Trips Places Foods Stories Newsletters

Take your next trip with Atlas Obscura!

Our small-group adventures are inspired by our Atlas of the world's most fascinating places, the stories behind them, and the people who bring them to life.

Visit Adventures
Trips Highlight
Macchu Picchu
Peru • 10 days, 9 nights
Peru: Machu Picchu & the Last Incan Bridges
from
Central Asia yurt night stars
Uzbekistan • 15 days, 14 nights
Central Asia Road Trip: Backroads & Bazaars
from
View all trips
Top Destinations
Latest Places
Most Popular Places Random Place Lists Itineraries
Add a Place
Download the App
Top Destinations
View All Destinations »

Countries

  • Australia
  • Canada
  • China
  • France
  • Germany
  • India
  • Italy
  • Japan

Cities

  • Amsterdam
  • Barcelona
  • Beijing
  • Berlin
  • Boston
  • Budapest
  • Chicago
  • London
  • Los Angeles
  • Mexico City
  • Montreal
  • Moscow
  • New Orleans
  • New York City
  • Paris
  • Philadelphia
  • Rome
  • San Francisco
  • Seattle
  • Stockholm
  • Tokyo
  • Toronto
  • Vienna
  • Washington, D.C.
Latest Places
View All Places »
Saquon Barkley Plaque
Kirkkasik Bedesten inside
Kirkkasik Bedesten
Someshwar Temple
Someshwar Temple
Grilled cheese and tomato soup are soulmates.
The Palisades Restaurant
Latest Places to Eat & Drink
View All Places to Eat »
A skeleton on display contemplating its own mortality.
Kid Mai Death Awareness Cafe
This classic London pub has a surprising history behind it.
John Snow
The beef, Guinness, and oyster pie sports a rich, flaky crust.
The Guinea
Welcome to one of the only floating pubs in the world.
Tamesis Dock
This may be the oldest pie in the world.
St Helens 'Oldest Pie' at The Turks Head
Recent Stories
All Stories Video Podcast
Most Recent Stories
View All Stories »
Decoy’s wines reflect the terroir of California.
How a Wooden Duck Migrated From the California Wetlands to a Wine Label
13 days ago
There’s more to the French capital than the Eiffel Tower.
Dear Atlas: What Are Some Non-Touristy Things to Do in Paris?
16 days ago
The plants around Liz Dauncey in this photo are not poisonous, but many common garden and houseplants are.
Are Some of Your Favorite Houseplants Poisonous? AO Wants to Know.
23 days ago
“There may be a collective sense of a dark loneliness,” Dahl says, referring to Norway’s natural landscape.
In Norway, Easter Means Tucking Into Crime Stories
23 days ago

No search results found for
“”

Make sure words are spelled correctly.

Try searching for a travel destination.

Places near me Random place

Popular Destinations

  • Paris
  • London
  • New York
  • Berlin
  • Rome
  • Los Angeles
Trips Places Foods Stories Newsletters
Sign In Join
Places near me Random place
All France Paris Museum of Eroticism
Museum of Eroticism is permanently closed.

This entry remains in the Atlas as a record of its history, but it is no longer accessible to visitors.

Museum of Eroticism

Inside a former cabaret, seven floors of erotic art.

Paris, France

Added By
Madiha Bataineh
Email
Been Here
Want to go
Added to list
A miniature erotic scene   Solar
A miniature erotic scene   Solar
  http://www.musee-erotisme.com/
Been Here
Want to go
Added to list

About

As a diversion from Paris' more serious renowned sights is Paris' Erotic Museum. Housed in a former cabaret, the museum fills seven floors with erotic art and artifacts from Europe, the Americas, Asia, and Africa.

An exhibition of the most... noble nature, the exhibitions display sexuality's trends throughout history and space. The museum features four permanent exhibitions and a number of temporary shows. Among the curious exhibits are early 20th century silent porn movies in black and white.

Containing relics dating back from prehistoric times to the present day, the museum's "Sacred Art" collection demonstrates the way in which humankind has honored the "miracle of life." Throughout the continents, fecundity and fertility, which immortalize life, have given rise to the existence of cults dedicated to worshiping the forces of reproduction. These idols, amulets, masks, and other ceremonial objects have been modeled, sculpted, painted, or engraved, and and now featured for the public's eye.

The second floor of the museum is dedicated to a collection of rare documents, photos, and drawings linked to prostitution in Paris' brothels, covering the period from the end of the 19th century until 1946 (when these establishments were closed down). This section has been of special interest to artists in need of some inspiration.

The "Contemporary Art" collection reflects the 20th century's liberation of self-consciousness regarding the body and sex.

Dealing with the recreational aspects of sexuality, the museum's collection of "Popular Art," often engaging satire, serves the purpose of de-dramatizing many popularized taboos.

Related Tags

Museums And Collections Collections Lost Wonders

Know Before You Go

Metro stop Blanche; bus routes 30, 54, 74, 80, 9.Permanently closed: http://www.rfi.fr/france/20161105-fermeture-musee-erotisme-paris

Community Contributors

Added By

Madiha Bataineh

Edited By

OldEarlGreg

  • OldEarlGreg

Published

September 27, 2010

Edit this listing

Make an Edit
Add Photos
Sources
  • Trip Advisor: Museum of Eroticism: http://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g187147-d190983-Reviews-Museum_of_Eroticism_Musee_de_l_Erotisme-Paris_Ile_de_France.html
  • Paris Erotic Museum: 7 Floors of Erotic Art: http://www.parislogue.com/planning-a-trip/paris-erotic-museum.html
  • Wikipedia: Museum of Eroticism: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Museum_of_Eroticism
Museum of Eroticism
72, Boulevard de Clichy
Paris, 75018
France
48.883582, 2.333773
Visit Website
Get Directions

Nearby Places

Musée de la Vie Romantique

Paris, France

miles away

Montmartre Cemetery

Paris, France

miles away

Fourier's Fourth Apple

Paris, France

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Paris

Paris

France

Places 204
Stories 41

Nearby Places

Musée de la Vie Romantique

Paris, France

miles away

Montmartre Cemetery

Paris, France

miles away

Fourier's Fourth Apple

Paris, France

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Paris

Paris

France

Places 204
Stories 41

Related Places

  • Brooklyn, New York

    Morbid Anatomy Library & Giftshop

    A library and shop devoted to the body, mortality, and bringing to light forgotten or neglected histories

  • Neuhausen, Germany

    Nussknackermuseum Neuhausen

    Home to the world's largest collection of nutcrackers.

  • This plush velvet holds a series of spoons from Great Britain.

    Davenport, Iowa

    Mississippi Spoon Gallery

    More than 10,000 spoons, some more than a century old, are gathered here.

  • Silverare

    Weyburn, Saskatchewan

    Soo Line Historical Museum

    The museum showcases the largest private silver collection in Canada, featuring 3,333 pieces.

  • Imperial peachblow glass is visually striking.

    Bellaire, Ohio

    National Imperial Glass Museum

    Collectors keep the story of Ohio Valley glassmaking alive.

  • Bentside Spinet

    Manchester, England

    RNCM Collection of Historic Musical Instruments

    Over 300 historical instruments from around the world can be found in the Royal Northern College of Music's basement.

  • Coins from all over the world are represented here.

    Berlin, Germany

    Berlin Coin Cabinet

    One of the largest numismatic collections in Europe fell victim to a huge theft.

  • The Hat Museum is located inside a former Church of God building.

    Forrest, Illinois

    Jerry's Hat Museum

    Thousands of hats, pens, and pencils, hanging inside the walls of a former church.

Aerial image of Vietnam, displaying the picturesque rice terraces, characterized by their layered, verdant fields.
Atlas Obscura Membership

Become an Atlas Obscura Member


Join our community of curious explorers.

Become a Member

Get Our Email Newsletter

Follow Us

Facebook YouTube TikTok Instagram Pinterest RSS Feed

Get the app

Download the App
Download on the Apple App Store Get it on Google Play
  • All Places
  • Latest Places
  • Most Popular
  • Places to Eat
  • Random
  • Nearby
  • Add a Place
  • Stories
  • Food & Drink
  • Itineraries
  • Lists
  • Video
  • Podcast
  • Newsletters
  • All Trips
  • Family Trip
  • Food & Drink
  • History & Culture
  • Wildlife & Nature
  • FAQ
  • Membership
  • Feedback & Ideas
  • Community Guidelines
  • Product Blog
  • Unique Gifts
  • Work With Us
  • About
  • FAQ
  • Advertise With Us
  • Advertising Guidelines
  • Privacy Policy
  • Cookie Policy
  • Terms of Use
Atlas Obscura

© 2025 Atlas Obscura. All Rights Reserved.