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Cognacq-Jay Museum
the tale of a formidable couple


As the Marais churns, in the Hotel de Donon, a 15th century edifice— the Cognacq-Jay museum bears opulent portraits and stories. The museum’s collection was formed between 1900–1925 by Théodore-Ernest Cognacq (1839–1928) and his wife Marie-Louise Jay (1838–1925), founders of La Samaritaine department store.

Sigmund Freudenberg (1745-1801) The ribbons dealer

The collection at Cognacq-Jay museum embraces the opulence, luxury and austerity of 18th century France, and the intimate elegance is accentuated by the interior architecture. It is not simply a well-upholstered dainty and charming, as the museum’s 4 floors nestle period furniture and precious trinkets and object-des-arts, from porcelain to snuff boxes, bezel and toiletry sets, resonating the sense of sophistication and erudition.

Jean-Baptiste Greuze (1725 - 1805)Boy in a Red Waistcoat



The origin story of thecouple Ernest Cognacq and Marie-Louise Jaÿ is equally captivating—Paris wasn’t easy on them yet they forged their mark. The young Théodore-Ernest Cognacq
earned a living as an itinerant merchant in La Rochelle and Bordeaux. He moved to Paris, where he found work at a department store and met his future wife, Marie-Louise Jay. In 1867, he opened his own shop in the Marais on Rue Turbigo. It wasn’t a success, he went bankrupt and he decided to quit Paris altogether but not for too long. Ernest returned to the moveable feast and regrouped by working as a street hawker beneath Pont-Neuf and by the age of 30, he made it all work and the couple eventually succeeded in buying their store, known as La Samaritaine. What a story, what a life.
Jean-Marc Nattier (1685-1766)
Portrait of Marie Leszczynska, Queen of France, wife of Louis XV

Cognacq-Jay Museum
8 rue Elzévir
75003 Paris
Tel: 01 40 27 07 21

Open Tuesday to Sunday from 10am to 6 pm
Saturday Aug 5 2023