Most visitors to Paris head straight for the Louvre.

I didn't.

In this episode of Coffee Pot Conversations, I continue exploring some of Paris' most fascinating museums that quietly sit beyond the city's biggest attractions.

We begin at the remarkable Institut du Monde Arabe, an architectural masterpiece created to celebrate Arab culture, history and artistic achievement, before crossing the Seine to discover one of my favourite hidden museums in Paris—the Musée du Parfum Fragonard.

From the origins of perfume in Grasse to the extraordinary story behind Jean-Honoré Fragonard and his famous painting The Swing, we uncover how art, fragrance and Parisian culture have become intertwined over centuries.

Finally, we step into the spacious galleries of the Musée d'Art Moderne de Paris, where a work I believed to be by Piet Mondrian turned out to be something entirely different, proving that curiosity often matters far more than expertise.

If you're looking to experience Paris beyond the guidebooks, these museums deserve a place on your itinerary.

Perfect for listeners interested in:

Paris museums • Hidden Paris • Louvre alternatives • Musée du Parfum Fragonard • Institut du Monde Arabe • Musée d'Art Moderne de Paris • Perfume in Paris • Grasse • Jean-Honoré Fragonard • Wallace Collection • Paris culture • Paris history • Art history • Modern art • Paris travel • Coffee Pot Conversations

☕ Coffee Pot Conversations explores the hidden history, culture and everyday life of Paris through storytelling, personal experiences and carefully researched history.

Each episode encourages you to experience Paris as a visitor rather than a tourist, uncovering remarkable stories that many guidebooks overlook.

Introduction (00:24)

News (04:16)

Coffee Pot Conversation (11:46)

Conclusion (25:45)

Coming Up (27:54)

Outro (29:08)