Paris Museums – The Great Ones You Don't Want To Miss

From the historic halls of the Louvre to the modernistic Centre Pompidou, there are over 150 Paris museums, some of them among the most-visited in the world. The plethora of Paris museums span a millennia of art history and culture. Whether you're there for the artwork or for the artifacts, they are the gateways to centuries of human achievement, French style.

Navigating this treasure trove can feel overwhelming. Luckily, we're here to tell you all you need to know. With collections spanning prehistoric artifacts to avant-garde installations, there's something for everyone at Paris museums. Let's dive into the must-see museums and practical tips to make the most of your Parisian cultural journey.

The Louvre Museum – Grandmaster Flash

The Louvre is synonymous with Paris museums, boasting a collection that spans millennia. Step inside this historic palace to view world-famous works like the Mona Lisa and the Winged Victory of Samothrace. The museum's diverse collection includes antiquities, Renaissance masterpieces, and Islamic art, making it a must-visit for anyone coming to Paris.

Despite its size and popularity, the Louvre can be easily navigated if you plan ahead. Opt for a skip-the-line tour to save time and focus on the highlights. While the iconic pieces draw the crowds, don't miss lesser-known treasures like the medieval moat in the basement or the serene galleries of French sculpture. Each corner of the museum offers something to marvel at, whether it's the intricate ceilings or the view of the glass pyramid from inside the courtyard.

Musée d'Orsay – The Impressionist Gem

Van Gogh, Manet, Monet and all the most famous Impressionist painters, together under one roof. Musée d'Orsay is a jewel of a museum and one of our favorite places to be in Paris. Plan to spend at least a full morning viewing the Impressionists and other 19th-century French artists, and then have lunch in the museum's spectacular Belle Époque dining room.

This museum is as much about its architecture as its art. The grand clock, the soaring ceilings, and the open layout make exploring the galleries a joy. The museum's organization is visitor-friendly, with clear thematic sections that guide you through the evolution of modern art. Pro tip: Start your visit on the top floor for breathtaking views of Paris and work your way down through the galleries. The gift shop is also worth a stop.

Skip-the-Line Paris Museums Tours

As part of our neverending quest to avoid waiting in line, we've collected the top-rated, skip-the-line Paris museum tours. Paris museums are popular, and long lines eat into your precious time. That's why booking skip-the-line tours is a smart choice. These guided experiences not only fast-track your entry but also enhance your visit with expert commentary.

For first-time visitors especially, these tours are invaluable. A knowledgeable guide brings context to the iconic works, from deciphering the mysteries of the Mona Lisa at the Louvre to uncovering the symbolism in Rodin’s sculptures at Musée d'Orsay. Some tours even combine multiple museums, allowing you to see more in a single day. Look for tours that limit group size for a more personalized experience.

Musée Carnavalet – The History of Paris

Musée Carnavalet inner courtyard

This rambling museum is the perfect place to discover the history of Paris. It's rarely crowded and has many fascinating permanent exhibits as well as a pretty garden to relax in. Access to the permanent galleries are free. A grand re-opening in 20201 revealed an expanded, refreshed museum that's a delight to visit.

Located in a historic mansion in the Marais district, Musée Carnavalet is as charming as its collection. Stroll through recreated 18th-century rooms and marvel at the antique furniture, or browse the extensive collection of paintings that capture Parisian life through the ages.

Musée de l'Orangerie – Monet's Water Lilies

You may know that Musée de l'Orangerie is famous for its eight huge canvases of Monet's Nymphéas, or waterlilies. These are amazing and important pieces of 20th-century art.

But did you know that the building also houses what was possibly the finest private collection of 20th-century masters? The Guillaume Galleries, on the lower floor, are fat with paintings by Renoir, Picasso, Matisse, Modigliani and many other leading artists. If you love painting, this is one museum you don't want to miss.

Petit Palais Paris

The Petit Palais may be small — petit — for Paris museums, but we consider it one of the top museums of the city. There are eight major collections and a half-dozen special exhibitions most years. And it's not just the collections that are magnificent, the building itself is a work of art featuring stained glass windows, mosaics, and massive iron gates.

What makes the Petit Palais even more special is its serene courtyard garden, perfect for a quiet moment during your cultural explorations. Highlights include works by Delacroix and Courbet, as well as an impressive collection of Art Nouveau pieces. One more thing — since this is a City of Paris museum, admission is free. You can't beat that!

Paris Museum Of Modern Art

Pompidou Centre is interesting, huge, busy, and filled with great modern art. But to our way of thinking, there's a more enjoyable modern art museum in Paris — the Museum of Modern Art of the City of Paris.

Centrally located on the banks of the Seine, in a classic 1930s palace, this Paris museum of modern art is less well-known then the Pompidou, less crowded, and entrance is free. Yet it's absolutely filled with great works by the most dynamic modern artists. It's a place you won't want to miss.

Don't Miss the Arab World Institute

Arab World Institute Paris exterior at night, original photo Architecturestudio

Looking for a Paris museum that doesn't just dust off old statues? Head straight for the Institut du Monde Arabe Paris. This shimmering masterpiece mixes art, design, and debate with a view that'll knock your cafe au lait off the table.

Permanent exhibitions span centuries, while temporary shows tackle today's hottest issues. Rooftop views? Stunning. Tagines upstairs? Legendary. If you want Paris with a little spice (and a lot less crowd), the Arab World Institute delivers. Bring your curiosity — and your appetite.

The Paris Natural History Museum

A parade of animals at the Grande Galerie de l'Évolution, photo MNHN

Forget what you think you know about science museums — the Paris Natural History Museum is anything but ordinary. Nestled in the historic Jardin des Plantes, this treasure trove of science, evolution, and biodiversity is a must-visit for anyone who loves a good story (or a really big dinosaur skeleton).

From taxidermy zebras to dazzling minerals, every exhibit has a way of pulling you in, making you see the world in a whole new light. Whether you're a die-hard science person or just looking for something off the beaten tourist path, this place delivers curiosity, awe, and just a little existential dread.

Centre Pompidou – France's Modern Art Museum

Centre Pompidou is the converse of the Orsay Museum. Instead of 19th-century French artists, Pompidou is filled with the masters of 20th- and 21st-century modern art such as Warhol, Kandinsky, Duchamp, and of course Picasso.

Famous for showing its skeleton on the outside, Centre Pompidou was controversial when it was first built, costing one billion French francs. Inside, you'll find works by Picasso, Kandinsky, and Duchamp, as well as thought-provoking temporary exhibitions.

The library and cinema add to its multidisciplinary appeal, while the rooftop terrace offers amazing views of Paris. Even if you're not a modern art aficionado, the atmosphere and cutting-edge installations make the Centre Pompidou an intriguing destination. NOTE: the Pompidou will close in Fall 2025 for a renovation that will last until at least 2030.

The Grand Palais – Exhibitions & Events

The Grand Palais is the big brother of the Petit Palais and located directly across the street. (That street being Avenue Winston-Churchill.) Both palais were built for the Paris Universal Exposition of 1900, along with the avenue itself and the bridge Alexandre III that connects across the Seine to Les Invalides.

The Grand Palais is really three major spaces in one. It houses the great science museum, Palais de la Découverte, a couple of large galleries for major art shows, and the nave, the famous glass-domed vault that hosts annual expositions. There's a lot going on in this massive space.

Musée du Luxembourg

It may seem odd to include among these great institutions one of the few Paris museums without a collection or permanent exhibits; one that is only open for a few periods a year. But Musée du Luxembourg, next to the jardin of the same name, stages fascinating special exhibitions, all of which are worth seeing. The museum is able to bring extraordinary pieces from around the world to shows that focus on an artist, a period, or a narrow theme.

Bourse de Commerce Paris – Contemporary Art

The Bourse de Commerce Paris, housed in a stunningly restored building, is a masterpiece in its own right. Home to the Pinault Collection, this museum combines contemporary art with an historic architectural setting. The juxtaposition of cutting-edge exhibitions with the 18th-century rotunda creates a unique experience for art enthusiasts. Located in the heart of Paris, it's quickly become an essential destination for exploring the intersection of art, history, and modernity.

The Paris Museum Pass

Long ticket lines at the major museums can be discouraging, especially when you have so little time in Paris. The Paris Museum Pass can help to avoid that discouragement. Not only do you save money and have unlimited access to something like 60 Paris museums & attractions, you also get to skip those long ticket lines. Being able to walk past those lines is alone worth the cost of the pass.

Free Paris Museums

Did you know you could spend a week in Paris, see a dozen museums, and not part with a single Euro? Do it by visiting the fascinating free museums that are found throughout the city. Most of the museums owned by the City of Paris offer free entrance to their regular exhibits.

Interested in the history of Paris? The museum is free. So is the City of Paris Museum of Modern Art, the museum of the French Resistance in World War II, The Beaux Arts museum at the Petit Palais and many other really fascinating Paris museums.

Paris Museum News

You've heard us say that Paris keeps getting better. That adage applied as well to Paris museums in 2022, when renovations and restorations to keep them updated and refreshed were in full flow. During the early 2020s, even with a pandemic and lockdown, there were ten museums in the city that were either brand new or received facelifts — from one of the oldest museums in the city, Musée Carnavalet, to one of the newest, Bourse de Commerce.