16 Best Museums in Paris

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⚙️ Entrances + Museum Map (Official Website)

⚙️+📜 Visitor + Cultural Info (TI Website)

📜 Wikipedia

02. Orsay Museum

Appeal ★★★★★
Type Impressionist Art Museum
Cost Paid

Arrondissement 7th

French Name
Musée d’Orsay

This museum showcases European from the 19th and 20th centuries. Housed in a former railway station built in 1900, the museum was converted into an art venue in 1986.

It is particularly famous for its extensive collection of Impressionist and Post-Impressionist masterpieces, featuring works by artists such as Monet, Van Gogh, and Degas. It also includes sculptures, decorative arts, and photography, making it a significant center for Western artistic creation.

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03. Invalides

Appeal ★★★★☆
Type Landmark + Museums + Churches
Cost Paid

Arrondissement 7th

French Names
Les Invalides
Hôtel des Invalides

This complex ommissioned by King Louis XIV in the late 17th century was originally established as a hospital and retirement home for war veterans.

The complex features several museums, including the Musée de l’Armée, which is one of the largest military museums in the world, showcasing an extensive collection of military artifacts, uniforms, and historical objects.

A significant highlight of Les Invalides is the tomb of Napoleon Bonaparte, which lies beneath the stunning dome of the Dôme des Invalides, a prominent feature of the Paris skyline.

⚙️ Attractions within Invalides (Official Website)

⚙️ Map (Official Website)

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📜 Wikipedia

04. Orangerie Museum

Appeal ★★★☆☆
Type Modern Art Museum
Cost Paid

Arrondissement 1st

French Name
Musée de l’Orangerie

Famous for its collection of Impressionist and Post-Impressionist paintings, particularly Claude Monet’s Water Lilies, it is located in the Tuileries Gardens. It also displays works by Cézanne, Renoir, and Matisse. The museum offers a peaceful setting for art lovers.

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05. Marmottan Monet Museum

Appeal ★★★☆☆
Type Impressionism Museum
Cost Paid

Arrondissement 16th

French Name
Musée Marmottan Monet

This museum is renowned for housing one of the largest collection of Impressionist paintings in the world, particularly those of Claude Monet.

It’s situated in a former hunting lodge and showcases not only Monet’s works but also pieces by other notable artists like Pierre-Auguste Renoir and Édouard Manet.

The collection was significantly enhanced by the bequest of Paul Marmottan, a passionate art collector, which solidified the museum’s status as a premier destination for art lovers.

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06. Rodin Museum

Appeal ★★★☆☆
Type Sculptures Museum + Garden
Cost Paid

Arrondissement 7th

French Name
Musée Rodin

This museum is dedicated to the works of the renowned French sculptor Auguste Rodin. Opened in 1919, it houses the largest collection of Rodin’s works, including iconic sculptures.

The museum is set in a beautiful 18th-century mansion, the Hôtel Biron, surrounded by stunning gardens that showcase many of Rodin’s sculptures in an outdoor setting.

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🏞️ Google Images Overview – Garden

📜 Wikipedia

07. Petit Palais

Appeal ★★☆☆☆
Type Fine Arts Museum + Garden
Cost Free or Paid

Arrondissement 8th

French Name
Petit Palais

The Petit Palais, constructed for the 1900 Universal Exhibition, is renowned for its impressive collection of artworks, including paintings, sculptures, and decorative arts, spanning from Antiquity to the early 20th century.

It’s also notable for its beautiful architecture, featuring a grand façade and an inner garden.

📍 Google Maps

🏞️ Google Images Overview – Garden

📜 Wikipedia

08. Picasso-Paris Museum

Appeal ★★☆☆☆
Type Picasso Museum
Cost Paid

Arrondissement 3rd

French Name
Musée Picasso Paris

This museum houses one of the largest collections of works by the renowned artist Pablo Picasso, featuring over 5,000 pieces including paintings, sculptures, drawings, and ceramics.

It’s dedicated to showcasing Picasso’s artistic journey, from his early works to his later masterpieces. It’s located in The Hôtel Salé, an 17th-century mansion, provides a stunning backdrop for the collection, enhancing the visitor experience with its architectural beauty.

The museum also hosts temporary exhibitions, educational programs, and cultural events.

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09. Hôtel de la Marine

Appeal ★★☆☆☆
Type Palace Museum
Cost Paid

Arrondissement 8th

French Name
Hôtel de la Marine

Located on the Place de la Concorde this historic building was constructed between 1757 and 1774. Originally serving as the Garde-Meuble de la Couronne, it was responsible for the storage and management of royal furniture and artworks.

The building showcases a neoclassical architectural style and has been a significant witness to French history. After serving various governmental functions, including housing the French Navy’s administrative offices, it underwent extensive restoration and was opened to the public in 2021.

Visitors can explore its beautifully restored 18th-century apartments, which provide insights into the opulent lifestyle of the time.

The Hôtel de la Marine is not only a monument of architectural beauty but also a cultural hub, hosting exhibitions and events that celebrate its rich heritage.

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10. Pompidou Center

Appeal ★★★☆☆
Type Modern & Contemporary Art Museum + Panorama
Cost Paid

Arrondissement 4th

French Name
Centre Pompidou

This uniquely designed 6-floor building is renowned for its striking high-tech architecture, featuring an exposed structural framework and vibrant color-coded pipes.

It houses the National Museum of Modern Art, which is one of the largest collections of modern and contemporary art in Europe, showcasing works by renowned artists like Picasso and Kandinsky.

Additionally, the Pompidou Centre serves as a public library, and hosts various exhibitions and cultural events.

It also offers views from its upper floors.

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⚙️ Map (Official Website)

📜 Wikipedia

National Museum of Modern Art

French Name
Musée National d’Art Moderne

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11. Carnavalet Museum

Appeal ★★★☆☆
Type Paris History Museum
Cost Free or Paid

Arrondissement 3rd

French Name
Musée Carnavalet

This museum is dedicated to the history of the city. It is housed in two adjacent mansions, the Hôtel Carnavalet and the former Hôtel de Ligneris, showcasing Renaissance architecture.

The museum’s extensive collection spans from prehistoric times to the present, with a particular focus on the 16th and 17th century. It features thousands of artifacts, paintings, and historical objects that illustrate the evolution of Paris.

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📜 Wikipedia

12. Architecture and Heritage City

Appeal ★★★☆☆
Type Architecture Museum
Cost Paid

Arrondissement 16th

French Name
Cité de l’Architecture et du Patrimoine

This museum is dedicated to architecture and monumental sculpture. It serves as a key institution for understanding French architectural heritage, urban planning, and landscape design.

It houses an extensive collection of plaster reproductions of significant French monuments.

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📜 Wikipedia

13. Cluny Museum

Appeal ★★★☆☆
Type Medieval Museum
Cost Paid

Arrondissement 5th

French Names
Musée de Cluny
Musée National du Moyen-Âge

This museum is dedicated to the art and artifacts of the Middle Ages. It’s housed in a historic building that includes remnants of ancient Roman baths and a medieval abbey, providing a unique backdrop for its extensive collection.

Visitors can explore a variety of medieval artworks, including sculptures, illuminated manuscripts, and tapestries.

The museum not only showcases the artistic achievements of the medieval period but also offers insights into the daily life and culture of that era.

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📜 Wikipedia

14. Arts & Crafts Museum

Appeal ★★★☆☆
Type Industrial Artworks Museum
Cost Paid

Arrondissement 3rd

French Name
Musée des Arts et Métiers

This place is a prominent industrial design museum that showcases the history of technological innovation. Established in 1794, it features a collection inventions across various fields, including scientific instruments, transportation, and communication technologies.

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15. City of Science & Industry

Appeal ★★★☆☆
Type Science Museum
Cost Paid

Arrondissement 19th

French Names
Cité des Sciences et de l’Industrie
CSI

This large science museum serves as a hub for the popularization of science and technology, featuring a wide array of interactive exhibits that cater to both children and adults.

The museum spans over 30,000 square meters and includes various sections such as the Cité des Enfants, which is specifically designed for younger visitors. It offers hands-on experiences that encourage exploration and learning through play.

The Cité also hosts temporary exhibitions, a planetarium, and an IMAX cinema, making it a dynamic destination for families and science enthusiasts alike.

📍 Google Maps

⚙️ Map (Official Website – Pdf)

📜 Wikipedia

16. Quai Branly Museum

Appeal ★★★☆☆
Type World Art Museum + Garden
Cost Paid

Arrondissement 7th

French Name
Musée du Quai Branly – Jacques Chirac

This museum is dedicated to the arts and civilizations of Africa, Asia, Oceania, and the Americas, housing a very vast collection of objects.

The museum’s design, created by architect Jean Nouvel, integrates nature and architecture, featuring a lush garden that enhances the visitor experience.

The museum aims to promote understanding and appreciation of diverse cultures through its exhibitions and educational programs.

📍 Google Maps

🏞️ Google Images Overview – Garden

⚙️ Map (Official Website)

📜 Wikipedia

17. Guimet Museum

Appeal ★★★☆☆
Type Asian Arts Museum
Cost Paid

Arrondissement 16th

French Names
Musée Guimet
Musée National des Arts Asiatiques Guimet
MNAAG

This museum is renowned for housing one of the most comprehensive collection of Asian art in the world. Its collection includes artifacts from various Asian cultures, showcasing the rich artistic heritage of countries such as China, Japan, India, and Southeast Asia.

Visitors can explore a variety of artworks, including sculptures, textiles, and ceramics, reflecting the historical and spiritual dimensions of Asian civilizations.

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