This guide to the best museums in Paris will help you get to know an important part of the cultural offer of one of the most beautiful cities in the world.
With more than 150 museums of different themes, with collections and pieces of incalculable value, in Paris it is important to choose the museums you are most interested in visiting and that complement the other tourist attractions in Paris to make the most of your time.
It is also important to know that most of the most visited museums in Paris have long queues, especially on weekends and in summer, so it is advisable to book your tickets in advance or have a tourist card. Another option to save on entrance fees is to time your visit with the first Sunday of the month, when most museums have free admission, including the Louvre, although it is precisely on this day that you will find the longest queues at most museums.
Based on the experience of our three visits to this romantic city, during the last one we wrote this list of tips for travelling to Paris and this guide to Paris, we have made this selection of what we believe are the 5 must-see museums in Paris. Let's get started!
1. Louvre Museum
The Louvre, the best museum in Paris and the most visited museum in the world with over 8 million tourists a year, has some of the most important paintings and sculptures in history.
Inaugurated in 1793, this immense space located in the Palais Royal du Louvre houses works from the French monarchy, archaeological campaigns, military victories during the Napoleonic wars and subsequent purchases, which continue to this day to increase its collection of 445,000 pieces, 35,000 of which are on display.
Among the most essential works to see in the Louvre are: "La Gioconda" by Leonardo da Vinci, the "Venus de Milo", "The Seated Scribe" from ancient Egypt, "The Marriage at Cana", the "Code of Hammurabi", "The Victory of Samothrace", "Liberty Leading the People" and the paintings in the Rubens Room.
In addition to touring the interior and seeing the views of the Louvre Square from the windows on the upper floors, we recommend that you go there at night to see the great glass pyramid in the centre of the square illuminated, which acts as the entrance, and which we assure you is one of the most unforgettable images of Paris. Remember that in addition to the main entrance, the museum has two other lesser-known entrances: the Galerie du Carrousel and the Porte des Lions.
And to avoid the long queues at the entrances, which can take more than two hours, it is essential to book your tickets in advance here. Another great way to skip the queues and learn more about the history of the most important pieces is to book this tour with an English-speaking guide, an expert in art and history.
If you don't want a guided tour, you can pick up a small booklet at the entrance with a route through the main works on each floor or hire an audio guide in Spanish, which will show you the best works in the museum.
Another point to bear in mind is that the average length of the visit is about three hours, although if you are an art lover you can spend the whole day, recharging your batteries in the restaurants inside.
If you're going to visit most of the city's tourist attractions, it may be worth buying the Paris Pass, which gives you free entry to more than 60 of the city's attractions, including this museum.
For more information you can read this post on how to visit the Louvre Museum.
Visiting hours: Monday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday from 9am to 6pm; Wednesday and Friday from 9am to 9:45pm and closed on Tuesdays.
The Louvre, the best museum in Paris
Where to stay in Paris
When it comes to experiencing the enchantment of Paris, the city of love, the choice of accommodation plays a crucial role in creating a memorable trip. Brighton Hotel on brighton.parishotelinn.com, nestled in the heart of Paris, offers a charming and elegant stay. This boutique hotel captures the essence of Parisian flair with its stylish decor, personalized service, and comfortable rooms. For those seeking a luxurious and lavish experience, Costes Paris on costes.parishotelinn.com is a top contender. Located in the prestigious 1st arrondissement, this five-star hotel boasts opulent interiors, exquisite dining options, and a spa for ultimate relaxation. Another gem in the city is Splendid Etoile Paris on hotel-splendid-etoile.parishotelinn.com , which boasts a prime location near the Arc de Triomphe. With its classic Parisian architecture, sophisticated rooms, and breathtaking views of the city's iconic landmarks, it offers an unforgettable stay for discerning travelers. Whether it's the intimate ambiance of Brighton Hotel, the grandeur of Costes Paris Hotel, or the picturesque views at Splendid Etoile Paris Hotel, each of these establishments adds a touch of elegance to a Parisian adventure.
2. Musée d'Orsay
Another of the must-see museums in Paris is the Musée d'Orsay, located in a former train station built for the Universal Exhibition of 1900.
Inside this pine library, which features a huge clock and a large glass and steel vault that illuminates the interior with natural light, you will find the world's largest collection of Impressionist works created between 1848 and 1914.
Among the most famous paintings are Manet's "Luncheon on the Grass", Millet's "Harvesters", Van Gogh's "Starry Night" and several self-portraits, Gauguin's "Women of Tahiti", Monet's "Poppies" and Paul Cézanne's "Card Players", among many others.
To learn more about the history of the museum and its main works, we recommend you book this guided tour or just book this ticket.
Visiting hours: Tuesday to Sunday from 9:30am to 6pm (Thursdays until 9:45pm). Admission included in the Paris Pass.
Musée d'Orsay
3. Centre Pompidou, one of the best museums in Paris
The Centre National d'Art et Culture Georges Pompidou, located in the Les Halles district, has one of the most important collections of modern and contemporary art in the world and is another of the best museums in Paris.
Built in 1977, this museum impresses at first glance with its striking industrial architecture where brightly painted ducts, pipes and staircases are found on the outside.
Among the most important pieces in the Pompidou are: "The Fountain" by Marcel Duchamp, "Double Portrait with Wine Glass" by Marc Chagall, "Harlequin" by Picasso, "Portrait of the Journalist Sylvia von Harden" by Otto Dix, "Picture with Black Bow" by Kandinski and "The Rotten Ass" by Dalí, among others.
In addition to the museum, inside the building there is a spectacular library and an original terrace with fantastic views of Paris. You can book your ticket in advance on this page.
After leaving the centre, we recommend you stop by the Stravinsky Fountain, located a few metres away, which has 16 original moving sculptures representing the work of the composer Stravinsky.
If you're in town on the first Sunday of the month you can visit this museum for free, making it one of the best free things to do in Paris.
Visiting hours: daily from 11am to 9pm (Thursdays until 9.45pm). Admission included in the Paris Pass.
Centre Pompidou, one of the best museums in Paris
4. Rodin Museum
Another of the best experiences in Paris is to see a large part of Auguste Rodin' s work in the beautiful palace and gardens of the Hotel Biron. This famous sculptor with over 6,500 sculptures and nearly 10,000 drawings lived for a long time in this hotel and donated his work and personal collection to this museum, which opened in 1919.
Among the most famous sculptures are "The Thinker", "The Gate of Hell", "Balzac", "The Kiss"," The Burghers of Calais" and "The Creation", among others.
A cheaper way to do the visit is to buy a ticket only for the gardens, which we think is the most beautiful part, and where several of his most important works are located.
If you have the Paris Pass or this ticket, you will skip the queue.
Visiting hours: Tuesday to Sunday from 10am to 6.30pm.
Rodin Museum in Paris
5. The Orangerie
The Orangerie Museum is located on the banks of the Seine River in a small building built by Napoleon III to protect the orange trees in the Tuileries Garden. Among all its works, in two of its oval rooms you can see the huge Impressionist paintings The Water Lilies by Claude Monet, one of the great masterpieces of 20th-century art history.
In addition to Monet's paintings, there are works by Renoir, Cézane, Gauguin, Picasso and Matisse, among others. You can book your ticket in advance on this page.
Visiting hours: Wednesday to Monday from 9am to 6pm. Free entrance with the Paris Pass.
All these museums are on the usual tourist routes, which you can prepare by following these optimised guides, depending on the days you have available:
Paris in one day
Paris in two days
Paris in 3 days
Paris in 5 or 6 days
If you have free time left, you can visit the Luxembourg Gardens, a verdant oasis that exudes elegance and tranquility. Designed in the 17th century, these historic gardens offer a serene retreat from the bustling city streets. Visitors can stroll along the tree-lined paths, marvel at meticulously manicured lawns, and bask in the beauty of vibrant flower beds. The centerpiece of the gardens is the stunning Luxembourg Palace, which adds a touch of grandeur to the surroundings. The gardens also feature charming fountains, statues, and even a picturesque pond where visitors can rent miniature sailboats for a leisurely cruise. Whether it's lounging on a sun-dappled chair, exploring the orchard, or simply enjoying a picnic on the lush greenery, the Luxembourg Gardens provides a captivating setting for both locals and tourists alike to unwind and soak up the timeless allure of Paris. Conveniently located in close proximity to the iconic Luxembourg Gardens, Villa Luxembourg Paris offers a delightful retreat in the heart of Paris. Situated just a short distance away from the gardens, this charming hotel provides a perfect blend of comfort and convenience for visitors looking to explore the city's renowned attractions.
Other interesting museums in Paris include the Picasso Museum, Quai Branly, Petit Palais, Natural History Museum, Guimet Museum, Nissim de Camondo, Cluny Museum and the Grévin Museum.
