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All Monaco Monaco Automatons and Dolls of Yesteryear
Automatons and Dolls of Yesteryear is permanently closed.

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

Automatons and Dolls of Yesteryear

Thousands of costumed dolls fill one of the world's creepiest museums.

Monaco, Monaco

Added By
Laura Edeen
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  http://www.flickr.com/photos/23097960@N04/...
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About

Organized by Madeleine de Galea during the 19th century, the Automatons and Dolls of Yesteryear collection at the Monaco National Museum has been called one of the creepiest in the world. Exhibits inside of the Charles Garnier-designed villa include a seemingly endless display of costumed characters in beautiful clothes displayed alongside miniature household items.

Originally stored in de Galea's personal mansion, the collection grew so fast she was forced to purchase the house next-door for extra storage space.

In addition to the thousands of period dolls, the museum houses a large collection of automatons. You can see the intricate wind-up creations at any time during the museum's regular hours, but if you sign up for a tour, the guide will likely activate many of the pieces. Some of the dolls double as automatons, breathing, sighing and playing the piano.

Outside of the museum, visitors can enjoy a rose and sculpture garden.

Related Tags

Museums And Collections Automata Museums Dolls Collections Miniatures

Know Before You Go

From the train station, take the 4 bus toward Saint- Romain. Stop at Place des Moulins and tale the elevator down to Avenue Princesse Grace.

Community Contributors

Added By

Facebook1513682660

Edited By

nbj914, designswarm

  • nbj914
  • designswarm

Published

August 9, 2010

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Sources
  • The Worldwide Traveler: Welcome to Monaco: http://www.theworldwidetraveler.com/destinations/europe/monaco/
  • HotelClub Travel Blog: "The Five Creepiest Museums on Earth" (April 2009): http://blog.hotelclub.com/creepiest-museums/
  • Monte Carlo Museums: http://www.monte-carlo.world-guides.com/monte_carlo_museums.html
  • Maps of World Travel Portal: National Museum of Automatons and Dolls of Yesteryear: http://travel.mapsofworld.com/monaco/fontvieille-tourist-attractions/national-museum-of-automatons-and-doll-of-yesteryear.html
Automatons and Dolls of Yesteryear
17 Avenue Princesse Grace
Monaco, 98000
Monaco
43.744373, 7.431269
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