Coffre à jouer

The toy department at the Musée des Arts Décoratifs is celebrating its 40th anniversary with an exhibition of more than 300 toys from its collection. Selected ‘for their aesthetic value as well as their cultural and social significance’, the department’s trove includes everything from an 18th century silver rattle to superhero figurines. All the childhood staples are there: toy soldiers, teddy bears, dining sets, dice, blocks, Barbies and bowling pins. And for playing make-believe, you’ll find costumes corresponding to almost every imaginable life choice, including doctor, fireman, postman, florist, grocer, craftsman, cook and even bishop.

Early development toys are also on display, as well as a plethora of miniature cars, boats and planes, construction sets and all the cult objects and idols of childhoods past: Goldorak, Popeye, Inspector Gadget, Tintin, Pinocchio, Hulk, Spiderman, Piglet and so on. As Baudelaire wrote, 'the toy is the child's first initiation into art.'

There’s also a little corner where you can build your own board game or watch some truly awful French toy commercials. The museum also offers workshops for children, more information (in French) can be found here.