If you want to see some spectacular artwork, housed under some equally beautiful architecture, then you really can’t go wrong with a trip to Paris. Of course, the city of love is also the city of the most famous smile, but the Mona Lisa and the Louvre aren’t the only artworks and museums. In fact, Paris has over 140 museums, which is kind of a crazy number seeing as the city isn’t that big. So deciding which ones to bump to the top of your bucket list can be a little challenging.
Whether you’re after paintings, sculptures, design, fashion, or something modern, you’ll be able to find a museum that caters to your artistic tastes and interests. We think these are the 15 best museums in Paris to visit on your first trip around the city of love – though keep in mind that there are SO many more to see as well!
1. The Louvre
Okay so let’s get the Louvre out of the way. It’s stunning, it’s iconic, and it’s huge – you could get lost here (literally) for days because of the sheer size of it. It’s the biggest museum in the world, so naturally it attracts most of the world as well. Prepare for there to be some crowds, especially around the Mona Lisa which many globe-trotters come specially to see.
But it is an absolute must-see, even if you’re only stopping by at the end of your walk through the Jardins des Tuileries. The courtyard is where you’ll find the famous glass pyramid and just standing outside the Louvre and being in its presence will tell you how incredible it is.
If you are planning on heading to the Louvre during your Parisian stay, we highly recommend booking your tickets in advance so you can skip some queues – and the sooner you get there the better!
Address: 75001 Paris
Opening times:
- 9am to 6PM Saturday – Thursday
- 9AM to 9:45PM Friday
- Closed Tuesday
Website: Louvre Museum
Image source:Contiki
2. Le Palais de Tokyo
Le Palais de Tokyo plays host to Europe’s biggest revolving collection of modern and contemporary art. This really is one of the best museums in Paris just because of the variety of artwork it holds, and the ever-changing nature of it – you could visit Le Palais de Tokyo every time you’re in Paris and see different exhibitions each time!
Whether it’s photography, sculptures, installations, textiles, or film, the Palais de Tokyo has an exhibition for every kind of art-lover. The building itself is gorgeous with columns, reliefs, and a pond reflecting the museum’s grandeur. The east wing of the building belongs to the City of Paris and plays host to the Paris Museum of Modern Art – so really you’re getting two museums in one here!
Address: 13 Av. du Président Wilson, 75116 Paris
Opening times:
- 12PM to 10PM Monday – Wednesday & Friday – Sunday
- 12PM to 12AM Thursday
- Closed Tuesday
Website: Palais de Tokyo
3. Le Musée de l’Orangerie
Most famous as the museum which is home to Monet’s collection of eight stretching canvases called Les Nymphéas, gifted by the artist himself, Le Musée de l’Orangerie is not to be missed!
It’s not the biggest museum in Paris, in fact it’s quite small, but the serene interiors and beautiful artwork dotting the walls will make you want to stay a while. Not to mention, it’s located right in the Jardin des Tuileries, neighbouring the Louvre and the Musée d’Orsay on the other side, so it’s a great one to visit during a museum-hopping day trip! They have a mix of permanent collections, temporary exhibitions, as well as live events encompassing art, literature, and music.
Address: Jardin des Tuileries, 75001 Paris
Opening times:
- 9AM to 6PM Saturday – Thursday
- 9AM to 9PM Friday
- Closed Tuesday
Website: Musée de l’Orangerie
4. Centre Pompidou
The first thing you’ll notice about the Centre Pompidou is that it really stands out. Windows and metal frames all around, colourful pipes and an outdoor escalator, you really can’t miss it. This is one of the top modern art museums in the world and it holds everything from paintings, sculptures, installations, and photography from a wide breadth of national and international artists. This museum also features fashion and furniture to give you a taste of something different.
Unfortunately, you’ll have to make your trip to the Centre Pompidou quite soon as it is scheduled to close in 2025 for 5 whole years. This is because the ‘inside out’ architecture it’s known for has suffered some significant wear and tear and needs some refurbishment. So, head out to see artists from Picasso to Kandinsky soon, or opt to wait 5 years to make that discovery even sweeter.
Address: Place Georges-Pompidou, 75004 Paris
Opening times:
- 12PM to 10PM Monday and Wednesday – Friday
- 10AM to 10PM Saturday – Sunday
- Closed Tuesday
Website: Le Centre Pompidou
5. Le Musée d’Orsay
What was once a train station is now one of the best museums in Paris, and easily one of the most popular. The interior is stunning: white marble floors and a glass and gold domed roof – this is exactly the grace you’d expect from one of the best art museums in Paris! But, you’re not here for the interior, you’re here for the art – and there’s plenty.
Turner, Van Gogh, Caillebotte, Renoir, there’s a true collection of art spanning the ages and movements here so if you want a glimpse into impressionism, modern art, sculpture, Pre-Raphaelites, and Christian art then this is the place to go. The museum also has a cafe at the top right by the clock face which you can look out of and see the Seine with the Louvre and Le Petit Palais across the river!
Address: Esplanade Valéry Giscard d’Estaing, 75007 Paris
Opening times:
- 9:30AM to 6PM Tuesday – Wednesday & Friday – Sunday
- 9:30AM to 9:45PM Thursday
- Closed Monday
Website: Musée d’Orsay
Image source:Charlie Fabre
6. Fondation Louis Vuitton
Rapidly becoming one of the most popular museums in Paris, the Fondation Louis Vuitton is hailed for its commitment to making the arts and cultures accessible to all. Owned by the luxury goods group LVMH, it hosts temporary exhibitions of modern and contemporary art which ranges from sculptures, installations, paintings, etc. and they also organise stage events such as concerts, live performances, film screenings, dance, and more.
On top of this, the Fondation Louis Vuitton also commissions site-specific pieces from national and international artists, so you can really see some unique artwork on a visit here. The building itself is a work of art, reminiscent of the Sydney Opera House with waving panes of glass, water features, and a surrounding of lush parks.
Address: 8 Av. du Mahatma Gandhi, 75116 Paris
Opening times:
- 11AM to 8PM Monday & Wednesday – Thursday
- 11AM to 9PM Friday
- 10AM to 11PM Saturday
- 10AM to 8PM Sunday
- Closed Tuesday
Website: Fondation Louis Vuitton
7. Le Petit Palais
One of the most majestic museums on this list (though a lot of Parisian architecture is), Le Petit Palais is not to be missed. You’ll pass through gilded doors under a grand arch, which in turn is under an impressive dome crowning the roof, and immediately the scene is set. Le Petit Palais is easily one of the best museums in Paris for its elegance and the incredible art inside.
Originally built in 1900 for the Exposition Universelle, Le Petit Palais is now known as Paris’s museum of fine arts – so you’ll be seeing some truly beautiful things inside that’ll dazzle any art-lover or connaisseur. The museum also has a lovely little courtyard filled with greenery and a pond, as well as a cafe where you can sit and enjoy the sun.
Le Grand Palais, which is just across the road from the Petit Palais, is also an incredible music with huge halls opened up by the glass ceiling. If you’re heading to the Paris 2024 Olympics, then check out the Grand Palais as this is where the fencing events will take place!
Address: Av. Winston Churchill, 75008 Paris
Opening times:
- 10AM to 6PM Tuesday – Thursday & Sunday
- 10AM to 8PM Friday – Saturday
- Closed Monday
Website: Petit Palais
Image source:Elizabeth / unsplash
8. Musée des Arts Décoratifs
Split into three sites around the city, the Musée des Arts Décoratifs is the perfect stop for anyone with an interest in the decorative arts. Here you’ll be able to discover history through furniture, home ornaments, textiles, jewellery, etc. dating all the way back to the Middle Ages.
It’s an impressive collection which will highlight the human experience across centuries and you’ll probably be learning a thing or two along the way! It’s a mix of beauty and intelligent design across three stunning buildings in Paris – the day trip is worth it!
Address:
- 107 Rue de Rivoli, 75001 Paris
- 63 Rue de Monceau, 75008 Paris
- 266 boulevard Raspail, 75014 Paris
Opening times:
- 11AM to 6PM Tuesday – Sunday
- Closed Monday
Website: Musée des Arts Décoratifs
9. Musée Rodin
Primarily dedicated to the beautiful sculptures of artist Auguste Rodin, this museum is located in what looks like a manor house straight out of Bridgerton. With gardens and idyllic walking paths and plenty of trees, this museum is a great place to spend a sunny day.
Scattered throughout the home are many marble, clay, plaster, and bronze sculptures depicting detailed scenes and anatomy. There is also a selection of Rodin’s letters, antiques, sketches and paintings on show, including the famous and controversial Before the Creation.
Address: 77 Rue de Varenne, 75007 Paris
Opening times:
- 10AM to 6:30PM Tuesday – Sunday
- Closed Monday
Website: Musée Rodin
10. La Bourse de Commerce
La Bourse de Commerce is one of the best museums in Paris that wasn’t always a museum! Much like the Musée d’Orsay, this gorgeous building was once the centre of trade and negotiation as well as an area which provided services to businesses. Now this museum pays homage to the work of François Pinault with a permanent collection.
La Bourse de Commerce also holds temporary installations and invites artists to make work that is either inspired by the building’s architecture, or that can interact with it. With a stunning glass dome and an intricate fresco that wraps around the whole hall, the museum is a work of art in and of itself.
Address: 2 Rue de Viarmes, 75001 Paris
Opening times:
- 11AM to 7PM Monday & Wednesday – Thursday & Saturday – Sunday
- 11AM to 9PM Friday
- Closed Tuesday
Website: La Bourse de Commerce
11. L’Institut du Monde Arabe
L’Institut du Monde Arabe is both an art and history museum as it covers Arabic heritage in France, its influence on French culture and vice versa, and aims to teach visitors about the Arabic world’s religions, languages, sciences, and communities. It’s a true learning experience and you’ll come out of a visit here a whole new person!
The building features an exterior of mirror-finished tiles with designs reminiscent of those found in Morocco which is brilliant under the sun! It’s also located by the Panthéon, La Sorbonne, Notre Dame Cathedral and the Jardin du Luxembourg, so you can have a day full of culture.
Address: 1 Rue des Fossés Saint-Bernard, 75005 Paris
Opening times:
- 10AM to 6PM Tuesday – Friday
- 10AM to 7PM Saturday – Sunday
- Closed Monday
Website: L’Institut du Monde Arabe
12. Musée de la Vie Romantique
Translated as ‘The Museum of Romantic Life’, this one is honestly quite underrated despite being a really cool museum in Paris – and so fitting for the city of love. Spread over two 19th century mansions (with the most adorable mint green shutters!), this museum is not only interesting but also cosy.
One mansion houses a tribute to the poet George Sand, displaying various artefacts and writings from her life, and you’ll be able to walk past rooms and hallways decorated with art from the Romantic era in both mansions. Once your tour is over – or maybe as a break between buildings – you should 100% enjoy a snack at the garden café. You’re also not far from Montmartre for even more exploration.
Address: 16 Rue Chaptal, 75009 Paris
Opening times:
- 10AM to 6PM Tuesday – Sunday
- Closed Monday
Website: Musée de la Vie Romantique
13. Musée Picasso Paris
This one is fairly self-explanatory: if you’re a fan of Picasso and all things Cubism then you have to make an obligatory stop at the Musée Picasso. But it’s not just Guernica and Portrait of Dora Maar, you’ll get to see the full evolution of Picasso’s work and style over his career.
But it’s not just Picasso, the museum also puts on temporary exhibitions revolving around other works and artists, making it a museum you can definitely visit more than once.
Address: 5 Rue de Thorigny, 75003 Paris
Opening times:
- 9:30AM to 6PM Tuesday – Sunday
- Closed Monday
- 9:30AM to 10PM first Wednesday of the month
Website: Musée Picasso Paris
14. Musée Carnavalet
This is one of the best museums in Paris if you want to learn about Paris itself! The history of the city is traced back to prehistory, so this is some really in-depth learning. With over 4,000 artefacts on display, you’ll get to see restored architecture and furniture, paintings, items from daily life, textiles, and so much more. The museum itself is the oldest in Paris, having opened in 1880 at the Carnavalet Mansion which was a hotel. It’s been renovated and extended since to make room for the growing collection.
Stepping into the Musée Carnavalet is like stepping into a time machine – this is really a place to learn and get inspired.
Address: 23 Rue de Sévigné, 75003 Paris
Opening times:
- 10AM to 6PM Tuesday – Sunday
- Closed Monday
Website: Musée Carnavalet
15. Palais Galliera
Fashion lovers unite, this is the best museum in Paris for you to visit! You may know Paris as one of the fashion capitals of the world, and it really proves its status as such with the Palais Galliera. Perfect for Emily in Parisfans, you’ll get to discover the best of French couture through the ages and understand what drew Lily Collins’ character there.
Just opposite the Palais de Tokyo, this museum prioritises telling the stories and history of luxury fashion dating all the way back to the 18th century. Seeing the evolution of luxury fashion, the clothes we wear on our backs, and the inspirations for these designs is really special and fascinating!
Address: 10 Av. Pierre 1er de Serbie, 75116 Paris
Opening times:
- 10AM to 6PM Tuesday – Wednesday & Friday – Sunday
- 10AM to 9PM Thursday
- Closed Monday
Website: Palais Galliera
Planning a museum day trip?
The great thing about Paris is that it’s so well connected. You can walk to all the main attractions in a day if you’re so inclined, or obviously take the metro from place to place really easily as well. This means that you’ll be able to squeeze in quite a few visits no matter how short your stay is in the city!
For a fool-proof museum crawl, these are some itineraries we recommend:
- Start at the Musée d’Orsay, then head to the Musée de l’Orangerie, afterwards shoot over to both Le Petit Palais and Le Grand Palais to end off the day!
- Start at the Palais de Tokyo then explore the adjoining Paris Museum of Modern Art for a two in one! Then fill your afternoon with fashion at the Palais Galliera and the Musée Yves Saint Laurent.
- Start at l’Institut du Monde Arabe for some history and culture, then cross the Seine to discover the Centre Pompidou, the Shoah Museum and the Musée Carnavalet.
