Such fragile beauty existed here. The Mus\u00e9e de la Poup\u00e9e once stood here. It was a private doll museum. It resided in the 3rd arrondissement. The address was Impasse Berthaud near 22 rue Beaubourg. That was in Paris.
The Mus\u00e9e de la Poup\u00e9e was established in 1994. Sadly it closed its doors in September 2017. For many years it housed a collection of over 500 French dolls. These dolls spanned a period from about 1800 to the present.
The dolls were crafted from various materials. Bisque, composition, cloth and rubber were used. Celluloid and plastic were also featured. Exhibits included scale-model furniture. Accessories and toys from corresponding periods completed the scenes. One room was dedicated to doll-making. It showcased materials used in their creation. The museum also held temporary exhibits and lectures.
Guido and Samy Odin were the passionate collectors. They created the museum. They were father and son. The Mus\u00e9e de la Poup\u00e9e never received state or private funding. Financial difficulties arose. This was due to decreased visitors after the 2015 attacks. The premises also needed updating.
Samy Odin decided not to relocate the museum. Instead he chose to focus on antique doll expertise. The museum’s closure meant the loss of a unique Parisian institution. Claire Favot expressed sadness at its end. She had been involved since the beginning.
Before its closing the museum sold items. Clothes, cards and books were sold. Some dolls were also sold. Museum furniture like counters and display cases were available. The last day was September 15. The shop closed on September 23.
The Mus\u00e9e de la Poup\u00e9e displayed dolls in original settings. These settings were created by Italian artist Gi\u00f2 Golia. The displays showed the history of dolls in France.
The Mus\u00e9e de la Poup\u00e9e showed dolls’ functions. They were children’s toys and educational tools. They were decorative objects and fashion statements. The dolls showed feminine, children and baby silhouettes.
Different materials showed technological changes. Wood transitioned to wax. Bisque moved to papier mach\u00e9. Celluloid and plastic became common.
Educational tours were offered. These tours focused on doll-making. There were storytelling events. Drawing competitions and workshops also took place. It was a place of wonder. It was a place of education. It is a shame the Mus\u00e9e de la Poup\u00e9e is no longer here.