The best museums Téhéran

A fascinating collection of Crown jewels, not lacking under any pretext. Bank Melli, in front of the German Embassy, is easily linked with its large black doors and armed guards at the entrance. In the basement, a fabulous treasure protected by substantial armour. The windows are home to precious stones, rough and rough diamonds, crested with crested and other different jewellery. Of unimaginable value, this collection gathers over several centuries the war spoils accumulated by the Crown, purchases made, legacies and finally gifts. The Diamant-i Nur or the Sea of light (182 carats) diamonds are undoubtedly the most famous of all. Reported by Nadir Shah (1688-1747), in the th century, after his victory over the Mughal Empire in Delhi, this diamond remains the most important of the world with the famous Koh-i Nur (the Mountain of Light). The latter, stolen by the British after leaving India, is now in the Tower of London. The former Throne of the Peacock, made in 1798 and encrusted of 26 733 precious stones, dates back to the time of Fath Ali Shah (1797-1834). More recently, the Throne of the Shah is also fully set of precious stones. The fabulous crown of the Pahlavi, dating back to 1924, was on its side made by a former Jeweler of Bukhara from 3 380 diamonds and countless emeralds, sapphires and pearls… also admiring the royal belt of gold, captured by a splendid emerald of 175 carats! Another highlight of the collection, the huge earth globe of 40 kg, realized in 1869 with more than 50 000 precious gemstones. The tales of the Thousand-and-One Nights are never far away… Possibility of buying postcards and a small booklet on the jewels at the exit.

Marking the location of the ancient bazaar citadel (or Ark), the magnificent Roses Palace will first house the Qadjar Dynasty (1794-1925) and the Pahlavi dynasty (1925-1979). It brings together seven palaces open to the public. It is difficult to remain insensitive to the gardens, the splendid flower beds and its marble-paved courtyards to the blue tiled basins. See in particular the Ethnographic Museum (Muzeh-ye Mardom Shenasi) for its beautiful paintings and interesting collection of everyday objects of everyday life and musical instruments. Also interested in the great nakhl, or ceremonial catafalque for the religious processions of the month of Moharram.

Very interesting museum near the rue Neauphle-le-Château and the Embassy of France which, even at the height of the revolution, has never been closed. The vast collection of Persian, high quality classical carpets, and kilims of nomadic tribes, come from all regions of the country.

The wonderful Isfahan and Kerman silk carpets will also make visitors happy. The carpets of Azerbaijan are recognisable to their central medallion in fish form. Between animal motifs, hunting scenes, worthy of the best miniatures with its tigers, ibex and leopards past the sword by some heroic shah, we are plunging into Persian mythology. Also dwell on the carpets to the medallions, the généalogie carpets and those representing Darius the Great, King of Kings. So you will know everything about Persian carpets, the number of knots at the cm ² signs the quality of the work. You can also know that a tourist is entitled to 12 m ² of carpet without additional taxes… Small shop also accessible to the public.

Advice to soapweed ambiance… Former prison for opponents during the 1979 pre-revolution period, the establishment remained exactly in the same state as it was thirty years ago. In a religious silence, only disturbed by the distant echo of the gardien, the visit begins with a long framed entrance of walls on which the names of the prisoners are inscribed. Here, the secret police of the Shah (the Savak) were free to award all dissidents. The museum consists of the elucidation of these methods, illustrated by bloody models. An original visit, just steps from the national museum of Iran, which takes little time and allows you to discover another face of the country's history.