The 26 Best Museums in Paris, France [2024]

Paris isn’t just the French capital; it’s also one of the world’s most important art and cultural cities. That’s part of what draws tourists worldwide to Paris, but while most people know the city is full of museums, many don’t realize how diverse these exhibits really are. Whether you love art, history, or fashion, there’s a Parisian museum that’s perfect for your trip.

The 26 Best Museums in Paris

1. Centre Pompidou

The Centre Pompidou, sometimes called the National Centre of Art and Culture, houses over 140,000 works of contemporary art, making it one of the largest museums of its kind in Europe. In addition to the many works that are permanently held and displayed in the facility, the center also hosts numerous temporary exhibitions throughout the year.

Many of these exhibitions showcase the work and careers of individual artists who have transformed contemporary art. Some artists who have been honored by these galleries are Henri Michaux, Jackson Pollock, and Henri Matisse.

Though the museum’s collection is always growing, some of its standout pieces are Robert Deluanay’s “Manège de cochons,” Frida Kahlo’s “The Frame,” and Marc Chagall’s “Les mariés de la Tour Eiffel.”

The museum regularly collaborates with other museums as well, with multiple national and international branches acting as satellite museums for the Pompidou galleries. However, it’s worth noting that renovations are planned, which will close the main museum from 2025 to 2030.

Access to the main exhibit is free for everyone. The museum is open Friday to Monday and Wednesday from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Saturday from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. The nearest transit stop is Châtelet Les Halles.

• Address: Place Georges-Pompidou, 75004 Paris, France

2. Cité de l’Architecture et du Patrimoine (City of Architecture and Heritage)

Since its founding in 1879, the City of Architecture and Heritage has been one of Paris’ most important architecture and culture museums. Today, 3 permanent exhibits are housed within it.

• Galerie des moulages showcases replicas used in French structures over the course of 600 years.
• Galerie des peintures murales et des vitraux showcases murals and stained glass from the country’s Gothic churches.
• Galerie moderne et contemporaine showcases models of architecture from around the world constructed over the past 150 years.

The museum also showcases designs by architecture students and contemporary designers. It even offers training programs for specialized architects who wish to work on historic buildings throughout France and the rest of the world. Since the museum is over 9,500 square feet, there are multiple places where temporary exhibitions are displayed for visitors.

Admission is €9 (~$10), though it’s free for EU residents under 25, all visitors under 18, and the general public on the first Sunday of the month. The museum is open Friday to Monday and Wednesday from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Thursday from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. The nearest metro stop is Trocadéro.

• Address: 1 Pl. du Trocadéro et du 11 Novembre, 75116 Paris

3. Fondation Cartier pour l’Art Contemporain

The Fondation Cartier pour l’Art Contemporain, often shortened to just the Fondation Cartier, is a contemporary art museum open to the public since 1984. Since opening, the museum has amassed a collection of over 1,500 pieces from over 300 artists.

Since the foundation works with many artists, the collection continuously grows, and displays are frequently changed. These items range from sculptures to paintings. In addition to the permanent exhibits, the foundation hosts temporary galleries each year, often showcasing the work of particular artists, styles, or art periods.

Some highlighted pieces are “Mexico City” by Balthasar Burkhard, “La Veuves de Noirmoutier” by Agnes Varda, and “The Monument to Language” by James Lee Byars. The museum also promotes the performing arts and hosts concerts, dance recitals, and more. The museum frequently partners with other international facilities, often exchanging pieces.

Admission is €11 (~$12) for the general public. Some visitors may qualify for a reduced €7.50 (~$8) ticket. Children under 13, disability card holders, art teachers, and recipients of certain French social service benefits can visit for free. The museum is open Tuesday from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. and Wednesday to Sunday from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. The nearest metro stop is Raspail.

• Address: 261 Bd Raspail, 75014 Paris

4. Fondation Louis Vuitton

The Fondation Louis Vuitton opened in 2014 as an art and cultural center sponsored by the luxury LVMH company.

Over the years, the museum’s collection has grown to incorporate over 100 pieces from renowned international artists. In addition to its acquired pieces, the foundation has commissioned work from creators including Sarah Morris, Cerith Wyn Evans, and George Bures Miller. Though no particular art style is the museum’s main focus, most of the pieces housed in the facility were completed between 1960 and today.

Some of the collection’s highlights include sculptures, paintings, and photographs, such as “Trois hommes qui marchent 1” by Alberto Giacometti, “Grillo” by Jean-Michel Basquiat, and “The Coloured Sky: New Women II” by Yang Fudong. The museum also houses an auditorium, which is used for events such as lectures and small concerts.

Admission is free for children under 3, €5 (~$5) for people under 18, unemployed French citizens, and artists, €10 (~$11) for students, French teachers, and young people under 26, and €16 (~$17) for the general public. Art, design, architecture, and fashion students can visit for free on Thursday. The museum is open Wednesday to Friday and Monday from 12 p.m. to 7 p.m. and Saturday to Sunday from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. The nearest metro stop is Les Sablons.

• Address: 8 Av. du Mahatma Gandhi, 75116 Paris

5. Jeu de Paume

Officially known as the Galerie Nationale du Jeu de Paume, this museum showcases modern and postmodern photography and videos. Housed in a building built during Napoleon III’s leadership, the structure has housed important works of art since it first opened. It became an official gallery in 1909.

The medium of photography didn’t become the museum’s central focus until 2004. In addition to the museum’s extensive gallery of permanently exhibited photos, it hosts a series of temporary exhibitions and events throughout the year. Some photographers showcased at these events are Julia Margaret Cameron and Victor Burgin.

Much of the museum’s collection can be seen virtually. It even commissions artists for its virtual museum, with 120 different photographers showcased via its art outreach programs.

General admission is €7.50 (~$8) for children during the week and €12 (~$13) for adults, though some people may qualify for a €9 (~$10) reduced ticket. The museum is open Tuesday from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Wednesday to Sunday from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. The nearest metro stop is Concorde.

• Address: 1 Pl. de la Concorde, 75008 Paris

“The Jeu de Paume is an art center specializing in the most contemporary forms of image, photography, films, and new media. It is a place without a permanent collection with a very varied cultural program. Its architecture, minimalist and contemporary, both inside and in its 19th-century building, perfectly reflects its programming, which is both historic and very current.”

Quentin Bajac, Director, Jeu de Paume, Paris

6. La Galerie Dior

As a fashion capital, Paris’ La Galerie Dior is a museum showcasing one of the city’s most important designers and subsequent design houses, Christian Dior. The museum houses sketches, masterpiece designs, and textiles that showcase the company’s evolution and history.

The museum is housed in what was once the designer’s headquarters, where all of his creations were developed for 70 years. In addition to the personal and professional items on display, the gallery hosts various events throughout the year that center around topics such as style and cultural heritage.

Some of the museum’s highlights include a replica of Christian Dior’s office, the original mock-up designs for the Miss Dior perfume bottle and campaign, and the famous blue dress Princess Diana wore at the 1996 Met Gala in New York.

Reservations to see the galleries are recommended. Admission is €12 (~$13) for the general public, €8 (~$8) for students aged 10 to 26, and teachers. Journalists can visit for free. The museum is open Thursday to Monday from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. The nearest metro stop is George V.

• Address: 11 Rue François 1er, 75008 Paris

7. Louvre

First founded in 1793, the Louvre is the most well-known museum in France. It’s also one of the largest, both in space and the size of its collection. The museum’s exhibits are spread over nearly 79,000 square feet, with even more space dedicated to the facility’s archives, restoration departments, and offices.

Altogether, this square footage houses over 380,000 artifacts and works of art, from jewelry pieces and sculptures to paintings. The collection is so extensive that even though 35,000 pieces are displayed at any given time, that’s still less than 10% of the total works.

The museum is also one of the most comprehensive, displaying objects from cultures worldwide. Some of the most important pieces housed in the Louvre are the “Mona Lisa” by Leonardo da Vinci, “The Marly Horses” by Guillaume Coustou, and the “Venus de Milo” statue.

Admission is €17 (~$18) for the general public. Children under 18, EU residents under 26, Louvre members, cultural professionals, and French job-seekers can visit for free. The museum is open Wednesday to Thursday and Saturday to Monday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Friday from 9 a.m. to 9:45 p.m. The nearest metro stop is Louvre-Rivoli.

• Address: 75001 Paris

8. Maison de Victor Hugo

The Maison de Victor Hugo is a biographical home museum dedicated to the life and work of Victor Hugo. Residing in the Paris apartment where the writer spent his life for nearly 20 years, the facility showcases personal and reproductions of his and his family’s personal items.

The museum has also expanded to preserve artwork and artifacts from the writer’s general history, not just his time in this apartment. In fact, its collection has grown to consist of over 50,000 pieces. The collection is divided into 8 sections, 7 of which are combined seamlessly within the museum and consist of drawings, photos, documents, decor, and more, all designed or acquired by Hugo.

The eighth museum collection is in the archives but can be seen online via the digital museum. Admission is free to all visitors. The museum is open Tuesday to Sunday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. The nearest metro stop is Estación de Victor Hugo.

• Address: 6 Pl. des Vosges, 75004 Paris

9. Musée Bourdelle

The Bourdelle Museum opened in 1949 in what used to be the studio of its most important contributor, Antoine Bourdelle. Bourdelle was a sculptor who was active during the late 19th and early 20th centuries, and the museum’s collection reflects the art styles of that time. As works from other artists have been added to the museum, the collection has grown to over 500 pieces.

As of 2012, the facility has organized its pieces to seamlessly create a path through the showcased art periods. This way, Bourdelle’s stylistic evolution is fully displayed, and visitors get a comprehensive art history education.

Other French artists showcased in the museum are Auguste Rodin, Pierre Puvis de Chavannes, and Jean Auguste Dominique Ingres. The museum also houses replicas of ancient Greek and medieval pieces Bourdelle created during his career.

Admission is free for everyone. However, temporary exhibits often require an additional ticket. The museum is open Tuesday to Sunday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. The nearest metro stop is Falguière.

• Address: 18 Rue Antoine Bourdelle, 75015 Paris

10. Musée Carnavalet

The Musée Carnavalet is one of the most important museums dedicated to the history of Paris. Housed in what used to be the Carnavalet Hotel, the museum officially opened to the public in 1880. The museum consists of exhibit rooms, each dedicated to a different period of Paris’ history.

The rooms are furnished with authentic furniture pieces and works of art that showcase the city’s economic, political, and societal changes. The museum also highlights some of the most important figures from the city’s history. The 3,800-item collection is spread over 4 floors and divided into 15 departments, the oldest focusing on the area’s prehistoric era.

Some of the highlighted pieces in the museum are artifacts from the Gallo-Roman culture, the “Storming of the Bastille” painting, and Louis Napoleon Bonaparte’s cradle. Admission is free for all visitors. The museum is open Tuesday to Sunday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. The nearest metro stop is Saint-Paul.

• Address: 23 Rue de Sévigné, 75003 Paris

11. Musée d’Orsay

Since opening to the public in 1986, the Musée d’Orsay has been one of Paris’ premier art museums. In particular, the museum focuses on French art from the 50 years between 1848 and 1914.

It houses the largest collection of work from impressionist and post-impressionist artists like Monet, Dega, Renoir, and Van Gogh. The museum displays about 3,000 works of art, though the collection is much larger, and the galleries are routinely rotated.

Some of the most important pieces that have been displayed in the Orsay include “Portrait de l’artiste” by Vincent Van Gogh, “Le Balcon” by Edouard Manet, “Apparitions” by Eugène Grasset, and “Whistler’s Mother” by James McNeill Whistler. Many of these pieces are paintings, but sculptures and photographs are also displayed. Additionally, the museum collaborates with other museums to display collections on loan.

Admission is free for children under 18, EU citizens under 25, and visitors with disabilities, €12 (~$13) for Thursday late-entry tickets, €13 (~$14) for any single adult accompanying a child, and €16 (~$17) for the general public.

The museum is open Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday to Sunday from 9:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Thursday from 9:30 a.m. to 9:45 p.m. The nearest metro stop is Solférino.

• Address: Esplanade Valéry Giscard d’Estaing, 75007 Paris

Hot Tip:

We have several guides to help you plan where to stay, including the best hotels in Paris, the best Paris hotels to book with points, and the best boutique hotels in Paris.

12. Musée de Cluny – Musée National du Moyen Âge (Cluny Museum – National Museum of the Middle Ages)

Housed in what was once the Hôtel de Cluny, built in the 15th century, the Cluny Museum houses one of the country’s most notable collections of medieval art and tapestries. Over half of the museum’s 11,500 square feet is set aside for its galleries, while the rest serves as office and archival space.

The Cluny collection tops 23,000 artifacts, the oldest of which can be traced back to the Gallo-Roman culture. The youngest items in the museum are from the 1500s. Due to the massive size of the collection, only about 10% of the artifacts are on display at any given time.

The museum primarily focuses on artifacts from within France’s territory but also houses items from around the world. Some highlights are a Visigoth votive crown and altar ornaments from the Roman Empire.

Tickets are €12 (~$13), though some visitors can qualify for a €2 (~$2) discount. Admission is free for children under 18, EU citizens under 26, and everyone on the first Sunday of the month. The museum is open Tuesday to Sunday from 9:30 a.m. to 6:15 p.m. The nearest metro stop is Cluny-La Sorbonne.

• Address: 28 Rue du Sommerard, 75005 Paris

“The museum reopened its doors in May 2022 after a long period of renovation. I hope that everyone who already loved the Cluny Museum and those who have never been here before have a wonderful time (re)discovering it. The building has lost none of its charm, and the collections have lost none of their brilliance. The National Museum of the Middle Ages awaits you, so we can together write the next chapters in its story.”

Séverine Lepape, Director, Cluny Museum

13. Musée de l’Armée (Army Museum)

Paris’ Army Museum is dedicated to the history of France’s armed forces. The museum opened in 1905 when it combined the previous artillery and army history museums into a singular facility. With subsequent acquisitions, the facility now houses over 500,000 artifacts from the 13th century to World War II.

The structure is divided into 6 different exhibit spaces, both indoors and outdoors, divided mainly by time periods. However, in the case of the courtyard, similar artillery items are gathered together.

The museum also has a screenroom to show films and documentaries about the French army. Some of the museum’s most valuable pieces are the “Napoleon on the Throne” and the “Battle of Cassel” paintings and a hounskull bascinet helmet.

Admission is free for children under 18, EU residents under 26, visitors with disabilities, military personnel, professionals, and members. Tickets are €12 (~$13) for families and €15 (~$16) for the general public. The museum is open daily from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. The nearest metro stop is La Tour Maubourg.

• Address: 129 Rue de Grenelle, 75007 Paris

14. Musée de l’Orangerie

Though today it’s an exhibit space for impressionist and post-impressionist artwork, the Musée de l’Orangerie was initially built as a sort of greenhouse to protect citrus trees. It’s this original history that gave the museum its name. Opened as an art space in the 1920s, the museum showcased the work of artists from the time.

Today, it houses 157 pieces from 13 of France’s most important artists. Some of the museum’s most popular works are “Water Lilies” by Claude Monet, “Pommes et biscuits” by Paul Cézanne, “La Noce” by Henri Rousseau, and “Odalisque bleue” by Henri Matisse.

The museum also showcases how its structure has changed over time. In addition to the main works always on display, the Orangerie hosts temporary galleries and other events throughout the year. These give the facility a chance to dive deeper into the works of specific artists.

Admission is free for children under 18, EU citizens under 26, art history students, visitors with disabilities, and French job-seekers. The rate is €10 (~$11) for adults accompanying a child and Friday late entry visitors, and €12.50 (~$13) for general admission. All fees are waived on Sunday. The museum is open Wednesday to Monday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. The nearest metro station is Tuileries.

• Address: Jardin des Tuileries, 75001 Paris

15. Musée des Arts et Métiers (Museum of Arts and Crafts)

The Musée des Arts et Métiers centers around industrial design. The museum is housed in what was once a priory, with much of the original structure remaining despite its numerous renovations throughout the years.

The museum focuses on craftsmanship and industry in a variety of fields. Over the years, the museum has acquired over 80,000 physical items and 15,000 design sketches and drawings, which fall into 7 categories.

These categories encompass scientific tools, industry materials, energy sources, mechanical designs, construction tools, communication tools, and transportation designs. Some of the most popular displayed exhibits include a prototype for a 19th-century aircraft, the original Foucault pendulum, and some of the first photographs. The museum also hosts exhibits centered around other industries, like fashion.

Admission varies based on the season. General public tickets are €9 (~$10) in the summer and fall and €12 (~$13) in the winter and spring. Seniors 62+, students, and museum employees qualify for a €3 (~$3) discount. The museum is open Tuesday to Sunday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. The nearest metro station is Arts et Métiers.

• Address: 60 Rue Réaumur, 75003 Paris

16. Musée des Égouts de Paris (Paris Sewer Museum)

The Paris Sewer Museum‘s origins can be traced back to 1889 when the first tours of the city’s sewers were offered. Paris’ sewer system has long been appreciated as an engineering marvel that helped the city evolve. Throughout its history, this network of tunnels became the source of local myths, even earning a mention in “Les Miserables” by Victor Hugo. 

Even today, tours are still offered with a knowledgeable guide. Additionally, the museum houses a permanent collection that showcases documents, photos, and other artifacts that display the history of the Paris sewers.

The museum is divided into 7 main sections, each covering topics such as the intricate infrastructure and industry that keep the system running smoothly and multiple exhibits about how the sewers affected social issues. It also showcases the many thankless jobs that ensure the sewers continue to serve the entire Parisian territory.

Admission is free for EU citizens under 26, visitors with disabilities, the French unemployed, Rome residents, veterans, journalists, and school groups, €7 (~$7) for seniors 65 and older, and €9 (~$10) for adults. The museum is open Tuesday to Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. The nearest metro stop is Alma-Marceau.

• Address: Esplanade Habib Bourguiba, Pont de l’Alma, 75007 Paris

17. Musée du Général Leclerc de Hauteclocque et de la Libération de Paris (Liberation of Paris Museum)

Originally opened as the Jean Moulin Museum, the Musée du Général Leclerc de Hauteclocque et de la Libération de Paris (Liberation of Paris Museum) is dedicated to the resistance movement made by French men and women during World War II.

The museum houses over 2,000 artifacts from this period, including photos, documents, and family objects that create a detailed account of France between 1940 and 1945. The museum also hosts special exhibitions to dive deeper into personal accounts or particular moments in the resistance movement. Events are also held here, particularly on the anniversary of France’s liberation each year.

Jean Moulin is a central figure in the museum, as he played an important role during this period, even serving as the president of the French National Council of the Resistance. Admission is free for all visitors. However, special events and exhibits may require a ticket. The museum is open Tuesday to Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5:50 p.m. The nearest metro stop is Place Denfert-Rochereau.

• Address: 4 Av. du Colonel Henri Rol-Tanguy, 75014 Paris

18. Musée du Parfum

Paris has always been famous for its perfume shops. This history is best preserved by the Musée du Parfum, which was opened in 1983. Located in one of Napoleon III’s residences, the museum is decorated with authentic 19th-century furnishings. However, the museum’s centerpieces are its perfume bottles, toiletry kits, and distillation perfumes used throughout history.

The museum showcases how the production of perfume and its uses have changed over time. It even uses displays to show how perfume is created today, including the precise art of determining the ratios of which fragrances to mix.

The oldest artifacts in the museum can be traced back 5,000 years to Mesopotamia. There are also unique perfume bottles from other cultures, like a whistle pomander from Germany and a Czech ring flask. Of course, the museum also honors perfume couture.

Admission is free for all visitors. The museum is open Monday to Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. and Sunday from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The nearest metro stop is Opera.

• Address: 9 Rue Scribe, 75009 Paris

19. Musée du Quai Branly – Jacques Chirac

The Jacques Chirac Museum of Branly Quay opened in 2006 and has since become an important center for preserving African, Asian, Oceanic, and American indigenous art. In the years since opening its doors, the museum has acquired over a million artifacts and art pieces, though only 3,500 are on display at a time.

To ensure that the many photos, documents, instruments, and other objects in the museum’s possession are given a chance to be admired by the public, the exhibits are rotated every 6 months. This also helps ensure that repeat visits will virtually always be different.

The collection is ever-changing as France comes to agreements with other cultures about institutions. Some key items in the museum are a mask from the Eket culture in Nigeria, a ritual mask from India, a painted car from Mexico, and wooden figures from Papua New Guinea.

Admission is €12 (~$13), though some visitors may qualify for a €3 (~$3) discount. Fees are waived on the first Sunday of the month. The museum is open Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday to Sunday from 10:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Thursday from 10:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. The nearest metro stop is Alma-Marceau.

• Address: 37 Quai Jacques Chirac, 75007 Paris

20. Musée Marmottan Monet

The Musée Marmottan Monet opened in 1934, though it didn’t gain fame until over 30 years later in 1966, when Claude Monet’s son, Michel, donated many of his father’s works.

Today, the collection numbers over 300 works of art. Most of these pieces are by Monet. However, other artists are showcased as well. Edgar Degas, Pierre-Auguste Renoir, and Alfred Sisley are just some of the other artists who have pieces in the museum’s permanent exhibits. Additionally, the museum houses a sizable collection of illuminated books from the 13th century.

The eclectic nature of the collection allows visitors to get an overview of how art and culture have changed in French society throughout history. Some of the collection’s popular works are “Nympheas” and “Impression, Soleil Levant” by Monet and “La Cerisier” by Berthe Morisot.

Admission is free for visitors with a disability, children under 7, journalists, lecturers and tour guides, art history students, artists, and members. Tickets are €9 (~$10) for visitors under 18, students under 25, French job-seekers, and those accompanying a visitor with disabilities, and €14 (~$15) for the general public.

The museum is open Friday to Sunday and Tuesday to Wednesday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Thursday from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. The nearest metro stop is La Muette.

• Address: 2 Rue Louis Boilly, 75016 Paris

“The Marmottan Monet Museum is more than just a museum. It is a house of collectors. You can discover beautiful artworks from Middle Age to the 20th century, in a private mansion, but also many paintings of Berthe Morisot, the first Impressionist woman painter and the biggest collection of Claude Monet, including the masterpiece “Impression, Soleil Levant” that you should feel in person.”

Véronique Pelloie, Deputy Director & Museum Administrator, Musée Marmottan Monet

21. Musée National Eugène-Delacroix

The Eugène Delacroix Museum is both a biographic and art museum primarily focused on the works of Eugène Delacroix. The museum is housed in the painter’s last residence before his death in 1863. After being saved from demolition in 1929, work began to convert it into a museum.

Today, the museum preserves not just Delacroix’s artistic work but also his life. It houses a collection of his personal items, drawings, sketches, and documents as well as photos and books regarding him. Many of his original art supplies are also displayed in the studio.

Some of the highlighted pieces on the premises are “Portrait of a Young Man Wearing a Blue Beret,” “Study of Flowers,” and “Mary Magdalene in the Desert.” Other artists are also displayed, including Newton Fielding and Gillot de Saint-Evre.

Admission is €7 (~$7). However, visits are free for EU citizens under 26, art teachers, Louvre members, Delacroix Museum members, the unemployed, visitors with disabilities, and war veterans. The museum is open Wednesday to Monday from 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. The nearest metro stop is Saint-Germain-des-Prés.

• Address: 6 Rue de Furstemberg, 75006 Paris

Hot Tip:

The Eugène Delacroix Museum is closed through March 19, 2024, for renovation.

22. Musée National Picasso-Paris

Since Picasso spent many years in Paris, it’s not surprising that the city is home to the Picasso Museum gallery. This facility showcases 5,000 art pieces and thousands of other personal items that belonged to Picasso, such as his photographic archive and personal letters.

The initial collection was acquired in 1986 when the artist’s widow, Jacqueline, passed away. When her daughter inherited her mother’s estate, she paid her inheritance tax with artwork, namely pieces created by Picasso. Picasso had an enormous collection of not just his own work but that of others in the field, like Renoir, Degas, and Matisse.

“Autoportrait,” “Grand Nu au fauteuil rouge,” and “La Femme au jardin” are just a few of the pieces housed in the museum and its archives. In addition to the sculptures, paintings, and other works of art on display, the museum has an online gallery to peruse.

Admission is €11 (~$12) for those who qualify for a reduced rate and €14 (~$15) for the general public. The museum is open Tuesday to Friday from 10:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturday to Sunday from 9:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. The nearest metro stop is Oberkampf.

• Address: Place Mariejol, 06600 Antibes, France

23. Musée Nissim de Camondo

The Musée Nissim de Camondo is located in a 20th-century mansion and today serves as a snapshot into 18th and 19th-century French life. Since becoming a museum open to the public, the mansion’s rooms have been furnished with authentic and restored antique pieces to show the decorating styles and typical objects owned by the French in the latter half of the 1700s.

The museum is split into 3 floors and 18 rooms. Many of the pieces in the museum were acquired by the Camondo family, whose patriarch commissioned the mansion’s construction.

The mansion mixed efficient, modern luxuries of the early 1900s, like a heating system and elevators, with antiquities. Some of the prized pieces in the museum are a Barnard Molitor tea table, a vase from 1740, and a Jean-Baptiste Boulard folding screen.

Admission is free for children under 18, EU citizens under 26, visitors with disabilities and their carers, students, teachers, Ministry of Culture personnel, and tour guides. Tickets are €14 (~$15) for the general public. Some visitors may qualify for a €2 (~$2) discount. The museum is open Wednesday to Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. The nearest metro stop is Malesherbes.

• Address: 63 Rue de Monceau, 75008 Paris

24. Musée Rodin

First opened in 1919, the Rodin Museum is almost entirely dedicated to the work of Auguste Rodin, one of Paris’ most important sculptors. Said to be the father of modern sculpture art, the museum houses over 6,600 examples of the medium and thousands of additional drawings, photos, and other art objects. The museum’s collection is so large that the facility had to split into 2 different buildings.

The first is the site of the Biron Hotel, which is in the center of the city, and Rodin’s villa home just outside of Paris. “Adam,” “Aurora,” and “Icarus” are just a few of Rodin’s works on display. However, the museum also has a sizable collection of works from other artists, including “Peasant Woman With Cows” by Alfred Roll and “Pere Tanguy” by Van Gogh.

Admission is €13 (~$14). The museum is open from Tuesday to Sunday from 10 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. The nearest metro stop is Saint-François-Xavier.

• Address: 77 Rue de Varenne, 75007 Paris

25. Muséum National d’Histoire Naturelle (National Museum of Natural History)

The National Museum of Natural History (MNHN) is considered one of the country’s most important historical and research centers. Run by the Sorbonne University, the museum houses over 68 million specimens in its collections. Many of the undisplayed pieces can be seen virtually online.

Though the museum has 14 associated locations throughout the country, the flagship Paris location consists of 4 main galleries. The comparative anatomy gallery is easily the most popular part of the museum. The museum also hosts temporary exhibits throughout the year.

The museum opened its doors in 1793, displaying pieces on zoology, mineralogy, and botany. Even today, the museum has outdoor garden zoo spaces to allow for observational research in the natural sciences. Today, over 600 researchers are on staff who can be seen at work while exploring the museum.

Admission is free, but specialized exhibits require purchasing an extra ticket that usually costs between €7 (~$7) and €9 (~$10). The museum is open Wednesday to Monday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. The nearest metro station is Jussieu Station.

• Address: 57 Rue Cuvier, 75005 Paris

26. Petit Palais

Housed in a building built for the Exposition Universelle of 1900, Petit Palais is one of Paris’ greatest fine arts museums.

The museum has changed slightly over the years, but its primary focus has always been on the history of French art from the medieval period to the present day. The collection consists of over 43,000 pieces. The museum is, in large part, divided into 2 main sections. The Dutuit Collection spans the medieval and Renaissance periods, and the Tuck Collection spans from the 1700s to today.

Some of the most renowned pieces in the museum are “Combat of the Giaour and the Pasha” by Eugène Delacroix, “Organ pipe clock with a monkey orchestra” made by Jean Moisy and Jean-Claude Chambellan, and “Woman Wearing Gloves” by Charles-Alexandre Giron. The facility also showcases art from other non-French artists like Rembrandt and Rubens.

Admission is free for all visitors, though temporary exhibits require a ticket purchase. The museum is open Tuesday to Sunday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. The nearest metro stop is Franklin D. Roosevelt.

• Address: Av. Winston Churchill, 75008 Paris

How To Get Free or Reduced Admission to Paris Museums

We’ve indicated with each museum whether or not children, students, or seniors receive free or reduced admission. Several other programs offer similar concessions.

The Paris Museum Pass offers free or reduced admission to over 50 museums and attractions for 2 to 6 days to those visiting Paris. Participating attractions in the greater Paris area are the Louvre,, Musée D’Art et D’histoire Du Judaïsme, Musée D’Orsay, Musée De Cluny, Musée De L’Armée, Musée De L’Orangerie, Musée Des Arts Asiatiques, Musée Des Plans-reliefs, Musée Jean-jacques Henner, Musée Méliès ,Musée Picasso, and more. Prices start at €55 (~$60) for a 2-day pass.

Capital One cardholders can enroll in a complimentary 6-month membership with The Cultivist (through June 22, 2024) and receive access for themselves and a guest to the Musée Picasso.

Participation is subject to change; please verify participating museums and entry conditions before your visit.

Final Thoughts

Paris is one of Europe’s most important cultural and artistic hubs. As the capital of France, it’s home to some of the country’s best museums. From the art at the Louvre to the history of the Liberation of Paris Museum, there’s a museum suitable for virtually any visitor. We hope that this list has helped you narrow down your options so you can choose the most suitable Parisian museums for your itinerary.