When you have seen the Louvre and the Musee D'Orsay, when you have even done the Marmatton and the Picasso is closed for another year at least, and when it is raining in Paris, one place that is both manageable and eclectic is the Musee D'Arts Decoratifs. It is a French national musuem, located at 107 rue de Rivoli. The entrance is on the north (non-river) side of the Louvre, between the archway to the Carrousel and the Jardins des Tuileries (best Metro stop is Palais Royal-Musee du Louvre). Entrance fee is currently 9 Euros for adults, discounts for older folks and free for people under 25 with ID.

 There are 4 different museums under the umbrella of the musuem of decorative arts. The namesake is for anyone interested in interior design from the middle ages to to day. Then there is the Museum of Fashion and Textiles, which includes donations from major designers. Finally,under the same roof is the museum of advertising. The fourth collection is from a single collector, Moise de Camondo and is housed in his private villa north of the main museum.

These can be overwhelming in their sumptuousness and breadth, but you can also go just for the special exhibitions. Currently, until May 9 are two that warrant attention. The first is 4 or 5 rooms of the toy Playmobil, in all its detail. The second is of films, posters and ads for humanitarian and non-profit causes, from Doctors without Borders to cleaning up after your dog. In the nave until July 4, 2010 are life-size animal sculptures by the Lalannes. Until November 30, 2010 is an exhibition of how the animal has been used in decoration, from dishes to toys. 

You can also visit the two rooms that show jewelry design from the 18th century to the present day.

It was uncrowded, unhurried, interesting, digestible and unique. Not bad for a rainy day in Paris.