The Louvre. The Musée d’Orsay. The Musée Rodin. The Picasso. Paris is without a doubt, a museum city. For those who love art, the city is full of choice. Which is where visitors run into problems from time to time. With so much to see in other words, where to spend your precious time in the peerless capital of France?

Allow us then, to complicate your Paris itinerary with some of the most unusual and under-the-radar museums in the city.

Musée Français de la Carte à Jouer

A museum dedicated solely to decks of cards? Yes, believe it or not. Located in a former royal chateau in the Issy-les-Moulineaux district, the Musée Français de la Carte à Jouer actually won 1999 European Museum of the Year Award and features over 9,000 exhibition objects.

Musée de la Contrefaçon

The Musée de la Contrefaçon, or Counterfeit Museum, is a hidden gem of the 16th arrondissement of Paris. Though the neighborhood contains Roland Garros and the Bois de Boulogne, try to make some time for this truly specific, yet exceptional, museum.

Tenniseum

While in the 16th, stop by the Tenniseum at Roland Garros, home of the French Open of course. As one of the venerable cradles of tennis lore, even the most casual fans of the game will appreciate the exhibits on display at this pre-eminent sports museum.

Musée Galliera

Also known as the Musée de la Mode de la Ville de Paris, the Galliera is another quiet jewel of the 16th. As a world capital of fashion, one would expect Paris to have some kind of museum devoted to textiles and the evolution of costumes and fashion. The Galliera certainly delivers the goods in that regard.

Musée du Parfum

Perfume, another Paris staple, is well represented at the superb and odorous Fragonard Musée du Parfum. Located in a former manor built by Napoleon III, the 9th arrondissement landmark is quite distinct from other museums in the city.

Musée de la Curiosité et de la Magie

For those who require some persuasion to make a special trip to the 4th arrondissement’s Musée de la Curiosité et de la Magie (Museum of Curiosity and Magic), check this out: the space sits in the 16th century cellars below the former estate of the Marquis de Sade.

Maxim’s Art Nouveau “Collection 1900″

Maxim’s was already an iconic restaurant brand before Pierre Cardin bought it in 1981. With locations in places like Monaco, Tokyo and Shanghai, the name is synonymous with fine French cuisine. Even if you choose not to eat at the 8th arrondissement landmark, check out the fabulous private Art Nouveau gallery above the restaurant.

Museum of Wine

Wine and Paris. What a match indeed. If time or money will not permit you to explore the wine routes of France, from Alsace to Bordeaux, Loire Valley to Languedoc, check out the Museum of Wine in Paris.

Musée des Arts et Métiers

Readers of Umberto Eco will be familiar with the Musée des Arts et Métiers. The world class science, machine and technology museum was the backdrop for Foucault’s Pendulum and features of course, one of the original creations of physicist Léon Foucault. All in all, a great museum.

Musée de l’Éventail

The lovely 10th arrondissement of Paris is where many take their first steps in the city. The Gare du Nord and Gare de l’Est make it one of the most congested districts in the city. One place to escape the crowds is the wonderful little Musée de l’Éventail, or Fan Museum.

Museum of Eroticism

With a rather appropriate location next to Moulin Rouge, the Museum of Eroticism is another fine tribute to one of the French capital’s chief exports.

Paris Sewer Museum

By far our favorite unusual museum in Paris, if not the world, the Sewer Museum, or Musée des Égouts, takes visitors deep under the city for a tactile tour of history. No other metropolis in the world has a network of sewers like Paris, as readers of Les Misérables will well remember. As a result, the Sewer Museum is a memorable, if not slightly creepy, experience.

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