Nothing screams a visit to Paris like a classic museum. The capital is full of attractions and activities, whether you want to take a boat trip on the Seine or visit the exhibitions of the Eiffel Tower. The city is famous for its art museums that present Asian Art, indigenous art, post-impressionist art and decorative Art. And Paris is a favorite of history buffs, with an abundance of World War II history and even stories of Napoleon Bonaparte and the cruel French Revolution. All this without taking into account the tourist sites with their own museum space such as the Arc de Triomphe and the exhibitions of the Eiffel Tower.
Most people visit Paris for a long weekend. If you only spend 2 to 3 days in Paris, these Parisian museums should be at the top of your itinerary. The best part is that, depending on where you are staying in Paris, you can walk to these museums or take a short metro ride. The best museums in Paris await you, easily accessible and full of fascinating collections.
The best Parisian museums: amazing museums in Paris
In this guide, we introduce you to the most incredible Parisian museums. Get ready to see everything from a Paul Guillaume collection to wax caskets to the Jewel of the Louvre itself-the legendary Mona Lisa. The chance to visit a museum in Paris is not to be missed. After reading this guide, you will be well equipped to create a museum itinerary of your life.
1. The Orsay Museum
The Orsay Museum is nothing less than artistic Magic. The large museum is located in an old train station with huge glass ceilings and one of the most famous clocks in the world. You can go directly to the top floor to look behind the glass dial and admire the Parisian cityscape below. Of course, people visit the Orsay Museum not only for its architecture, although this is a huge draw. It is also one of the most respected Parisian museums. The Musée D’Orsay has an extensive permanent collection of European art from the nineteenth to the twentieth century.
2. Museum Of Decorative Arts
Who is not overwhelmed by Decorative Art? The Museum of Decorative Arts is one of the most imposing museum buildings in Paris – which is saying a lot. And inside, it houses more than 6,000 different objects in a Haute Couture collection. The Decorative Arts Museum is located directly opposite the Louvre, overlooking the Tuileries Gardens. It is an accessible museum that can be combined with a visit to the Louvre or the Orangerie Museum.
3. Orangery Museum
The Orangery Museum is another favorite of Paris. This museum houses a world-renowned collection of twentieth-century European art, best known for its murals depicting Monet’s water lilies. Think of large framed paintings and a mix of permanent and temporary exhibitions. Although this museum is only small compared to some other art museums in Paris, its compact size makes it easy for visitors. It also experiences fewer crowds than the nearby Louvre Museum.
4. Grand Palace
The Grand Palais may be closed for renovation until later in 2024, but this Art Nouveau room simply had to be mentioned in this guide. The building was built in 1900 and its bold columnar facade and greenhouse-shaped ceiling are a popular sight in Paris. The Grand Palais is known for hosting a rapid rotation of temporary exhibitions, from Gertrude Stein and Pablo Picasso to an exhibition on Prosper Merimee. If you like the sound of an ever-changing and changing art center, the Grand Palais should be at the top of your must-visit.
