An Enchanted Christmas at the Musée des Arts Forains
Every December, the Musée des Arts Forains opens its doors to the public for the Festival du Merveilleux — one of the most singular Christmas experiences anywhere in Paris. Set within a beautifully preserved Belle Époque fairground, jugglers, acrobats, musicians and fantastical characters transform the museum into a living dreamworld. A genuinely timeless experience that captivates children and adults alike — and one of the most extraordinary ways to discover the spirit of Christmas in the French capital.
The Musée des Arts Forains: One of Paris's Most Unusual Venues
Nestled within the Pavillons de Bercy in the 12th arrondissement, the Musée des Arts Forains is one of the most remarkable and little-known venues in Paris. It houses one of the world's most important collections of antique fairground attractions — carousels, painted horses, fairground games, vintage vehicles and automata drawn from European travelling fairs of the 19th and early 20th centuries.
The museum is typically open only to private group bookings. The Festival du Merveilleux is therefore one of the very few opportunities for the general public to step inside this extraordinary world and experience it as a fully immersive, participatory event.
The quality of the collection and the singular atmosphere of the venue make this one of the most memorable cultural outings of the Parisian winter — whether you are discovering it for the first time or returning as a regular visitor.
What You Will Experience at the Festival
Throughout the festival, the museum becomes a living theatre. Costumed performers wander among visitors, impromptu street performances burst into life in the aisles, musicians play period instruments, and original fairground rides allow guests to step back in time to the heart of the 19th century.
Children are particularly enchanted by the vintage rides and games they can operate themselves, as well as by encounters with festival characters that create a genuinely immersive and participatory fairy-tale atmosphere.
For adults, it is an invitation to rediscover a sense of wonder in a setting of exceptional visual and heritage richness — a moment of lightness and poetry that is genuinely rare in the middle of a Parisian winter.
Why the Festival du Merveilleux Is a Must-See in December
In a city with no shortage of December cultural events, the Festival du Merveilleux stands apart entirely. There is no comparable experience in Paris — or anywhere else in Europe — that combines fairground heritage, live performance and immersive atmosphere in a venue this perfectly preserved.
It is also one of the few December family outings that genuinely captivates every age group simultaneously — from the youngest children to grandparents — in a context of shared and authentic wonder.
Booking in advance is strongly recommended — the festival regularly sells out, particularly at weekends and during school holiday periods.
Getting There from Hôtel 15 Montparnasse
From Hôtel 15 Montparnasse, the Musée des Arts Forains is reachable by metro in around twenty minutes. The Pavillons de Bercy in the 12th arrondissement are easily accessible from the Montparnasse neighbourhood via the Paris metro network.
After an evening at the Festival du Merveilleux, return to the comfort of Hôtel 15 Montparnasse's rooms and accommodation — an ideal base for enjoying Paris during the festive season in calm and elegant surroundings.
Staying in Paris in December 2026? Book your stay at Hôtel 15 Montparnasse and use it as your perfect base for discovering the most unique events of the Parisian holiday season — including the Festival du Merveilleux.
Belle Époque sets, enchanting performers and a fairy-tale atmosphere — the Festival du Merveilleux 2026 is the most singular Christmas experience Paris has to offer.
