Cite de la Musique, Paris

Cite de la Musique is located in Paris at Metro station: Porte de Pantin. You cannot miss the stop because the station is decorated with mosaics of musical notes.

The great thing about this museum is that they provide earphones through which you can listen to a commentary at every section, together with a recording of music played on the actual instruments in the cases.

The sheer scope of the collection is astounding. If you are a student or lover of music, I suggest you spend at least half a day there.

I uploaded a few photos of the marvellous collection of antique western instruments showing their evolution to modern ones. There is a section with unusual instruments as well as Oriental and African instruments. One panel illustrated the evolution of musical notation.

My pet instrument, the oboe, has a case to itself. The photo next to it shows the tools used to make oboe reeds.

The next photo shows a really special extra-large double-bass with pedals...... all you double-bassists out there - what do you think?