The Omani French Museum in Muscat is a spectacle to behold. It houses some of the city's most famous heritage pieces and is the former resident of the French Consul Bait Faransa.

Prior to being opened to the public, the impressive building was a palace - offered to the French Consul in Muscat in 1896 by the then Sultan Assayed-Faisal bin Turki.

Back in 1992, Sultan Qaboos bin Said and French President Francois Mitterrand re-envisaged the building as a museum, using it to house important French-Omani artefacts built up over the generations.

It contains early photographs of French diplomats, historical documents and a vast array of costumes, jewellery and furniture.

The exhibits are as fascinating as they are opulent and a trip to the museum is a great way to spend an afternoon for guests staying at the Millennium Resort Mussanah, which is less than an hour's drive away.

Situated in the old part of Muscat and run by the Ministry of Heritage and Culture, the museum is surrounded by other impressive sights - including the Ali Musa Mosque, the Alam Palace and Fort Mirani.

Its central location makes it an ideal starting point for people wanting to explore Muscat and its varied cultural heritage.