Madame Tussauds is exactly the kind of place you’d expect a long queue in front of, any day of the year. Tourists flock to the world-famous wax museum, leaving London with a handful of celebrity selfies.
The museum has always intrigued me, yet it took me seven years of living in London to finally step inside—last December! The pandemic had kept the crowds away, offering the rare chance to explore Madame Tussauds in peace…an irresistible luxury.
And the truth? I absolutely loved it!
Today, DOYOUSPEAKLONDON takes you inside one of the world’s most famous museums.
Madame Tussauds: behind the wax, a fascinating history
This museum has had a tumultuous history, yet it continues to enjoy lasting success. Let’s explore the fascinating story behind it…
At the heart of this museum is, of course, Madame Tussaud herself, born Marie Grosholtz in Strasbourg in 1761.
Her mother worked for Philippe Curtius, a Swiss physician and master of wax modeling, who taught young Marie the craft.
Remarkably, at just six years old, she accompanied Curtius when he moved to Paris, beginning her extraordinary journey in the world of wax.
In 1777, Marie created her first wax sculpture, portraying the famed author and philosopher François Voltaire. By 17, she became art tutor to Madame Élisabeth, sister of King Louis XVI, at the Palace of Versailles.
During the French Revolution, she was imprisoned and faced execution, but was spared thanks to an influential friend.
To prove her loyalty to the Revolution, she was then compelled to craft wax masks of executed nobles, including her former employers, the King and Queen.
In 1794, the French Revolution ended and Marie inherited Dr. Philippe Curtius’ wax collection. For the next 33 years, she toured Europe showcasing this collection. She married Francois Tussaud in 1795, took his surname, and then renamed her show as Madame Tussaud’s (the ‘s has been abandoned since).
By 1835, Marie Tussaud had settled down in Baker Street, London, and opened a museum.
One of the main attractions of her museum was the Chamber of Horrors, named after Punch Magazine used this term to evoke the Museum’s Separate Room where gruesome relics of the French Revolution were displayed.
In 1850 Madame Tussaud died and her grandsons took over the management of the venue and moved the attraction to its current site on Marylebone Road in 1884.
Since then, the Museum has resisted several ownership changes, fires, and bombs destroying the museum and its collection on several occasions, and developed branches around the world (bringing the number to 21 Madame Tussauds in the world!).
Madame Tussauds: London’s iconic wax museum
The collection of the Museum counts more than 300 wax figures, getting bigger every year, and ranges from historical and royal figures, to film celebrities, sports legends, music superstars…
Some wax figures are so lifelike that it’s both confusing and impressive to stand beside them!
Being able to get so close adds a unique thrill, and I could truly see why fans find it such a sensational experience.
There are 14 different interactive areas in the museum, giving you plenty of opportunities to do selfies!
The sports section was fascinating, showcasing the incredible achievements of the athletes featured.
The pop stars section, unsurprisingly, captivated our kids. There’s something thrilling about standing next to your favourite singer!
Rest assured, the cinema section is brilliantly represented, from classic icons like Hitchcock to famous actors and legendary franchises like Star Wars!
Just a few snapshots here. I’ll leave the rest for you to discover!
Madame Tussauds: the art of wax
During your visit, you’ll find a section dedicated to showing how wax figures are made.
It’s a fascinating experience, where you can follow the entire process, from initial measurements to choosing eye colour, matching makeup, selecting hair, sculpting, and finishing touches.
A single wax figure at Madame Tussauds takes around 3–4 months to complete and costs roughly €250,000!
I hope you’ve enjoyed this post and found inspiration here. If you are planning to visit Madame Tussauds when it reopens, please share your experience and opinion on DOYOUSPEAKLONDON’s blog!
And don’t forget to check out my other museums recommendations here!
To go further:
Madame Tussauds: Marylebone Rd, Marylebone, NW1 5LR
Website
Tickets / Bundles: https://www.madametussauds.com/london/tickets-prices/
