Musée de l'Air

Well I made it there eventually after dodging a train strike on one day! Great museum. Lots of roadworks outside at the moment but that didn’t upset anything.

Thanks for the info/travel advice which worked out perfect – after I found the bus stop (there was a market on outside the rail station which kind of wrapped itself around all the bus stops!)

The early days collection was as everyone says – splendid and in the original 1930s airport building which was interesting in its self

Yes I wish I could speak/read French better due to the aircraft info boards – many boards also have a picture of the aircraft as you see it in the museum – which was a bit weird and pointless.

The models were fascinating and immaculate.

I thought the WW2 stuff would be wider ranging but the B26 made up for that!

The Concorde x2 was well done but I was slightly spooked by the cutaway bits on the inside of the 747 – hmmm doesn’t look strong enough!! (glad I was on Eurostar!) – a nice newly painted Canadair 215 outside in the sun too.

I’ve yet to go through my pics but there was an IGN Hurel-Dubois HD-34 parked up with a few other aircraft on the other side of the airfield which looked interesting!.

They have just opened a new cafe although i didn’t check it out so I sat with about 2000 school children outside with my packed lunch! The weird thing was that inside the museum halls (other than in the Concorde hall) there did not appear to by anyone there! – where did they all go??…….

Not aviation related but transport related all the same! – It’s the first time I have been to St Pancras station since its remodel – a truly amazing difference. The Barlow train shed looks stunning and the undercroft has finally been put to good use (well you could argue that the original use for storing beer was just as good!) – a great mix of the old and new in my book

Richb

Musee de l’Air has been on my list for some time, here are my instructions to myself as to how to get to it
Take Metro line 7 to “La Courneuve” then take bus 152 and get off at Musee de l’Air. Zone 3
Note Zone 3 is similar to our tube zones so you need a ticket to cover you that far out. When I stay in Paris I use the Paris Visite 5 day ticket which covers Zones 1 to 3, the normal tickets only take you to the end of the metro system.
Here is the 152 route plan
http://www.ratp.info/picts/plans/gif/bus_banlieue/100/152.gif

Thanks everyone so far – great info!

avion ancien – yes would love to look futher but on this trip I have only got three days and we are restricted to Paris do to a conference!

Excellent Museum

Was there at beginning of June

Entrance is FREE, but there are are charges for the following:

The Concorde(S),

DC-3 (C-47?)

Boeing 747 (100?)

about 7 Euro’s each

AS others have stated the info/cards are scarce, but the exhibits speak for themselves

As Museum is next to the Business Terminal, the whiff of burnt Kero/jet is quite evocative on touring the external exhibits

I used the on site bistro for an acceptable Plat du Jour (2 courses + drink & coffee) at 19 Euro’s

Remember plenty of film/disc space & battery life!!!

PZULBA – Out of Africa (Retired)

Paris Air Museums

There is also a Musee Air France with a shop at the Aerogare Des Invalides, rue Esnault-Pelterie 75007 Paris but I’m not clear how much is accessible to the public as there is a membership system in place…anyone know about it?
There is also an open air display on a corner of Orly which you can probably find on Google Maps/Earth

Yes, Monday is closing day. But fortunately on the rest of the days of the week it is open from 10.00 to 18.00 heures (April to September) and does not close for lunch. It’s well worth a visit and making enough time not to have to rush through the galleries. But if you have the time – or maybe next time you visit France – do remember that there are some superb museums and collections elsewhere in the country.

A Taster

Here is a taster of some WW2 aircraft that are on display at the museum

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HrlK38XwP0o

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xmemrqgUsvc

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=azn178-8YJk

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZhKWaY62X0E

Just don’t go on a Monday. Unless things have changed, it is firmly Ferme.

As I found out while at La Ferte Alais a month ago… 🙁

T J

If you are a real planes enthusiast, allow a day for the Musee de l’Aire.

Best way there is via the 350 bus which leaves from the street opposite the Gare de l’Est.

Can’t remember if the museum caff has terrible food or if it doesn’t even exist, but there are plenty of small establishments on the main road opposite the museum where you can get a snack and a verre or two of wine. The Musee front desk seems relaxed about visitors popping out for lunch than coming back and waving their admission ticket.

The Arts et Metiers can indeed be described as being what the Science Museum used to be before it was converted into an amusement arcade.

Paris also has a science museum at La Villette – easy to get to by metro. Not as old-fashioned as Arts et Metiers but good fun. It has a Mirage IV on display – can’t remember what else.

Musee de l’Air is one of the top museums – recommended.

Also is there anything else aviationworthy which I need to see while in Paris 😎

I’d suggest the Musee de Arts et Metiers. I was keen to rush straight to Bleriot’s Bleriot of Channel fame, as well as Adler’s Eole, but Mrs JDK and I had a great half day there looking at all the neat stuff. It’s like the Science Museum used to be – glass and polished wood cases with intricate models and artefacts.

http://www.arts-et-metiers.net/?lang=ang

My favourite aviation museum. Returned there last year with my 13yo son. We were both in WW1 mode and I totally argee with slow’n’low. The only problem I found was a lack of information on the display boards. Would like to have known of their history or which were genuine and which were replica or reproductions. So I suggest you do some homework before you go, so you know what you are looking at.

If I’ve managed to attach a photo you will be able to see the display board for a DH9 with what I’m sure is a SE5a illustrated

http://forum.keypublishing.co.uk/album.php?albumid=188&pictureid=1151

I assume this is where the french are looking to fire up one of there concords

Excellent museum. Their collection of early and WW1 aeroplanes is stunning, as are the inter-war French types, and their two Concordes.

Just don’t go on a Monday. Unless things have changed, it is firmly Ferme.