena stadium, etc, which include the Metro station called the Bercy stop serving Lines 6 and 14, along with the Bus lines 64, 87, 109, 111 and 325 plus the Noctilien night buses on lines N35 and N130.
Yet if you are travelling to or from Paris via train, then the nearest RER train station is located on the opposite bank of the River Seine, which is called the Bibliotheque Francois-Mitterrand stop that serves the RER C line.
