Paris is a city with amazing things to do, and is especially well-known for its various museums. This blog is an overview and recommendation for the best art museums I have visited while living in Paris.
1. Louvre
The classic of the museums in Paris. Perfect to see well-known pieces such as the Mona Lisa, but also great to explore various artists. While famous paintings and sculptures have a lot of visitors, the museum is huge, and therefore, some hallways are completely empty – perfect for a stroll around. Due to the size of this museum, also make sure to schedule enough time and wear comfortable shoes.
TIP: Reserve tickets online and go to the entrance Carousel, which is underground. Time-wise, most people visit in the morning, so if you just plan to visit for a few hours, also consider the afternoon. If you are an EU citizen and below the age of 26, the Louvre is also free, so I can recommend checking the line and spontaneously looking for tickets, which has worked for me multiple times.
2. Musée d’Orsay
Located in the old train station, Musée d’Orsay is definitely a must-do in Paris. The main hall showcases many sculptures, and the top floor not only hosts paintings by van Gogh but also a pretty view over the city.
TIP: If you are an EU citizen and below the age of 26, the museum is also free, but you cannot reserve tickets. If you are over 26, I recommend reserving a time slot to avoid waiting lines.
3. Musée de l’Orangerie
Home to the Water Lilies by Monet, this museum is a small but nice addition to other art museums. While it is of course famous for the water lilies, it also hosts another exhibition with art by Giacometti and Paul Klee, which is also totally worth a visit.
TIP: Since the museum is small, lines tend to be longer, so reserve a spot beforehand. If you are an EU citizen and below the age of 26, the museum is also free.
4. Centre Pompidou
Modern art lovers will find this museum amazing. It is home to various art styles and artists, and the museum alone is worth visiting for its architecture. You will stay on the 5th floor, which presents you with a beautiful view of the city.
Info: The museum is being renovated, so it might be closed.
5. Musee d’Art Moderne de Paris
Near the Eiffel Tower, there is the Museum of Modern Art, which hosts one of the most impressive paintings of Raoul Duffy. Part of the museum is free, so it’s also a nice low-budget addition to your stay in Paris. Compared to the other museums, this one is quite unknown and therefore, the Halls are quite empty.
6. Rodin Museum
Home to the most famous sculptures of Rodin, such as the Thinker, the museum near Invalides is totally worth a visit. While it is on a smaller site, the garden and the house are quite impressive and well-cared for. Also, not as popular as other museums, therefore, it is easy to navigate the exhibition.
Info: If you are an EU citizen and below the age of 26, the museum is also free.
7. Dior Museum
The Dior Museum is a homage to Paris as a fashion city. Within the museum, not only is the history of the fashion label shown, but also a lot of impressive dresses are shown. This museum is perfect if you want to see something other than conventional art and understand more about fashion design.
TIP: The tickets are reserved well before the visitation date, however, there is the possibility to buy tickets on the spot – they are quite limited as well so be sure to arrive 30 min before the ticket sale starts (at 11am)