Paris’s museum scene is impressive. From world-famous collections and historic masterpieces to inspiring contemporary exhibitions, there is no shortage of culture at all. Whether you’re passionate about fashion, photography, architecture, or fine art, these museums offer a look at Paris’s current creative scene, and also it’s history.
Visit these museums in Paris
Centre Pompidou
One of the most recognizable landmarks in Paris, Centre Pompidou is famous for its architecture and big collection of modern and contemporary art. Explore works by artists such as Pablo Picasso, Henri Matisse, and Andy Warhol. The museum also hosts temporary exhibitions throughout the year. Don’t forget to go all the way upstairs to enjoy views across the city skyline.
There is a big renovation going on, that will last until 2030.
Musée de l’Orangerie
Located in the Jardin des Tuileries, Musée de l’Orangerie offers an intimate art experience. The museum is best known for Claude Monet’s Water Lilies, displayed in specially designed oval galleries that immerse visitors in the paintings. You’ll also find works by Impressionist and Post-Impressionist artists including Renoir and Cézanne.
Fondation Louis Vuitton
Mixing architecture with innovative exhibitions, Fondation Louis Vuitton has become one of Paris’s leading destinations for modern and contemporary art. In addition to exhibitions, the venue regularly hosts concerts, film screenings, and live performances. Since its programming changes frequently, every visit offers a different experience. So enough reasons to come back every time you visit Paris.
Musée Marmottan Monet
For those who love Claude Monet’s work, Musée Marmottan Monet is a must-visit in Paris. Housed in a former mansion, it contains the world’s largest collection of Monet paintings. Compared to many of Paris’s more famous museums, it’s usually a bit more quiet here which makes you able to enjoy the works and space more peacefully.
Palais de Tokyo
Located close to the Eiffel Tower, Palais de Tokyo is dedicated to contemporary creativity. The museum is known for its experimental approach, showcasing everything from immersive installations and performance art to digital projects and large-scale exhibitions. Palais de Tokyo has it all, and the program constantly changes.
Musée Yves Saint Laurent Paris
Fashion lovers will love this museum dedicated to one of France’s most influential designers. Through original sketches, couture creations, photographs, and multimedia displays, Musée Yves Saint Laurent Paris gives you a better look into the life and career of Yves Saint Laurent, while also showing how this iconic fashion house has changed over the years.
Petit Palais
Petit Palais houses the City of Paris Museum of Fine Arts. Its galleries feature paintings, sculptures, and decorative arts spanning several centuries, from the Middle Ages to the nineteenth century. It’s free to visit, and visitors can also rest in the museum’s peaceful courtyard garden.
The Louvre
As the world’s most visited museum, the Louvre remains one of Paris’s greatest cultural attractions and of course a must-visit museum in Paris. Many visitors come to see the Mona Lisa, but the museum’s collection offers way more than that. From ancient Egyptian artifacts to masterpieces by Caravaggio, the Louvre offers a journey through art history. Take your time, yet also know what you want to see. If not, you might end up here for a whole day.
Bourse de Commerce – Pinault Collection
Contemporary art meets historic architecture at Bourse de Commerce. The museum presents selections from François Pinault’s art collection inside a beautifully restored former commodities exchange. Renovated by Japanese architect Tadao Ando (visit his museum on Naoshima Art Island), the building itself is as impressive as the exhibitions it contains.
La Maison Européenne de la Photographie
Known simply as MEP, this museum is a favorite among photography enthusiasts (like me). Its collection focuses on international photography from the mid-twentieth century onward, while rotating exhibitions introduce visitors to both established and emerging photographers from around the world. A great place to learn about famous photographers, and get to know what’s happening in the scene right now.
Galerie nationale du Jeu de Paume
Specializing in photography, video, and contemporary visual culture, Galerie nationale du Jeu de Paume presents a dynamic program of temporary exhibitions. Its focus on modern media and artistic experimentation makes it a great addition to any cultural itinerary in Paris. It’s close to Musée de l’Orangerie, so you can visit them both if you’d like.
Musée d’Orsay
Set within a Beaux-Arts railway station on the banks of the Seine, Musée d’Orsay is home to one of the finest collections of nineteenth-century art in the world. Highlights include works by Van Gogh, Monet, Degas, and countless other masters of Impressionism and Post-Impressionism, alongside sculptures, photography, and decorative arts. The big names, the big works. A museum in Paris you don’t want to miss!
Musée de Montmartre
For a deeper understanding of one of Paris’s most artistic neighborhoods, visit Musée de Montmartre. One of my favorite activities while spending a morning in Montmartre. The museum tells you about the area’s transformation over time and highlights the writers, painters, and performers who used to walk around these streets. Explore the former studio of Suzanne Valadon and enjoy the museum’s charming gardens.
Musée d’Art Moderne de Paris
Located close to Palais de Tokyo, this museum showcases a range of twentieth- and twenty-first-century art. Be inspired by paintings, sculptures, fashion, design, film, and multimedia works. The permanent collection is free to visit, so make sure to check it out!
LE BAL
If you want to visit something else besides the more well-known museums in Paris? Make a stop at LE BAL. It focuses on photography, documentary imagery, and video installations. They also have a carefully selected collection of photography books! And take some time to relax in the museum café, and visit the neighborhood before or after.
Musée Albert-Kahn
Go on a little journey and visit Musée Albert-Kahn, where you’ll find a unique combination of photography, history, and landscape design. Dive into the photographic archives of Albert Kahn and enjoy the surrounding English and Japanese gardens. It creates a beautiful escape from the city’s busy streets. A little bit of Japan in Paris.
With more or less 130+ museums in Paris, there is enough to explore for art and culture lovers. The ones mentioned above, are some of my favorites. With each visit to the city, I try to explore some new ones, or visit the ones with new interesting exhibitions. The exploring never stops, and I love it.
If you’re interested in museums, here you can read about museums in Porto, my favorite museums in Madrid and favorite museums in Lisbon or check out my list with museums to visit in Mexico city and museums to visit in Oaxaca.
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