Paris is famous for its amazing art and history. If you’re visiting and want to see the best museums, I’ve got you covered!
This shortlist highlights the top museums in the city, from world-famous masterpieces to unique collections. Whether you’re an art lover or just curious, these spots will give you a real taste of Parisian culture.
Louvre Museum
99 Rue de Rivoli, 75001 Paris
The Louvre Museum is considered one of the largest art and antiques museums in the world and it welcomes you to see its collections, which include more than 460,000 artworks from different periods (Middle Ages, Ancient civilizations, Islamic arts…).
In this museum, the most renowned works are exhibited such as the famous Mona Lisa, the Venus de Milo, The Raft of the Medusa, the Liberty Leading the People, the diamant called the “Regent” and other masterpieces that have marked our common history.
Price: €22.
Orsay Museum
1 Rue de la Légion d’Honneur, 75007 Paris
This famous museum invites you to discover its Western Art collections dating from 1848 to 1914 through a variety of artistic media (decorative arts, painting, sculpture, photography, graphic art and architecture …).
You will find many famous works like Manet’s Luncheon on the Grass, Monet’s Rouen Cathedral, Courbet’s The Origin of the World and many others.
Price: €16.
Musée de l’Orangerie
Jardin des Tuileries, 75001 Paris
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If you’re a fan of Impressionist and post-Impressionist art, the Musée de l’Orangerie is a must-see.
Located in the Tuileries Garden, this museum is famous for Claude Monet’s Water Lilies murals, which take up entire rooms and create an immersive art experience.
You’ll also find works by other renowned artists like Renoir, Cézanne, Picasso, and Matisse.
Price: €12.50
Musée Carnavalet
23 Rue de Sévigné, 75003 Paris
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Step back in time at Musée Carnavalet, dedicated to the history of Paris.
Located in the Marais, this museum offers an in-depth look at Paris through the ages, from the French Revolution to modern times.
Discover historical artifacts, art, and even entire recreated rooms that capture the essence of different periods in Parisian life.
Price: Free for permanent collections; temporary exhibitions vary around €13
Musée Rodin
77 Rue de Varenne, 75007 Paris
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For lovers of sculpture, the Musée Rodin is a treasure trove of masterpieces by the famed artist Auguste Rodin.
Located in a charming mansion with stunning gardens, the museum houses iconic works like The Thinker, The Kiss, and The Gates of Hell.
The garden is perfect for a peaceful stroll among sculptures, with beautiful views of the Eiffel Tower in the background.
Price: €15
Centre Pompidou
Place George Pompidou, 75004 Paris.
This poly-cultural institution was created in order to establish a cultural institution in the heart of Paris. It retains one of the most important modern and contemporary art collections in the world.
The center offers regular exhibitions on many cultural issues (cinema, works on paper and futurism …) as well as exhibitions dedicated to specific artists (Picasso, Julio Gonzales, Henri Cartier Bresson, Pierre Soulages Dali and more …)
Price: €15
Quai Branly Museum – Jacques Chirac
37 Quai Branly, 75007, Paris
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Only a few steps away from the Eiffel Tour, the Quai Branly Museum gathers works of art from Africa, America, Asia and Oceania. Its original architecture makes it an atypical place and ranks it among the biggest museums in Paris.
Built by the architect Jean Nouvel, this museum is a project initiated by Jacques Chirac during his presidential mandate.
It is composed with different buildings including the main one which is the Pont-musée sheltering exhibitions, whether they are temporary or permanent. You can also discover the building Université and its library with its aboriginal decoration or L’auvent where you can find the multimedia library.
And if you feel like it, you can conclude your visit with a little walk in the museum garden.
Price: €14
Petit Palais
Avenue Winston-Churchill, 75008 Paris
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This historical Parisian monument, built at the time of the Universal Exhibition of 1900, now houses a museum of fine arts. Its varied collections include many paintings, sculptures, decorative art and graphic art.
It invites you to discover the permanent collections illustrating the main artistic trends from ancient Greece to the First World War (1914-1918). The Museum regularly organizes temporary exhibitions to enlarge the variety of its visitors.
Rates:
- Free access for permanent collections.
- Temporary exhibitions: prices between €10 and €15
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