Musée du Barreau de Paris

The Musée du Barreau de Paris is a legal history museum in the 1st arrondissement housed in the vaulted cellars of a historic mansion. The collection contains records from major trials, portraits of renowned lawyers, and documents about the development of the French legal system.

The museum was founded in 1983 to preserve documents from major French trials spanning several centuries. The collection ranges from French Revolution proceedings to modern legal cases and shows how justice has evolved over time.

The collection displays how prominent French lawyers documented their work and beliefs through paintings and handwritten records. You can see how attorneys in earlier times preserved their cases and personal convictions.

The museum is located in a quiet part of the 1st arrondissement and operates mainly on weekends, making it an ideal stop during a stroll. The underground rooms can be cool, so it is wise to bring a light jacket.

The building was once the residence of a wealthy merchant from the 17th century, whose name still lives in the street address today. This unexpected connection between commerce and law shows how the use of these spaces has changed over centuries.

Location: 1st arrondissement of Paris

Official opening: 1983

Opening Hours: Saturday-Sunday 10:00-17:00

Website: https://museedubarreaudeparis.com

GPS coordinates: 48.86405,2.34507

Latest update: December 14, 2025 12:21