Paris is more than a city of light; it is also a city of arts and majestic museums that will leave you in awe. This city has over 150 museums, and you would need to spend a lot of time in Paris to explore them all.
Feeling overwhelmed by the number of choices and not sure where to start? Don’t worry, I have curated a list of the 10 best museums in Paris based on their popularity, stunning architecture, and incredible works of art.
The Louvre
The Louvre requires no introduction. It is one of the most famous museums in the world and sees millions of visitors every year. There is a high chance that if you visit the Louvre today, you’ll meet a long line of people waiting to gain entrance into the museum. That’s why it’s best to get a skip-the-line ticket before going, this way you guarantee you get into the museum fast.
The Louvre is located by the Seine River, and it occupies over 70,000 square meters with more than 35,000 exhibitions. It is the largest museum in the world! You could spend the whole day here and not see everything in the museum’s collection.
Some of the most important works of art you can find in the Musée du Louvre are the “Mona Lisa” and the “Venus de Milo.” The museum also features many other masterpieces divided across eight categories, including drawings, decorative arts, Greek art, and Egyptian antiquities.
Even if all you have is one day in Paris, a visit to the Louvre is a must!
Website: www.louvre.fr // Address: 75001 Paris, France
Fondation Louis Vuitton
Fondation Louis Vuitton is a great museum connecting the world of art, culture, and fashion. One of the most iconic things about the Fondation Louis Vuitton is its astounding and elaborate architecture made from 3,600 glass panels and 19,000 concrete panels. The Louis Vuitton Foundation was designed by architect Frank O. Gehry and inspired by the Grand Palais and Jardin d’Acclimatation, which are both connected to the museum’s building.
Once inside, you will find an impressive collection of modern art. From different artists like Lavier, Huyghe, Jean-Micheal Basquiat, Eliasson, and Richter. The foundation also regularly hosts temporary art exhibitions featuring contemporary and modern art from various artists and movements.
You can take your time to explore every corner of the museum, or take the foundation’s guided tour to see the highlights of the museum. Foundation Louis Vuitton also hosts popular Parisian events, including fashion shows, book launches, charity galas, concerts and music performances, and film screenings.
Website: www.fondationlouisvuitton.fr // Address: 8 Av. du Mahatma Gandhi, 75116 Paris, France
Musée Picasso
The Picasso Museum, which lies in the Hôtel Salé, is mainly dedicated to the works of Pablo Picasso through various periods in time. This is a great museum to spend time with Piccaso’s live works. Including paintings, artifacts, sketches, sculptures, poetry, and even letters, displayed in a gorgeous exhibition space.
Some of the notable exhibitions here are “Picasso’s Self-portrait,” “Memento Mori,” and “Man with Guitar.” You will also find a section of the museum that showcases some of Picasso’s personal collections, like the works by Gauguin, Degas, Joan Miró and Paul Cézanne.
Musee Picasso is one of the most recommended museums in Paris. It features art and exhibitions that reflect the artistic periods of one of the most iconic artists of all time.
Website: www.museepicassoparis.fr // Address: 5 Rue de Thorigny, 75003 Paris, France
Paris Museum Of Modern Art
Located on the banks of the Seine, Musée d’Art Moderne or MAM, is one of the coolest museums in Paris to visit. This museum has the largest collection of modern art in Paris and is a break from most museums in the city that often display classical art.
MAM features a massive collection of eye-grabbing art from the 20th and 21st centuries in different forms like sculptures, paintings, and videos. The museum’s permanent exhibition features the best of modern artists like Gaston Suisse, Henri Matisse, Marc Chagall, and Raoul Dufy.
The Paris Museum of Modern Art also has temporary exhibits featuring contemporary movements like realism, cubism, and abstract art. The best part? MAM is just a short walk to the Eiffel Tower, so you can end your day at the historical landmark.
Website: www.mam.paris.fr // Address: 11 Av. du Président Wilson, 75116 Paris, France
The Centre Pompidou
The Centre Pompidou might not be as popular as the Louvre, but it is one of the best-known museums in the French capital. This museum is often known as the “Beaubourg” to the locals, which is the name of its location in the Marais district of Paris.
This museum is so iconic: it’s a combination of an art museum, a library, a performance stage, and a cinema! The Centre Pompidou was opened in 1977, and its exterior architecture (exposed pipes and air duct) contributed to the museum’s popularity.
Website: www.centrepompidou.fr // Address: Place Georges-Pompidou, 75004 Paris, France
Musée Rodin
Also known as the National Rodin Museum. This incredible museum is located at the former mansion of Auguste Rene Rodin, the founder of modern sculpture. Musée Rodin celebrates the life and works of Auguste Rodin and features over 6600 sculptures and 8000 photos/drawings.
One of the best things about this museum is the gorgeous gardens and the beautifully landscaped greenery. It makes the experience here even more magical.
Musee Rodin is divided into different spaces like the Hotel Biron, which features the works of Rodin in an 18th-century mansion. The Sculpture Garden, which features a gorgeous display of flora and sculpture. And the Rodin Atelier, where visitors can create their sculptures. When strolling through this beautiful museum, look out for incredible sculptures like The Gates of Hell, The Thinker, The Kiss, and the Burghers of Calais.
Website: www.musee-rodin.f // Address: 77 Rue de Varenne, 75007 Paris, France
Musée d’Orsay
Musee d’Orsay is closed on Mondays but open from Tuesdays to Sundays. This beautiful museum is top-rated among art lovers who enjoy Impressionist and Post-Impressionist art.
Musee d’Orsay used to be a train station, but now it showcases galleries featuring many famous painters, including Vincent van Gogh and Monet. This museum also features different arts and media forms, including architecture, paintings, and sculptures.
One of the major highlights of this museum is Van Gogh’s ‘Starry Night over the Rhone.’ Aside from the art exhibits, Orsay Museum also organizes workshops, guest lectures, and guided tours for visitors.
Website: www.musee-orsay.fr // Address: 1 Rue de la Légion d’Honneur, 75007 Paris, France
Musée de l’Orangerie
Fans of Claude Monet will love this museum as it features eight of his Nympheas (water lilies) paintings. It was said that Monet worked with architects to create 8 panels of water lilies, each 6.66 feet (2.03 m) high and 300 feet (91.44 m) long.
While Monet’s water lilies are the major highlight of this museum, you will also find impressive works of other renowned artists like Picasso, Renoir, Cezanne, and Matisse. Take your time to explore every passage of this museum to experience the rich collection and learn more about the history of Paris.
Musee de l’Orangerie was initially built as a horticultural building for the orange trees of the Jardin de Tuileries. Then transformed into a museum that exhibits the work of renowned artists. This explains why this museum has a calm, relaxed, and artistic atmosphere. Making it an excellent place for a romantic date.
Musee de l’Orangerie is open from Wednesday to Monday.
Website: www.musee-orangerie.fr // Address: Jardin des Tuileries, 75001 Paris, France
Musée Marmottan-Monet
Musée Marmotta Monet used to be a museum of the French Empire until 1966 when Monet’s son gave out over 60 of his father’s works to the museum. This museum has photographs, pallets, and paintings of Monet on display, including the famous ‘Impression, soleil levant.’
In addition, there are works from other artists like Renoir, Gaugin, Manet, and Morisot, the most popular female Impressionist painter. Musée Marmottan-Monet is rarely crowded, so you can take your time here.
Website: www.marmottan.fr // Address: 2 Rue Louis Boilly, 75016 Paris, France
Fondation Cartier pour l’Art Contemporain
Fondation Cartier pour l’Art Contemporain is an iconic glass and steel building designed by architect Jean Nouvel that sits under the Cartier’s offices in Paris. It is a great exhibition center to experience the art of the moment.
The foundation hosts a diverse range of exhibitions, including painting, sculpture, photography, and multimedia installations. Fondation Cartier pour l’Art Contemporain is a vibrant and dynamic center where you will find great contemporary art.
Website: www.fondationcartier.com // Address: 261 Bd Raspail, 75014 Paris, France
Other Museums worth Mentioning
If you’re still craving art, history, and culture in Paris, worry not – the city boasts an abundance of museums. Here’s a list of other noteworthy museums:
Musée des Arts et Métiers: Showcases a diverse collection of scientific instruments, technological innovations, and industrial artifacts.
Petit Palais: Architectural gem housing a remarkable collection of fine arts.
Grand Palais: Stunning venue with an iconic glass roof that hosts major cultural events and exhibitions.
The Army Museum: houses collections of weapons and uniforms used by the French Army throughout history.
Musée Carnavalet: Europe’s oldest science museum.
Dalí Paris: Museum dedicated to the eccentric and surreal world of Salvador Dalí.
Musée du Quai Branly: Non-European art and culture.
Musée des Arts Décoratifs: One of the world’s major collections of design and the decorative arts.
