Did you know that Paris has nearly 300 museums – the most of any city in the world?
Paris is certainly an art hub, especially with its rich history of the artists like Claude Monet, Edgar Degas, and many others living in the city.
Whether you’re after French art, modern art, or art from around the world, we’re confident you’ll find something that suits your taste in the gorgeous museums of Paris.
We’ve done our fair share of gallery hopping in the city and have made a list of the must see museums. Read on for more!
1. Louvre (Musée du Louvre)
The Louvre is the largest art museum in the entire world, housing nearly 35,000 objects over 652,300 square feet. It’s by far the most popular museum in Paris and attracts nearly 8 million visitors every year. It’s impossible to see everything in a day, so take a look at a map before you go to figure out where you want to spend your time. Some of the most famous pieces in the museum include the Mona Lisa, Venus de Milo, and The Coronation of Napoleon. The building alone is worth a visit where the French monarchs used to live before the revolution.
2. D’Orsay Museum (Musée d’Orsay)
If you’re a fan of impressionist art, then the D’Orsay Museum is certainly a must see museum in Paris! It’s built in the former Gare d’Orsay train station and boasts sprawling ceilings and large windows, filling the museum with beautiful natural light. You’ll find art spanning from 1848 to 1914 with a vast collection of works from painters like Claude Monet, Edgar Degas, Pierre-Auguste Renoir, Paul Cézanne, and Vincent Van Gogh. This is the perfect museum to let yourself wander and explore.
3. Musée de l’Orangerie
Immerse yourself in Claude Monet’s waterlilies in this captivating museum which you might recognize from Woody Allen’s film, Midnight in Paris. The Musée de l’Orangerie was specifically arranged by Monet in a way that would transport viewers into the paintings. To do this, the walls were built in an unusual oval shape offering a panoramic experience of the artist’s famous waterlily scenes. Although the gallery isn’t large, you could spend hours dazed by the masterpieces.
4. Rodin Museum (Musée Rodin)
Take a trip to the Rodin Museum to see some of Auguste Rodin’s sculpted masterpieces. The museum is in the beautiful 18th-century Hôtel Biron. We love that the museum is compact enough to be able to spend time really enjoying each piece. Visitors can see drawings, early versions, and some of the artist’s most famous finished works, including The Thinker, The Kiss, and “The Burghers of Calais. Step outside and enjoy the lush gardens, where you’ll find even more sculptures. Although it’s right in the center of Paris, you’ll feel like you’re far, far away from the busy city.
5. Centre Pompidou
Paris’ national museum of modern art certainly doesn’t fit the mold of its fellow museums housed in royal palaces and mansions. The Centre Pompidou is renowned for its inside-out design. That’s right, the inner workings, like escalators, pipes, and colorful structures, are exposed on the exterior of the building. It’s a curious sight to see and you’ll often find Parisians hanging out in the courtyard below the museum.
Once you step inside, you’ll find an extensive collection of 20th-century art, including masterpieces by Pablo Picasso, Wassily Kandinsky, and Marcel Duchamp. What makes this cultural hub truly unique is its commitment to accessibility. The transparent façade allows visitors to see the city as they explore the exhibits. Before you leave, check out the rooftop terrace and enjoy a spectacular view of Paris.
6. Picasso Museum (Musée Picasso Paris)
Located right in the heart of the charming Marais neighborhood is the Picasso Museum. You’ll find it inside the elegant Hôtel Salé, a grand 17th-century mansion. The museum highlights a chronological journey through Picasso’s career, including paintings, sculptures, drawings, and ceramics.
7. Louis Vuitton Foundation (Fondation Louis Vuitton)
Take a trip to the Louis Vuitton Foundation, right near the famous Jardin d’Acclimatation park on the west side of Paris. The museum was opened in 2014 by the LVMH group to serve as an art and cultural center with the mission of making art accessible to all.
The building, designed by Frank Gehry, resembles a ship’s sails billowing in the wind. Inside, you’ll find an extraordinary collection of contemporary art, showcasing works that push the boundaries of creativity. Additionally, the museum presents a contemporary and a modern temporary exhibit each year featuring artists like Olafur Eliasson, Charlotte Perriand, and Jean-Michel Basquiat.
Although there are so many marvelous museums to see in Paris, we hope you have the chance to visit these seven.
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