Museums to Visit in Paris During Your Next Trip

A bustling metropolis known for its stunning architecture, delicious food, and one-of-a-kind experiences, it’s no surprise that Paris is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the entire world. After all, you’ll never run out of things to do in Paris - here you can easily lose track of time as you visit boulangeries and patisseries in search of freshly-baked treats, peruse the busy boulevards lined with all sorts of shops for souvenirs, or simply just wander around for iconic sights that would look good on any postcard!

But woven into the fabric of daily life in Paris is its rich history – museums, after all, are one of the city’s biggest tourist draws for a reason: you can find all sorts of things in Paris’ many museums, ranging from TV sets and plans for iconic buildings at the science exhibits to priceless art pieces by Picasso, Monet, Van Gogh, and many others.

Planning to visit museums during your trip but don’t know where to start? Check out our favorite museums in Paris in the list below for some guidance:

Being one the largest and most visited museums in the world, The Louvre is definitely a must-see in Paris, and no trip to this city would be complete without visiting this iconic museum at least once! You may even be asking yourself: "How many tourists visit the Louvre each year?" – and we have just the answer for you: the Louvre has almost 10 million visitors every year, and you'll soon be one of them when you visit Paris.

Though it is most known for its pyramid roof and Leonardo da Vinci’s “Mona Lisa”, one of the many must see paintings at the Louvre, there is even more in the Louvre for visitors to see. You’ll need a lot of time to explore the multi-level museum and visit the various galleries that house more than 35,000 works of art, so make sure you go early so you can spend the entire day browsing the exhibits. Audio guides are available at an extra cost, and there are a variety of cafés and restaurants inside.

Klook Tip: Check the official website for the list of galleries open on the day of your intended visit. We wouldn’t want you to miss out on your favorite collections!

Though its eye-catching exterior of bright primary colors and exposed pipes is already a spectacle in itself, The Pompidou Center has more to admire within its walls. Featuring the largest collection of modern art in the entire world, The Pompidou Center features modern and contemporary masterpieces from Piet Mondrian, Frida Kahlo, Henri Matisse, Vassily Kandinsky, and many others. The Pompidou Center also showcases other types of art, with collections that focus on architecture, design, and visual arts, among others.

Klook Tip: Be prepared to take pics when you go up the escalator, as you’ll be greeted by a wonderful view of the city at the top. The rooftop section of Restaurant Georges also boasts equally-amazing views of Paris, which you can enjoy as you dine or have a drink.

A famous museum in Paris, Musée de l'Orangerie is home to Claude Monet’s ‘Nymphéas’ (water lilies) collection, which recreates scenes from Monet’s very own pond and water garden at his residence in Giverny. The Orangerie Museum is sure to be a treat for art connoisseurs who wish to immerse themselves in pieces from romantic and impressionist painters. Though Water Lilies, in which Monet produces relaxing scenes that depict how light, water, and color play with one another in our day-to-day lives, is the museum’s top draw, there are also pieces from other significant figures in art here, such as those from Henri Matisse, Pablo Picasso, and Pierre-Auguste Renoir.

See lifelike wax replicas of famous figures such as Lady Gaga, Bruce Willis, and more with a trip to Paris’ Grévin Museum. An ideal location for taking souvenir photos of your trip, it’s one of the most popular attractions in the city for groups of friends or families traveling with kids. Whether it’s posing with your favorite athlete as you play sports together or faking a duet performance with a singer, you’re sure to get cool photos you’ll remember forever! History buffs will love the collection of the most important historical figures in France, while kids can try entering the giant Kaleidoscope to watch the hypnotic sound and light show.

Located inside a former train station, the Orsay Museum is one of the most unique museums in Paris. But though the building and its history are already impressive as they are, the collections inside leave an even bigger impression: filled with impressionist and post-impressionist pieces from the 19th and 20th centuries, it’s the must-visit museum for fans of Monet, Van Gogh, Renoir, Degas, and other artists from this era. The museum also houses some Art Nouveau pieces and a selection of sculptures from the same period.

Klook Tip: Drop by the café for some food and drinks to see the big clock up close! It’s something you won’t want to miss during your visit.

Built for the 1900 Exposition Universelle (World Expo), the Petit Palais is known for two things: its majestic Belle Epoque architecture and the City of Paris Museum of Fine Arts inside. The building’s facade features a beautiful gilded gate surrounded by intricate carvings, which make for a wonderful subject or background for photos. Inside you’ll find art pieces and sculptures from Repin, Courbet, Rembrandt, and Carpeaux, among others. Take some time to admire the four murals at the entrance lobby (entitled Matter, Thought, Formal Beauty, and Mysticism), which were painted by Albert Besnard from 1903 to 1910. You’ll also find Art Nouveau exhibits downstairs, featuring decorative pieces from Emile Gallé and René Lalique.

Wander through the halls of Auguste Rodin’s very own home with a trip to the Rodin Museum, where Rodin spent the last few years of his life. Here you’ll find an eclectic collection of art pieces, both from Rodin himself and other notable names such as Van Gogh, Monet, Renoir, and even Camille Claudel, one of Rodin’s pupils. As you wander around the gardens, you’ll also see many other sculptures by Rodin - “The Thinker” and “The Burghers of Calais”, among others.

Inside Gustave Moreau’s apartment is a private gallery that he built to showcase his artwork. Opened in 1903, this multi-level gallery is considered by many to be one of Paris’ hidden gems and an ideal destination for those who want to spend a quiet day learning about art. There are around 1,300 paintings and 5,000 drawings on display, including his most famous piece “Jupiter and Samile”. You can also explore the actual living areas of the apartment, where you’ll find Moreau’s possessions in the dining room, bedroom, and his private study. For more information about the individual pieces and their background, you can bring a commentary board with you as you stroll through the museum, where you can read Gustave Moreau’s commentaries about his artwork.

Admission to the Musée National Gustave Moreau is included when you purchase the Paris Museum Pass.

Located near Parc Monceau is the Cernuschi Museum, which can be found at the private residence of economist and politician Henri Cernuschi. The museum houses more than 12,000 individual pieces inside with a focus on Asian art pieces (specifically from China, Japan, and Korea). An exhibit with artwork from French-Chinese artist Zao Wou-ki is also available at the museum, which consists of watercolor paintings, antique bronzes, and ceramics.

Klook Tip: Include Parc Monceau in your itinerary when you visit - the walk through the park and the upscale neighborhood its located in will add to the experience.

With our recommendations of museums to visit in Paris in mind, you can now start planning your dream vacation to the city of love. For more inspiration about where to go in Paris, check out the Klook Paris page or any of the recommended articles below.