This quirky museum is usually only open upon request for groups, but for the holidays this year they are open to all, every day. A magical place to discover…If you managed to attend the giant funfair called Jours de Fête at the  Grand Palais last year (or the previous edition 5 years ago) you may know that the event was co-organised by the Musée des Arts Forains (funfair arts museum), a place which tries to promote and preserve the travelling fairs of old. BAck then, the attractions were made of wood, the music came from organs powered by hand, and the prices were almost certainly much lower!

If you’re nostalgic for the era, but not organised enough to arrange a group visit in advance, now’s the time to get down there; for a couple of weeks, the museum is open to all, every day until 2nd January 2011, and you can turn up at any time you please. It’s a rare chance to see the delicate work that went into fairground rides back in the day. Four exhibition spaces, 6 cristal candelabras, 350 rainbow-coloured fir trees and 8.560Xmas lights await you. Enough to melt even the most cynical of hearts, no doubt.The Musée des Arts Forains (here) is open every day until 2nd January 2011 from 10am – 6pm.

Admission 10€/5€.

Official site (in French): www.arts-forains.comphotos : Musée des Arts Forains