What do Robin Hood, Mowgli, and Mr. Bean have in common? Whether he's playful like Baloo, greedy like Winnie the Pooh, protective like the Bear, or extremely polite like Paddington, there's a brown bear for everyone! But how did the former king of the animals, revered for his strength and feared for his ferocity, manage to win the hearts of children and become, in the minds of parents, the most popular and loyal of playmates?

To find out, MAD brings 130 teddy bears of all sizes and colors out of their dens. From the first rather unappealing toys made of mohair and wood shavings to the adorable Care Bears with their soft tummies, and including iconic designer silhouettes, this ultra-comforting exhibition offers a pure moment of nostalgia centered around this reassuring figure, a universal symbol of childhood, a fashion icon, and a movie star.

Did you know? But how did a bear hunt led by Theodore Roosevelt give the Teddy Bear its name? Let's go back to 1902. The President of the United States returned empty-handed from a day of hunting. To save his honor, beaters offered to shoot a wounded bear cub tightly tied to a tree. Roosevelt refused, but the anecdote was already making headlines when a small shopkeeper in Brooklyn sensed an opportunity and asked the White House for permission to name his new toy after the president. Request granted!

MAD PARIS
Until June 22, 2025
107 rue de Rivoli, 75001
Metro: Palais-Royal - Musée du Louvre (1/7)
Tue. to Sun. 11am-6pm, Thu. until 9pm,
closed on Mon. - Price: €15
Reduced rate: €10 - Free for under 26s