musee patamecanique

Musée Patamécanique simply does not exist, at least not in the “real world”. Bristol, the town itself - is worth a visit, there are wonderful parks, many “real” museums, walks, and great restaurants, lots to see and do. Pay no attention to any of these five star reviews for Musée Patamécanique.

This was one of the strangest and most bizarre museums I have ever encountered, and that’s exactly why I enjoyed it so much!It started with an outdoor tour through a winter snow man festival – in August! This led us to a secret night garden with babbling fountains, the sweet smell of honeysuckle and robots made of heating pipes. This led us to a tour inside a gingerbread house filled with wonderfully weird inventions from another dimension - followed by a round of square dancing. Then the museum then spit us back out into the street - awestruck and bewildered.I still don’t understand what happened to me, but whatever it was, I want to do it again!!

Our visit to this extraordinary little museum was memorable to say the least. Be sure to read the “Tours” section of their web site very carefully because all visits are made by appointment only - and the exact whereabouts of the museum is a secret! We also suggest starting your evening with dinner at any of Bristol’s fine Restaurants – on the night of our visit we chose Le Central on Hope street, which was just a two minute walk from our tour departure point.The Musée Patamécanique experience is essentially a “tour” that encompasses both outdoor and indoor environments in downtown Bristol, Rhode Island. Our tour began at sunset at a small park near the water. Our guide arrived on an old style bicycle and after a warm welcome and round of introductions he opened a box attached to his bike and speedily equipped each of us with a set of wireless headphones and a map. He then said something like – “You are about to enter a little film made especially for you – all the props are in place, the actors are rehearsed and the soundtrack is about to begin – You are the camera! Now I’m going to switch this little button, and send you on your way…” And then he pressed play on an mp3 player, handed it to me, and peddled away! This audio he left us listening to was actually a sort of “alternative history tour” that lead us to the "secret" location of the indoor exhibition which I can only describe as a kind of dreamlike experience that takes place in a charming little building straight from the pages of Hansel and Gretel.Be warned. This place is not for everyone. If you’re easily offended by mild potty humor and fart jokes we’d suggest an alternative form of entertainment. But if you’re a fan of strange museums, anomalous inventions, philosophical conundrums and unusual experiences – this is the place for you!

Unfortunately to tell you too much about the Musee is to take away from the experience. If you are a fan of the Museum of Jurassic Technology in LA, if you are intrigued by the phenomena of the Cabinet of Curiosities then you must go, if you are an adventurous spirit, or if you are a fan of the unusual and creative you must go. The experience begins with a trip through a story which requires a short walk around town. Then you will find yourself in a place that will fill your spirit with awe and awaken you imagination. It is part museum, part show, and part cabinet of curiosities.