Grevin Museum

The first wax figures appeared in Paris during the late 18 th century. During the “Belle Epoque”, the capital of the world was in the spotlight booming with famous people, events and ideas.

Thanks to the journalist Arthur Meyer who had a brillant idea to create a wax museum in Paris in 1881 to be able to share with his contemporains in 3-dimension, the famous people who passed through. The Museum was built by the architect Esnault-Pelterie and inaugurated on June 5, 1882 at 10, boulevard Monmartre. Arthur Meyer confided to the designer/cartoonist Alfred Grévin, the realization of the famous characters of his time. At this time there was neither the movies nor the photo reports presenting Meyer and Grevin as striking. The press did not wait to print: “the ressemblance is perfect and extraordinaire” wrote the Moniteur Universel. The success came fast, and the visitors were extremely enthusiastic to discover the wax statues.

Mr. Gabriel Thomas, financier, took the museum and developped it to what it is today, a conservatory of history. From 1883, he has been succeeded by 4 generations. Today, Bernard-Gabriel Thomas follows in his footsteps.

This museum is the first privately owned french museum.