Paris, as one of the world’s most important cities, boasts numerous museums. Here are the top 10!
Read more about Paris attractions in this article!
Table of Contents
Top 10 museums in Paris
Louvre
What better place to start than with one of the most renowned museums!
One of Paris’s most famous public buildings, it’s world-renowned both for its architecture and the museum it houses. It’s been the largest exhibition space in the French capital since 1793.
In the 20th century, a glass pyramid made of steel, aluminum, and glass, standing 21.65 m tall with a side length of 35.4 m and consisting of more than 660 glass panels, was erected in the square bounded by the Louvre building. This remains an iconic part of the museum to this day.
Its collection includes more than 35,000 artworks from prehistory to the 19th century, showcasing humanity’s cultural and artistic evolution from various parts of the world. Its most famous piece is Leonardo da Vinci’s „Mona Lisa” which is the museum’s most visited piece.
There are two entrances: at the glass pyramid above and below at a small plaza (Carrousel). In bad weather, the latter is preferable.
Purchase tickets online in advance due to high interest at all times. You can buy them for a specific time, but once inside, you can stay as long as you like.
All information here!
Musée d’Orsay
Another famous museum in Paris, specializing in the art of the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
Located on the banks of the Seine, not far from the Louvre, it was built for the world exhibition in 1900 as the Orsay train station, which was converted in the 1980s. The large central hall under a glass roof, once the arrival and departure site for trains, has now become the museum’s main exhibition space.
The collection primarily focuses on French impressionism and post-impressionism, featuring works by masters such as Monet, Manet, Degas, Renoir, Van Gogh, Gauguin, and Toulouse-Lautrec. Additionally, the museum’s collection includes sculptures, photography, graphic arts, and decorative arts.
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Centre Pompidou
The building is interesting from the outside, appearing at first glance to be a factory. But in fact, it’s a very important art center.
Its exterior is industrial design, where structural elements such as pipes, stairs, and structural frames are located, marked with color coding for different functions.
French President George Pompidou initiated the creation of a cultural institution that presents all forms of modern art. The museum is home to modern and contemporary art from the early 20th century.
The collection includes paintings, sculptures, photographs, films, and other visual arts. Notable artists such as Picasso, Kandinsky, Matisse, Duchamp, and Pollock are featured, along with digital art and multimedia creations.
All information here!
Musée Rodin
The Rodin Museum, dedicated to the work and life of the renowned French sculptor Auguste Rodin.
In 1916, the artist himself offered his entire art collection to the French state on the condition that an institution be created to display his works. This opened in 1919, after Rodin’s death. Almost all of his important sculptures and more than 7000 drawings can be seen, as well as ancient artworks collected by the artist.
It’s located in a beautiful 18th-century rococo-style mansion, the Hôtel Biron. Rodin used the building and its accompanying garden as his own studio and home in his final years. The mansion’s garden serves as an outdoor gallery where many of Rodin’s famous sculptures, including „The Thinker” and „The Gates of Hell” are displayed.
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Musée du Quai Branly – Jacques Chirac
The museum near the Eiffel Tower showcases the art and culture of non-European civilizations.
It is named after Jacques Chirac, the former President of France, who was a great supporter of the project and committed to promoting cultural diversity and non-European arts.
Its collection includes over 300,000 artworks and objects from the museum’s four main geographic areas. The exhibited items include rare sculptures, masks, jewelry, musical instruments, as well as textiles and clothing articles, showcasing the richness and diversity of different cultures.
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Musée de l’Orangerie
The museum located next to the Place de la Concorde primarily houses a collection of early 20th-century impressionist and post-impressionist art.
It is most famous for the permanent exhibition of Claude Monet’s „Water Lilies” series. The artist donated these works to the French state, on the condition that they provide an appropriate place for the artworks.
However, its collection is not limited to Monet’s masterpieces but also includes works by many other prominent artists. The museum’s second level houses the Jean Walter and Paul Guillaume collection, which contains over 140 artworks, including pieces by Renoir, Cézanne, Matisse, Picasso, and Modigliani.
The exhibition provides an excellent overview of the artistic movements of the early 20th century, including impressionism, post-impressionism, cubism, and the schools that developed from these movements.
All information here!
Musée Carnavalet
It presents the history of Paris from prehistoric times to the 20th century, with a particular focus on the French Revolution.
The museum is established within two historic buildings: the Carnavalet Hotel and the Le Peletier de Saint Fargeau Hotel, with the former being the main venue.
Visitors can see over 600,000 items, including paintings, sculptures, furniture, models, photographs, and personal objects that showcase various aspects of Paris’s history and cultural life.
Outstanding pieces in the collection include items related to the French Revolution, such as the key to the Bastille prison, as well as objects associated with famous personalities like Voltaire or Marcel Proust.
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Musée Grévin
This is a wax museum featuring lifelike replicas of famous personalities, historical figures, and cultural icons.
Its former artistic director, Alfred Grévin, was a renowned caricaturist and wax sculptor, after whom the museum is named. It started as a simple exhibition space but now showcases both historical and modern era’s famous personalities.
It houses over 200 lifelike wax figures, including international celebrities like Michael Jackson, Albert Einstein, or the French presidents. It also immortalizes historical scenes and famous movie scenes.
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Fashion Museum (Palais Galliera)
Given that Paris is a fashion capital, this museum must also be mentioned.
It was built from a generous donation by the Duchess Marie Brignole-Sale Galliera, who dedicated the museum to herself and fashion. It has been operating as a public institution since 1977.
Its collection consists of more than 200,000 items, spanning from the 18th century to the present day, including clothing pieces, accessories, sketches, photographs, and fashion designs. Visitors can admire the works of the most famous French fashion designers, such as Yves Saint Laurent, Chanel, and Christian Dior, as well as international designers.
All information here!
Palais de Tokyo
One of the most significant contemporary art centers is located on the banks of the Seine, near the Eiffel Tower. It received its name from the street on which the building is located.
It does not have a permanent collection but hosts temporary exhibitions. These exhibitions showcase the works of contemporary artists from around the world, from painting and sculpture to digital art and multimedia installations.
All information here!
Best museums in the world
There are many great museums in the world. Here are some of the best!