Paris offers a wide selection of museums and galleries covering fine art, archaeology, history, and decorative arts. Home to internationally renowned institutions such as the Louvre and Musée d’Orsay, the city also features smaller, specialised collections across various districts. Many museums are housed in historic buildings and include permanent and temporary exhibitions. This guide highlights some of the best museums and galleries in Paris for visitors interested in culture and heritage.
#1 Musee du Louvre
The Louvre Museum, located in central Paris, is the world’s most visited art museum. Housed in a former royal palace, it contains over 35,000 works, including the Mona Lisa, the Venus de Milo, and the Winged Victory of Samothrace. The collection spans ancient civilizations, European painting, sculpture, and decorative arts. The museum’s glass pyramid entrance has become a modern landmark. Admission is ticketed, with free entry on select days and times.
Official website: https://www.louvre.fr/en
Google map 4.7/5
#2 Musee d’Orsay
The Musée d’Orsay is located on the Left Bank of the Seine in a former railway station. It houses a major collection of French art from 1848 to 1914, including painting, sculpture, and decorative arts. The museum is best known for its Impressionist and Post-Impressionist works by Monet, Degas, Renoir, and Van Gogh. Exhibitions are arranged chronologically, and the museum regularly hosts temporary shows alongside its permanent collection. Admission is ticketed.
Official website: https://www.musee-orsay.fr/en
Google map 4.7/5
#3 Petit Palais
Petit Palais is a Beaux-Arts museum situated opposite the Grand Palais, constructed for the 1900 Exposition Universelle. As the Museum of Fine Arts for the City of Paris, it houses an eclectic collection ranging from ancient artifacts to 19th-century paintings. Visitors can admire works by artists such as Rembrandt, Monet, and Delacroix while exploring the ornate architecture, courtyard garden, and mosaic-adorned galleries.
Official website: https://www.petitpalais.paris.fr/en
Google map 4.7/5
#4 Musee de l’Orangerie
Musee de L’Orangerie – Art Museum Located in the Tuileries Gardens, the Musée de l’Orangerie features a collection of Impressionist and Post-Impressionist paintings, including Monet’s famous “Water Lilies” series.
Official website: https://www.musee-orangerie.fr/en
Google map 4.6/5
#5 Musee Rodin
Musée Rodin is an art museum dedicated to the works of Auguste Rodin, a renowned French sculptor. Housed in the Hôtel Biron, visitors can explore over 6,000 sculptures, including “The Thinker” and “The Gates of Hell,” as well as the surrounding gardens.
Official website: https://www.musee-rodin.fr/en
Google map 4.6/5
#6 Les Pavillons de Bercy – Musée des Arts Forains
Les Pavillons de Bercy – Musée des Arts Forains is a private museum located in the Bercy district of Paris. It showcases a collection of fairground art, including historic carousels, games, and theatre sets from the 19th and 20th centuries. Housed in former wine warehouses, the museum offers guided tours and interactive exhibits. It provides visitors with insight into European fairground culture within a unique and atmospheric setting in eastern Paris.
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#7 Musee du Quai Branly
Musée du Quai Branly is a cultural institution dedicated to the indigenous art and cultures of Africa, Asia, Oceania, and the Americas. The museum houses over 300,000 artifacts, including textiles, sculptures, and paintings, and features a vertical garden on its façade.
Official website: https://www.quaibranly.fr/en/
Google map 4.6/5
#8 Grand Palais
Grand Palais is a historic Beaux-Arts exhibition hall and museum complex. Hosting major art exhibitions, cultural events, and Paris Fashion Week, the venue boasts an impressive glass-domed roof and intricate ironwork, making it an architectural gem in its own right.
Official website: https://www.grandpalais.fr/en
Google map 4.5/5
#9 Musée Carnavalet (art museum)
The Musée Carnavalet, located in Paris’s Marais district, is dedicated to the history of Paris. Housed in two adjoining Renaissance mansions, it features a vast collection of artifacts, paintings, and decorative arts chronicling the city’s evolution from ancient times to the modern era. Highlights include relics of the French Revolution and reconstructed historic interiors. Following a recent renovation, the museum offers an enhanced experience for those exploring Paris’s rich cultural heritage.
Official website: https://www.carnavalet.paris.fr/en
Google map 4.7/5
#10 Musée de l’Armée (Army Museum)
The Musée de l’Armée, located at Les Invalides in Paris, is one of the world’s premier military history museums. Established in 1905, it houses an extensive collection of weaponry, armor, and artifacts spanning centuries. Highlights include Napoleon Bonaparte’s tomb and exhibits on both world wars. The museum’s galleries provide insights into French and global military history, making it a significant destination for history enthusiasts and cultural visitors alike.
Official website: https://www.musee-armee.fr/en/
Google map 4.6/5
#11 Le Centre Pompidou
Le Centre Pompidou, located in the Beaubourg area of Paris, is a modern art and cultural hub. Opened in 1977, its unique architectural design, with external escalators and color-coded pipes, is a landmark of high-tech style. The museum houses the Musée National d’Art Moderne, featuring works by Picasso, Kandinsky, and Warhol. It also includes a public library and performance spaces, offering a dynamic cultural experience in the heart of Paris.
Official website: https://www.centrepompidou.fr/en/
Google map 4.4/5
#12 Musée Marmottan Monet
The Musée Marmottan Monet, located in Paris’s 16th arrondissement, is renowned for its extensive collection of Impressionist art. Housed in a former hunting lodge, it features the largest collection of Claude Monet’s works, including the iconic Impression, Sunrise. The museum also showcases pieces by Berthe Morisot, Edgar Degas, and other Impressionists. Its intimate setting and focus on Impressionism make it a unique destination for art enthusiasts visiting Paris.
Official website: https://www.marmottan.fr/en/
Google map 4.6/5
#13 Musée des Arts et Métiers
The Musée des Arts et Métiers, located in Paris’s 3rd arrondissement, is a museum dedicated to innovation and industrial design. Founded in 1794, it houses over 80,000 artifacts, including scientific instruments, models, and inventions. Notable exhibits include Foucault’s pendulum and early prototypes of airplanes and automobiles. The museum highlights the evolution of technology and its impact on society, offering an educational experience for those interested in engineering and scientific history.
Official website: https://www.arts-et-metiers.net/
Google map 4.6/5
#14 Musée Curie
Musée Curie is located in the 5th arrondissement of Paris within the Curie Institute. It is dedicated to the life and work of Marie Curie and her family’s contributions to science. The museum includes her preserved laboratory, scientific instruments, and personal memorabilia. Exhibits cover research on radioactivity and its medical applications. Visitors gain insight into early 20th-century physics and chemistry, as well as Marie Curie’s pioneering achievements in these fields.
Official website: https://musee.curie.fr (only in French)
Google map 4.6/5
#15 Grande Galerie de l’Évolution (Gallery of Evolution)
The Grande Galerie de l’Évolution is part of the National Museum of Natural History in Paris, located in the Jardin des Plantes. It presents extensive exhibits on biodiversity and the evolution of species. The gallery features mounted animal specimens, interactive displays, and themed sections on marine, terrestrial, and extinct species. Its large 19th-century hall has been modernised with contemporary exhibition design, offering visitors an educational experience on natural history and environmental change.
Official website: https://www.jardindesplantesdeparis.fr/en/galeries
Google map 4.6/5
#16 Musée Bourdelle (Bourdelle Museum)
Musée Bourdelle is located in the Montparnasse area of Paris and is dedicated to the sculptor Antoine Bourdelle. The museum occupies his former studio and includes exhibition halls and gardens displaying his works. It features sculptures, plaster casts, drawings, and personal artefacts. The collection highlights Bourdelle’s role in early 20th-century sculpture and his influence as a teacher. Visitors can explore both interior galleries and an outdoor sculpture garden within the museum complex.
Official website: https://www.bourdelle.paris.fr/en
Google map 4.6/5
#17 Musée de Montmartre
Musée de Montmartre is located in the historic Montmartre district of Paris. Housed in a 17th-century building, it presents the history of Montmartre as an artistic centre. Exhibits include paintings, posters, and artefacts related to artists such as Renoir and Toulouse-Lautrec. The museum also features recreated studios and period rooms. Its gardens, once painted by Renoir, offer views over Montmartre, providing visitors with cultural context and historical insight into the area’s artistic heritage.
Official website: https://museedemontmartre.fr/en/
Google map 4.6/5
#18 Maison de Victor Hugo
The Maison de Victor Hugo, located in the Place des Vosges in Paris, is a museum dedicated to the life and work of the celebrated French writer Victor Hugo. Housed in his former residence, the museum features personal artifacts, manuscripts, and illustrations related to his literary achievements, including Les Misérables and The Hunchback of Notre-Dame. It provides insights into Hugo’s creative process and political activism, offering a glimpse into 19th-century Parisian culture.
Official website: https://www.maisonsvictorhugo.paris.fr/en
Google map 4.5/5
#19 Jeu de Paume
The Jeu de Paume, located in the Tuileries Gardens in Paris, is a museum dedicated to contemporary photography and media arts. Originally built in 1861 as a tennis court for the game “jeu de paume,” it has been repurposed to showcase modern photographic works. The museum hosts temporary exhibitions featuring international artists, contributing significantly to Paris’s contemporary art scene. It plays a vital role in promoting visual culture.
Official website: https://jeudepaume.org/en/
Google map 4.5/5
#20 Musée Jacquemart-André
The Musée Jacquemart-André, located in Paris’s 8th arrondissement, is a prestigious museum housed in a 19th-century mansion. Once the private home of art collectors Édouard André and Nélie Jacquemart, it showcases an impressive collection of paintings, sculptures, and decorative arts. Highlights include works by Rembrandt, Botticelli, and Fragonard. The museum’s opulent interiors, complemented by a charming café, offer visitors a glimpse into Parisian high society and artistic heritage.
Official website: https://www.musee-jacquemart-andre.com/en
Google map 4.5/5
#21 Palais de Tokyo
The Palais de Tokyo, located in Paris’s 16th arrondissement, is a contemporary art center showcasing cutting-edge exhibitions and installations. Opened in 2002, it occupies a historic building originally constructed for the 1937 Exposition Internationale. Known for its unconventional and avant-garde approach, the venue features works by emerging and established artists across various media. With a dynamic program and innovative spaces, the Palais de Tokyo is a significant destination for contemporary art enthusiasts.
Official website: https://palaisdetokyo.com/en/
Google map 4.4/5
#22 Musée d’Art Moderne de Paris
The Musée d’Art Moderne de Paris, situated in the 16th arrondissement, is dedicated to 20th and 21st-century art. Located within the Palais de Tokyo, it houses a vast collection of works by artists such as Picasso, Braque, and Delaunay. Notable exhibits include La Fée Electricité by Raoul Dufy. The museum offers free access to its permanent collection, making it an essential destination for modern art enthusiasts exploring Paris.
Official website: https://www.mam.paris.fr/en
Google map 4.5/5
#23 Muséum National d’Histoire Naturelle (Natural History Museum)
The Muséum National d’Histoire Naturelle, located in Paris’s Jardin des Plantes, is a leading institution for natural history. Established in 1793, it features extensive exhibits on zoology, paleontology, and geology. Highlights include the Grande Galerie de l’Évolution, displaying thousands of animal specimens, and a comprehensive fossil collection. The museum also conducts scientific research and conservation. Its engaging displays and educational focus make it a prominent destination for science enthusiasts and families.
Official website: https://www.mnhn.fr/en
Google map 4.5/5
#24 Musée des Arts Décoratifs
The Musée des Arts Décoratifs, located in the Louvre Palace in Paris, is dedicated to decorative arts and design. Its extensive collection spans furniture, textiles, ceramics, jewelry, and graphic arts from the Middle Ages to the present. Highlights include period room reconstructions and contemporary design exhibitions. The museum offers a comprehensive exploration of artistic craftsmanship and innovation, making it a significant destination for those interested in design and applied arts.
Official website: https://madparis.fr/en
Google map 4.5/5
#25 Fondation Louis Vuitton
The Fondation Louis Vuitton, located in Paris’s Bois de Boulogne, is a contemporary art museum and cultural center. Designed by architect Frank Gehry and opened in 2014, its striking glass structure resembles a ship’s sails. The museum hosts rotating exhibitions featuring modern and contemporary art, as well as performances and educational programs. Combining innovative architecture with artistic exploration, the Fondation Louis Vuitton is a prominent cultural destination in Paris.
Official website: https://www.fondationlouisvuitton.fr/en/
Google map 4.5/5
#26 Dali Museum
The Dalí Museum, known as Espace Dalí, is located in Montmartre, Paris. It is dedicated to the works of Salvador Dalí, featuring a collection of his sculptures, engravings, and lithographs. The museum focuses on his surrealist art and creative process, displaying pieces related to themes such as dreams, mythology, and literature. Espace Dalí offers visitors an insight into Dalí’s artistic legacy within an intimate exhibition space in a historic artistic district.
Official website: https://www.daliparis.com/en/
Google map 4.5/5
#27 Musée de Cluny
The Musée de Cluny, also known as the National Museum of the Middle Ages, is located in Paris’s Latin Quarter. Housed in a 15th-century Gothic mansion and ancient Roman baths, it showcases a vast collection of medieval art and artifacts. Highlights include the renowned The Lady and the Unicorn tapestry series. The museum offers insights into medieval history and culture, making it a significant destination for art and history enthusiasts.
Official website: https://www.musee-moyenage.fr/en/
Google map 4.4/5
#28 Picasso Museum
The Picasso Museum, located in Paris’s Marais district, is dedicated to the works of Pablo Picasso. Housed in the 17th-century Hôtel Salé, it features over 5,000 pieces, including paintings, sculptures, drawings, and ceramics. The museum provides a comprehensive view of Picasso’s artistic evolution and includes personal archives and letters. Its collection spans multiple periods, offering insights into the artist’s influence on modern art and his enduring cultural significance.
Official website: https://www.museepicassoparis.fr/en/
Google map 4.3/5