Are you in search of the very best museums in Paris? You’re in the fitting place. Town is full of museums—however selecting the place to go can really feel overwhelming. With a lot on supply, it’s simple to overlook those that actually stand out.
However as a fellow museum lover, I created this record that will help you give attention to these which can be value your time.
Although I’ll admit, it took me some time to get right here. For almost ten years in Paris, I assumed museums weren’t for me. I hadn’t even set foot within the Louvre. Now I am going as typically as I can—and I really feel fortunate to dwell in a metropolis with such a density of implausible museums.
As a result of I got here to museums thata late, the knowledge right here is as recent because it will get. Simply final week for instance, I visited the Musée Marmottan once more.
You’ll discover each well-known and lesser-known ones. Select a couple of and take your time.
Salut, I’m Lena – journey planning knowledgeable and parisienne since 2006 🩷
📌 200+ handpicked spots I really love – Get free entry to my Paris map 🗺️
Heads up: Paris Museums Cross
For those who plan to go to a number of museums in Paris, the Paris Museum Cross can prevent each time and cash.
The go contains free admission to greater than 60 museums and monuments—together with the Louvre, Musée d’Orsay, Musée de l’Orangerie, Musée Rodin, Versailles, and Sainte-Chapelle. It additionally enables you to skip the primary ticket line at lots of them. (see full record right here)
You possibly can select between passes for two, 4, or 6 days, relying in your keep. It normally pays off when you go to about 4 or 5 museums.
An additional benefit: having the go typically places museums in your radar that you simply won’t have deliberate to go to in any other case. It encourages you to discover a bit extra.
➤ Get your Paris Museum Cross right here
12 Greatest Museums in Paris for Artwork & Historical past
Right here’s the record you’ve been in search of—the very best museums in Paris. They cowl artwork, historical past, structure, and extra, from nationwide collections to outstanding personal ones.
#1 The Louvre
➤ Plan forward: guide your timed entry ticket right here
➤ Additionally learn: Is the Louvre Value It? Your No-Nonsense Information
No shock right here—the Louvre belongs in fact on each record of the very best museums in Paris.
A go to right here feels important. It’s one of many most visited museums on the earth, and for good cause. The Louvre assortment spans greater than 11,000 years of artwork and tradition. Earlier than it grew to become a museum, the Louvre served as a royal palace for over two centuries.
In fact, you’ll need to see Da Vinci’s Mona Lisa, the Winged Victory of Samothrace, and the Venus de Milo. However there’s a lot extra—total wings many guests miss, from Islamic artwork to Renaissance sculpture and even the French crown jewels.
One factor I’ve discovered after a number of visits: one of the best ways to benefit from the Louvre is to plan forward You’ll miss most for those who attempt to simply wing it.
The museum is very large—it might simply fill a full day or extra. The easiest way to go to the Louvre is by:
#1 Purchase your particular person ticket right here forward of time and observe one in all their free customer trails or:
#2 E-book a guided Louvre tour for a greater and extra indepths expertise.
#2 Musée d’Orsay
➤ Plan forward: E-book your timed entry right here
➤ Additionally learn: Musée d’Orsay Information: Find out how to Beat the Crowds
The Musée d’Orsay picks up the place the Louvre stops, showcasing artwork from 1848 onward. It has a powerful give attention to Impressionism and Put up-Impressionism. Therefore, it’s a onderful place to begin you’re on a mission to discover Impressionist artwork in Paris.
In contrast to the huge Louvre with its a number of wings and flooring, the Musée d’Orsay is a really accessible museum. It’s structured throughout simply 5 flooring that you may go to one after the other.
The museum is very fashionable and infrequently sells out weeks prematurely—particularly throughout excessive season or on weekends. For those who’re planning to go to, it’s extremely really helpful to guide your ticket forward of time whereas there may be nonetheless availability.
My Tip: The perfect technique to beat the crowds is to get the primary timeslot and head straight to the fifth ground. It’s right here the place the world-famous Impressionist assortment is displayed.
#3 Musée Marmottan-Monet
➤ Additionally learn: Musée Marmottan-Monet: The Full Customer’s Information
For those who beloved the Impressionist assortment on the Musée d’Orsay, proceed your go to right here. The Musée Marmottan-Monet holds the most important assortment of works by Claude Monet on the earth.
It’s a smaller museum, set in a sublime former searching lodge within the sixteenth arrondissement. As a result of it’s slightly exterior the vacationer centre, it tends to be quieter than the bigger museums—however it affords a very particular expertise.
Right here you’ll be able to see Monet’s iconic Impression, Dawn—the portray that gave the Impressionist motion its title. You’ll additionally discover lots of his water lilies, backyard viewsinspired by his residence and gardens in Giverny, together with later works.
The museum additionally holds works by different Impressionist and Put up-Impressionist artists, together with Morisot, Renoir, and Gauguin.
It’s a superb place to take your time with the artwork and revel in a extra intimate setting. The structure is straightforward to observe and also you received’t really feel rushed or overwhelmed right here.
There isn’t a want to order your tickets prematurely.
#4 Musée de l’Orangerie
➤ Plan forward: E-book your timed entrance prematurely
The Musée de l’Orangerie is one other important cease if you wish to get pleasure from Impressionist and Put up-Impressionist artwork in Paris. For those who’ve already visited the Musée d’Orsay and the Musée Marmottan Monet, it will full the image.
The spotlight right here is for sure Monet’s Water Lilies cycle. The museum was designed round these large-scale works, displayed in two oval rooms flooded with pure gentle. Monet painted them late in life at his gardens in Giverny, intending the work to supply an area for calm and reflection.
Past Monet, the museum additionally holds a outstanding assortment of works by Cézanne, Renoir, Modigliani, Matisse, and Picasso. The house is compact and simple to go to—you received’t must spend a full day right here.
Nevertheless, the museum is normally very excessive on demand. Make certain to plan your go to and guide your timed entrance prematurely
#5 Picasso Museum
➤ Plan forward: Purchase your ticket for Musée Picasso right here
For those who’re thinking about trendy artwork—or just inquisitive about Picasso—the Musée Picasso is a must-see in Paris.
The museum holds greater than 5,000 works by Pablo Picasso, together with a big assortment of his private archives. You’ll discover work, sculptures, ceramics, drawings, and prints that span his total profession.
It’s housed within the stunning Hôtel Salé, a Seventeenth-century mansion within the Marais. The constructing alone is value a go to. The museum is organised chronologically, so you’ll be able to simply observe the evolution of Picasso’s type and see how his work modified over time.
Even for those who’re already accustomed to Picasso’s most well-known items, the gathering right here affords many surprises. The extra private and lesser-known works typically go away a powerful impression.
The museum is a manageable measurement and infrequently feels overwhelming. You possibly can comfortably go to in an hour or two.
➤ Purchase your ticket for Musée Picasso right here
#6 Musée Nationwide Rodin
➤ Plan forward and guide your ticket right here
The Musée Rodin is among the most stunning museum experiences in Paris—not only for the artwork, however for the setting.
It’s devoted to the work of Auguste Rodin, one in all France’s most celebrated sculptors. The museum is housed within the Hôtel Biron, an 18th-century mansion and I’m certain you’ll love the elegant interiors and huge home windows. However the actual spotlight is, in actual fact, the sculpture backyard.
Right here you’ll be able to see The Thinker, The Gates of Hell, and The Burghers of Calais displayed outside amongst roses and bushes. The distinction between the artwork and the backyard is placing—particularly on a transparent day, with the golden dome of Les Invalides within the backdrop.
Contained in the museum, you’ll discover Rodin’s sculptures in marble, bronze, and plaster, together with drawings and items from his private assortment. Works by Camille Claudel, Rodin’s pupil and muse, are additionally on view.
The museum is comparatively small and simple to go to, and you may completely pair it with a go to to the Eiffel Tower – it’s only a stroll away.
➤ Plan forward and guide your ticket right here
#7 Petit Palais
➤ Additionally Learn: Le Petit Palais: A Journey By means of the Historical past of Artwork
The Petit Palais is among the most underrated museums in Paris. It typically flies underneath the radar, but it holds a beautiful assortment. It’s really one in all my favourite museums in Paris —and better of all, normal admission is free.
Constructed for the 1900 Exposition Universelle, the constructing itself is a murals. Its Beaux-Arts structure, grand entrance, and serene courtyard backyard make it a pleasure to go to, even earlier than you see the collections.
Inside, you’ll discover work, sculptures, ornamental arts, and tapestries spanning from Antiquity to the early twentieth century. The museum’s strengths lie in its Nineteenth-century French work, with works by Courbet, Corot, Monet, and Delacroix.
As a result of it’s free, the Petit Palais is ideal for a brief go to or a spontaneous cease throughout a stroll alongside the Champs-Élysées. The museum additionally has a captivating café overlooking the backyard—a great spot for a quiet break.
➤ Additionally Learn Musée Carnavalet: The Greatest Museum in Paris for Historical past Lovers
If you wish to perceive Paris itself, the Musée Carnavalet is the very best place to begin.
This museum is devoted solely to the historical past of the town—from its historical origins to the current day. It’s housed in two linked Renaissance mansions within the coronary heart of the Marais.
The gathering is huge and eclectic. You’ll discover work, maps, indicators, furnishings, pictures, private objects, and whole reconstructed rooms. The displays cowl specifically the French Revolution, the Belle Époque, and day by day life in Paris by means of the centuries.
It’s a superb museum to go to at your personal tempo and that you simply’ll have the ability to uncover a mansion within the Marais is a pleasant plus.
The structure enables you to wander by means of Parisian historical past in a really visible, tangible approach. And just like the Petit Palais, normal admission is free. (Right here’s an inventory for an inventory of all free museums in Paris)
#9 Musée de Cluny
The Musée de Cluny, also referred to as the Nationwide Museum of the Center Ages, affords a captivating take a look at medieval artwork and life. Its situated over historical Roman baths, in one of many only a few surviving Fifteenth- century mansions the guts of the Quartier Latin.
As you’ll be able to think about, the constructing itself is a part of the expertise. I’m a medieval fan and I absoltuely beloved it. The gathering contains sculpture, stained glass, metalwork, manuscripts, and all kinds of on a regular basis objects from the Center Ages.
However the spotlight is unquestionably the collection of six tapestries referred to as The Woman and the Unicorn. These richly detailed works are among the many most celebrated surviving medieval textiles. They’re mesmerising.
The Musée de Cluny is fairly compact and as properly fairly simple to go to. Don’t allotted greater than an hour or two. It’s additionally quieter than most of the bigger museums—making it a sensible choice if you wish to discover one thing totally different.
#10 Musée de Montmartre
➤ Plan forward: Reserve your entry right here
➤ Additionally Learn: Musée de Montmartre: Uncover the Coronary heart of Bohemian Paris
Because the Montmartre fan that I’m, the Montmartre Museum belongs unquestionably on this record. And if you wish to uncover extra layers of this well-known neighbourhood than simply its cobbled alleys, I strongly suggest visiting.
Positioned in one of many oldest buildings in Montmartre, the museum tells the story of the world’s bohemian previous—when artists like Renoir, Toulouse-Lautrec, Modigliani, and Utrillo lived and labored right here.
The gathering contains work, posters, pictures, and private objects that seize the spirit of Montmartre on the flip of the twentieth century. You’ll additionally study concerning the cabarets and cafés that formed the neighbourhood’s vibrant fame.
A spotlight is Renoir’s former studio and the backyard, which impressed a few of his work. The Montmartre Museum is small, simple to go to, and pairs completely with a stroll by means of the encircling streets.
➤ Plan forward: Reserve your entry right here
#11 Fondation Louis Vuitton
Plan forward: Skip the Line tickets can be found right here
After so many museums steeped in historical past, the Fondation Louis Vuitton affords a refreshing change of tempo—and of period.
The muse was created by the LVMH group, which owns the style model Louis Vuitton. It’s a daring challenge, each in idea and in design.
The constructing itself, designed by Frank Gehry, is among the most outstanding trendy buildings in Paris. With its hovering glass “sails,” it appears to drift above the Bois de Boulogne
Inside, you’ll discover rotating exhibitions of main up to date artists, together with works from the Fondation’s personal assortment. The expertise is dynamic—no two visits are the identical.
For those who’re inquisitive about what’s occurring within the artwork world right this moment—or need to discover a daring piece of Twenty first-century Paris—that is the place to go.
#12 Musée Jacquemart-André
➤ Learn the whole information: Musée Jacquemart-André: Ideas and Highlights
After the daring modernism of Fondation Louis Vuitton, the Jacquemart-André Museum brings you again to the magnificence of the Belle Époque.
This museum is housed in a lavish Nineteenth-century personal mansion. It was as soon as the house of Édouard André and Nélie Jacquemart, a few passionate artwork collectors. They designed the house not simply to dwell in, however to showcase their assortment.
I like to recommend downloading the museum’s free audio information. It’s executed within the type of an invite to one in all their lavish Nineteenth-century soirées, full with music and environment. I beloved it—it provides one other layer to the expertise.
The museum holds a superb assortment of Italian Renaissance work, together with works by Bellini, Uccello, Botticelli, and Tiepolo. French artwork, Flemish masterpieces – however for me, the spotlight will without end be their wintergarden.
Sensible Ideas for Visiting Museums in Paris
➤ Think about the Paris Museum Cross
For those who plan to go to a number of museums, the Paris Museum Cross can save time and cash. It contains greater than 60 museums and monuments and affords skip-the-line entry at many websites. Extra infos on the go right here.
➤ E-book your time slot prematurely
Most museums require a reservation, even if you’re visiting on a free-entry day. At all times test the museum’s web site earlier than you go.
➤ Examine for those who qualify at no cost admission
Admission is free for guests underneath 18, and for EU residents underneath 26 at most nationwide museums. Many museums additionally supply free entry on choose days—normally the primary Sunday of the month. Examine particular person web sites for particulars.
Closing Ideas
As you’ve seen, Paris affords an unimaginable vary of museums—properly past essentially the most well-known ones. Whether or not you’re drawn to Impressionist masterpieces, medieval tapestries, up to date artwork, or the town’s personal layered historical past, there’s one thing right here for you.
Take your time when visiting. You’ll benefit from the expertise way more for those who don’t attempt to see the whole lot directly.
Parisienne since 2006 🩷
Knowledgeable in: Parisian Life &
French Tradition, Journey
Planning, Crochet & Meals and Drinks
Be a part of me on Fb for updates and information about Paris.
NEW: The Salut from Paris Journey Information:
If my Paris insights allow you to plan your journey, please take into account supporting me. Merci! ❤️ ☕
Should-Haves for Paris:
- eSim card to remain on-line whereas in Paris. I used GigSky for my travels.
- You seemingly want a journey adapter to plug your units.
- Journey Insurance coverage – for those who don’t have one, VisitorsCoverage is an effective possibility.
- In case your flight is delayed and even canceled, use AirHelp to get compensation.
Excursions & Points of interest:
- I guide excursions & actions by means of Get Your Information or Viator.
- Museum & Landmark tickets might be cheaper on the official web page, however they’re typically offered out.
- I really like the GoCity Journey Passes for straightforward planning
- I exploit Tiqets for Seine Cruises as a result of with my code SALUT5 we get 5% off
Flights & Transportation:
Accomodation:
- Accommodations in Europe I principally guide by means of Reserving.com (test evaluations rigorously)
- Trip Leases by means of Airbnb or VRBO
PS: Try these posts, they are going to allow you to plan your journey to Paris
