Sevres.science / Sèvres, the place
Science Travel
In a nutshell
The BIPM is a working institute, not a museum, so the story of measurement is best followed on a short route: from Sèvres and the park of Saint-Cloud into Paris, where the story of the metre began and where early standards are on display.
We do not give opening hours or prices, because they change. Each card links to the official website.
Sèvres
Musée national de céramique
Part of Sèvres – Manufacture et Musée nationaux: nearly 50 000 works from all periods and all corners of the world, including pieces made on site. The museum grew out of the collection begun in 1824 by Alexandre Brongniart and has occupied its building on the Seine since 1876; some guided tours include the manufactory’s workshops.
Official websiteSaint-Cloud, next to Sèvres
Domaine national de Saint-Cloud
460 hectares of paths and woodland laid out by André Le Nôtre between 1660 and 1690, the Grande Cascade and a terrace with a view of Paris. The château burned in 1870, but a small historical museum tells its story. The Pavillon de Breteuil, seat of the BIPM, stands within the estate.
Official websiteParis
Musée des Arts et Métiers
The scientific instruments collection on the second floor tells the story of the metric system, from the uneven measures of old France to the metre, the litre and the kilogram. On display: a brass metre from 1800–1802.
Official websiteParis: 36 rue de Vaugirard and Place Vendôme
Marble standard metres
Two of the sixteen marble metres put up around Paris in 1796–1799 to teach the new measure. The one at 36 rue de Vaugirard is the only one still in its original place; the one on the façade of the Ministry of Justice on Place Vendôme was restored and reinstalled in 2021. Both can be seen from the street.
Official websiteParis
Observatoire de Paris
The Paris meridian, an arc of which Delambre and Méchain measured from Dunkirk to Barcelona to fix the first metre. A great meridian line runs across a hall on the Observatory's second floor. Check the Observatory's website for visits.
Official website
Sources
- Sèvres – Manufacture et Musée nationaux, A Museum of inspiration, checked 28 October 2026
- Visit Paris Region, Domaine national de Saint-Cloud, checked 28 October 2026
- BIPM, Pavillon de Breteuil, checked 28 October 2026
- Musée des Arts et Métiers, L’aventure du mètre, checked 28 October 2026
- Observatoire de Paris, 10 décembre 1799 : bicentenaire du système métrique décimal, checked 28 October 2026
- Observatoire de Paris, The Observatoire de Paris meridian, checked 28 October 2026
- Ministère de la Justice, Le mètre-étalon de la place Vendôme restauré et réinstallé, checked 28 October 2026
- Fondation Napoléon, Domaine national de Saint-Cloud: park and historical museum, checked 28 October 2026
- Sèvres – Manufacture et Musée nationaux, Discover the Museum, checked 28 October 2026
- European Route of Industrial Heritage, Sèvres – Ceramic City, checked 28 October 2026