Visit | Best 3 Paris Museums for Impressionist Lovers

Since childhood, I’ve been drawn to impressionist works.

Going to Paris, seeing pieces I’ve stared at through books and screens my entire life was what I most looked forward to.

The city delivered magnificently. Renoir’s Bal du Moulin de la Galette, Monet’s water lilies, and Morisot’s Portrait of a Young Girl are ten folds better when standing in front of the real thing.

Here are my favourite 3 museum recommendations for those who also adore the impressionist era.

Collection Size: Large
Free Admissions: First Sunday of the month
Tickets: Website

If you only have time for one museum to find those impressionist artworks, this is the one. This historical building houses a stunning collection from top to bottom. [map]

Pros:

• Easy navigation thanks to the map found at the information desk
• There is a special set of escalators toward the back to the building to take you straight to the 5th floor where major impressionist works are

Cons:

• Extremely crowded and flooded with photography

Collection Size: Small
Free Admissions: First Sunday of the month
Tickets: Website

This small but essential museum is home of Monet’s water lilies. Located at the west end of the Tuileries Garden across the river from the D’Orsay. [map]

Pros:

• A quicker museum to visit given its clear highlight and smaller collection

Cons:

• Online reservations essential. Lines for non ticket holders can be slow and long

Collection Size: Medium
Admission To the Permanent Collection is Free

I did not know what to expect from Petit Palais but it turned out to be one of the most well-rounded collections I saw. Housed in a building that is most beautiful inside and out, its works are themed around Paris’ history. The works are of the highest calibre and portray a city that has struggled, endured, and triumphed. [map]

Pros:

• Quieter museum with a range of sculpture, object, paintings, and exhibitions
• Outstanding works from impressionists including Monet and Morisot
• Smaller but easily digestible collection

Cons:

• Some rooms close early. Recommend to visit in the morning or early afternoon

Monet’s House is located in Giverny where he gardened and painted for 20 years. It takes roughly 120 minutes total to get there from Paris (take the train to Vernon-Giverny (90 minutes) where local mini shuttles cost 5 euros and drive you from the station to the house in 20 minutes). The trip was easy and everyone getting out at Vernon station is going the same way.

Pros:

• See Monet’s preserved studio covered in artworks as well as his home populated by pieces from his artist friends
• Walk through his gardens with green bridges, ponds, and flowers that continue to bloom more than 100 years on

Cons:

• It can get quite hot inside the house depending on the time of year as it is an old building without air conditioning
• Can be very crowded throughout the property especially in the afternoon as tour buses make their stop here

I hope you’ve enjoyed this article and found something interesting to look forward to. For more about the various museums you can visit in Paris, check out my review of 17 Incredible Museums in Paris.

Safe travels!