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Visit | Reviewing 17 Incredible Museums in Paris

I’ve had the privilege of visiting many museums in Paris. Each one with a distinct offering, artistic high points and housed within architectural marvels. Here I review 17 of these incredible institutions, what they offer and why you should consider visiting.

1. Louvre

Tickets: Website [Free admission with reservation the first Friday of the month after 6 p.m. (except in July and August)]
Address: 75001 Paris, France
Collection Size: Large

We begin with the world famous Louvre. Home of the Mona Lisa and The Winged Victory. You need to accept you won’t be able to see absolutely everything as that will take at least 20 more visits and possibly another lifetime. I recommend reviewing the map right when you enter, pick out 3-4 rooms of interest and prioritize what you will see. This is a very large building and depending on your areas of interest, it takes quite some time to walk from one end to the other.

2. Musée d’Orsay

Tickets: Website [Free admission the 1st Sunday of the month, with reservation]
Address: Esplanade Valéry Giscard d’Estaing, 75007 Paris, France
Collection Size: Large

The d’Orsay across the river from the Louvre houses popular impressionist and post-impressionist works. If you’re seeking the most recognizable impressionist works, they are located on the 5th floor. It’s so popular that the building has a dedicated set of elevators at the back to take visitors directly there. The building itself is a converted railway station with two large clocks that are great for photos and a view of Paris.

3. Musée des Arts Décoratifs

Tickets: Website
Address: 107 Rue de Rivoli, 75001 Paris, France
Collection Size: Large

This museum next to the Louvre is dedicated to the decorative arts. Its vast collection spans objects, housewares, furniture and sculpture across the centuries and across styles. From Art Nouveau furniture to space-age chairs and a hippo sculpture, this building takes you through history and the different ways design has accompanied civilization. Unlike its neighbours, it’s a surprisingly quiet museum but one whose collection is not to miss.

4. Musée de l’Orangerie

Tickets: Website [Free admission the first Sunday of the month, with reservation]
Address: Jardin des Tuileries, 75001 Paris, France
Collection Size: Small

At the west end of the Tuileries Garden lies the museum featuring Monet’s water lilies displayed in oval-shaped rooms. This smaller, intimate building draws a high amount of visitors so purchasing tickets online though not mandatory, is essential to avoiding a potentially long line-up outside.

5. Musée Carnavalet

Tickets: Admission is free
Address: 23 Rue de Sévigné, 75003 Paris, France
Collection Size: Medium

This museum focuses on the history of Paris. It is a wonderful introduction to the city located in the historic Marais district. Visitors explore how the city of light has evolved and find a perfectly manicured swirling garden in the centre of the building.

6. Musée National Picasso-Paris

Tickets: Website [Free admission the first Sunday of the month, no reservations needed]
Address: 5 Rue de Thorigny, 75003 Paris, France
Collection Size: Medium

This was one of the most well-curated museums I’d ever been to. Presenting the titular artist and the vast catalogue he produced in his lifetime, this museum is a testament to his talents, character, and ambitions. The collection is surprisingly large and if you add visiting the current exhibition, several hours are needed to digest the showcase.

7. Musée Rodin

Tickets: Website [Free admission the first Sunday of the month, from October to March. No reservations needed]
Address: 77 Rue de Varenne, 75007 Paris, France
Collection Size: Medium

Visitors to the Rodin museum find masterpieces like The Thinker and Monument to the Burghers of Calais upon arrival in the sculpture garden. Further exploration into the building lies extensive pieces from throughout his career and feature a room adorned with exquisite works from the magnificent Camille Claudel.

8. Dalí Paris

Tickets: Website
Address: 11 Rue Poulbot, 75018 Paris, France
Collection Size: Small

This museum has a smaller collection (300~ works) compared to the biggest institutions around Paris. However, each piece will have you staring at the masterwork, taking in its subject, angles, and proportions. Although it’s next to the popular Sacre Coeur, this is a surprisingly quiet museum. Visitors are lead out of the museum via an exit that is actually the next door gallery where you have the opportunity to purchase originals from the artist.

9. Petit Palais

Tickets: Admission to the permanent collection is free (exhibitions may be extra)
Address: Av. Winston Churchill, 75008 Paris, France
Collection Size: Medium

Housed in one of the most stunning buildings around Paris, Petit Palais is unmistakable with its gold adorned gates. However, the awe continues inside with visitors being greeted by a sculpture pavilion, and vaulted, painted ceilings. The collection is of the highest calibre telling the story of struggle and triumph in Paris through the centuries.

10. Musée d’Art Moderne de Paris (MAM)

Tickets: Admission to the permanent collection is free (exhibitions may be extra)
Address: 11 Av. du Président Wilson, 75116 Paris, France
Collection Size: Medium

This museum is organized into artistic movements and its sizeable collection is housed in an airy modern building. Featuring La Fée Électricité by Raoul Dufy set in its own room on the entry level, the permanent collection is free although exhibitions may be extra. Don’t miss checking out what Palais de Tokyo might be exhibiting next door.

11. Musée de la Chasse et de la Nature

Tickets: Website [Free admission the first Sunday of the month]
Address: 62 Rue des Archives, 75003 Paris, France
Collection Size: Medium

The Museum of Hunting and Nature features a collection of taxidermied animals, rifles, paintings and furniture. Located in the Marais neighbourhood, visitors find a quiet and fascinating museum with an endless number of objects showcasing the history of hunting.

12. Musée Marmottan Monet

Tickets: Website
Address: 2 Rue Louis Boilly, 75016 Paris, France
Collection Size: Small

Located in the Passy neighbourhood, this museum is set in a mansion featuring a large collection of Monet’s catalogue. In addition, there are dedicated sections of the building to exhibit Eugène Boudin as well as Berthe Morisot.

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13. La Galerie Dior

Tickets: Website
Address: 11 Rue François 1er, 75008 Paris, France
Collection Size: Medium

La Galerie Dior displays an extensive collection of elegant couture that the House of Dior has produced over its history. Visitors begin their journey at the top of the building, learning about Christian Dior’s life and career. They are then led through the unique interior space as witness to archival pieces expressing the house’s enduring contributions to excellence in fashion.

14. Musée du Chocolat

Tickets: Website
Address: 28 Bd de Bonne Nouvelle, 75010 Paris, France
Collection Size: Small

The Chocolate Museum (or Choco-Story) is a family friendly museum telling the story of cocoa production and the consumption of chocolate. Visitors get to try different types of chocolate and understand just how recently we began to consume this sweet treat as we know it today.

15. Musée Vivant du fromage

Tickets: Website
Address: 39 Rue Saint-Louis en l’Île, 75004 Paris, France
Collection Size: Small

Although not a vast collection of any kind, visitors come through this museum as groups hosted by a knowledgable guide teaching all about the production of cheese. The tour is succinct, intimate, and best of all, guests get to sample several types of cheese while learning about their differences.

16. Mundolingua

Tickets: Website
Address: 10 Rue Servandoni, 75006 Paris, France
Collection Size: Small

This fascinating museum is located just north of the famous Jardin du Luxembourg and focuses on language and linguistics. Visitors dive into a plethora of facts and information through print cards, maps, screens, sounds and more. This small but packed space is a very quiet place to do a ton of learning.

17. Fondation Louis Vuitton

Tickets: Website
Address: 8 Av. du Mahatma Gandhi, 75116 Paris, France

This massive engineering marvel stands at the north end of the Bois de Boulogne. There is no permanent collection so be sure to check their website for what’s on and to purchase tickets. The collection on exhibition during my visit (David Hockney) was vast and well curated. Many other museums in Paris display exhibitions only and are worth checking out their current programming. In addition to Fondation Louis Vuitton, they include:

I hope you’ve enjoyed this article and found something interesting and useful. If you are specifically an admirer of impressionist painters, check out my article the Best 3 Paris Museums for Impressionist Lovers. Safe travels!