Welcome to Paris, a city where every corner echoes with the whispers of history, where art breathes life into stone walls, and culture is woven into the very fabric of its streets. The City of Lights is absolutely brimming with world-famous attractions that offer a thoughtful insight into the world around us, many of which are hidden within the best museums in Paris.

There are more than 130 individual museums and art galleries scattered throughout Paris, from the distinguished Louvre, home to the “Mona Lisa,” to the Musée Picasso Paris, where you can gaze at incredible pieces created by the surrealist master. Each of the spectacular buildings on this list acts as a portal, promising a journey filled with creativity and knowledge for everyone who steps inside.

Whether you’re an art aficionado seeking the avant-garde or a history enthusiast eager to trace the footsteps of bygone eras, the best Paris museums will provide you with endless hours of entertainment!

The 10 Must-Visit Museums in Paris, France

1. Musée du Louvre

The Louvre, an iconic art gallery that’s famous around the world, requires little introduction. Undoubtedly one of the best art museums in Paris, the Louvre is also the most-visited museum on the planet, welcoming over 7.8 million visitors in 2022.

Originally a royal palace, the Louvre is now a remarkable repository where you’ll find some of the world’s most iconic artworks, including the prominent “Mona Lisa.” But there’s much more to see here than the model’s beguiling smile.

Housing around 35,000 artworks and artifacts spanning from prehistory to the 21st century, the Louvre offers an extensive cultural panorama. The “Venus de Milo,” the “Raft of the Medusa,” “Psyche Revived by Cupid’s Kiss,” and the “Pyramid” are just a tiny example of the other breathtaking works of art you’ll see here.

2. Grand Palais

The Grand Palais is an exceptional Paris art museum best known for two things – hosting glamorous Chanel runway shows within its grandiose Beaux-Arts Nave and the notable art exhibitions it contains within. 

Originally built in 1900 for the World’s Fair, there are three areas to explore here: the Nave, the Palais de la Découverte, and the Galeries Nationales. The Nave is a large glass-roofed space that has been used for high-end events, while the Palais de la Découverte is a science museum and the Galeries Nationales house temporary art exhibitions.

3. Petit Palais

As you’d expect from the name, the Petit Palais is the smaller sibling of the Grand Palais, but don’t let the “little” fool you. One of the top art museums in Paris, Petit Palais exudes a considerable stately charm and a fascinating collection of artwork.

Like the Grand Palais, the Petit Palais was created by Charles Girault for the 1900 World’s Fair. Just two years later, it was transformed into a museum. The architectural splendor was designed to be a tribute to the arts and Paris as a whole, originally showcasing decorative murals and sculptures.

One of the best things about this art gallery is that the permanent collection is completely free to enjoy. Because of this, the Petit Palais is often busy, with visitors stopping by to bask in the serene ambiance and soak up the sunlight in its picturesque garden.

4. Centre Pompidou

When the Centre Pompidou, also known as the Beaubourg, first opened its doors to the public in 1977, its avant-garde design stirred both radical admiration and controversy. One of the must-see museums in Paris, the Centre Pompidou boasts a bizarre façade featuring industrial pipes and huge glass panels that many people were unsure belonged in the city. 

Over four decades later, the Centre Pompidou has since solidified its status as one of the coolest art museums in Paris and one that should definitely be on your to-visit list. Home to a colossal collection of over 100,000 pieces spanning from 1905 onwards, the museum showcases a diverse range of art styles, from Picasso paintings to cutting-edge video installations.

Visit on the first Sunday of the month, and you can visit the permanent collection and the children’s gallery for free.

5. Fondation Cartier pour l’Art Contemporain

One of the best Paris Museums, the Fondation Cartier pour l’Art Contemporain was conceived by French architect Jean Nouvel in 1994 as a cultural hub and uber-modern museum dedicated to contemporary art. The museum’s accompanying gardens, known as Theatrum Botanicum, are spectacular enough to be considered an art installation in their own right. 

Before the Fondation Louis Vuitton came onto the scene, the Fondation Cartier pour l’Art Contemporain was the best place to admire contemporary art in Paris. Even so, the cultural attraction is still worth visiting, with countless paintings, sculptures, photos, and multimedia displays to check out. 

The museum is committed to innovative and dynamic programming, and because of this, it hosts all kinds of cultural events throughout the year. Check the website to see what’s happening during your visit. 

6. Hôtel de la Marine

Hôtel de la Marine is different from all the other museums in Paris, thanks to its staggering size and unique past. Perched above the Place de la Concorde, this museum is housed inside the former royal Garde Meuble, a repository for the King’s furniture collections, crown jewels, and tapestries.

The grandiose building then became France’s naval headquarters for 200 years before it was transformed into the impressive art gallery you can visit today. Here, you can stroll through the 18th-century apartments that have been meticulously recreated and restored to their original layout and design. You’ll spot all kinds of beautiful things, including extraordinary paintings, period furniture, profound sculptures, and objets d’art.

Make sure you check out the Cabinet des Glaces. One of the museum’s many highlights, this exhibition is made up of a mirror-walled boudoir reminiscent of the Hall of Mirrors in Versailles.

7. Musée d’Orsay

The Musée d’Orsay takes center stage as one of the best museums in Paris. The sensational gallery is housed in a former railway station and is celebrated for its exceptional collection of Western art spanning 1848 to 1914. With its ornate ironwork, huge glass roof, and grandiose interior spaces, even the building could be described as a work of art!

Here, you’ll find an extensive collection of Impressionist art created by masters such as Monet, Degas, Cézanne, and Renoir. It’s this prestigious collection that makes the Musée d’Orsay the second-most-visited museum in Paris, after the Louvre. It’s worthy of a visit – whether you’re an art expert or you’ve never even set foot inside a gallery before.

Every corner of the museum is a treasure trove, where you’ll come across familiar pieces that have been featured in movies and TV series.

8. Fondation Louis Vuitton

The Fondation Louis Vuitton stands out from the crowd as it’s one of the very few museums in Paris that’s privately owned and funded. Launched onto the city’s art scene in 2014, the gallery was designed by the acclaimed Canadian-American architect Frank Gehry and is a mesmerizing visual marvel.

The outside of the museum resembles a fantastical sailboat seemingly adrift on a manmade lake within the Bois de Boulogne, while the inside features two temporary exhibitions, one dedicated to modern art and one dedicated to contemporary art. 

You can explore the museum on your own with the Fondation Louis Vuitton app or sign up for one of the micro-tours, which are designed to help you discover the exhibition at a relaxed pace.

9. Musée des Arts Décoratifs

Despite not actually being part of the Louvre, the Musée des Arts Décoratifs is located in the west wing of the iconic art museum. Here, you’ll discover one of the largest collections of decorative arts and design in the world, including a fascinating exhibition dedicated to fashion. The collections include furniture, glassware, ceramics, textiles, jewelry, wallpaper, and more, spanning from the Middle Ages to modern times.

As if that isn’t enough, the Musée des Arts Décoratifs is also home to the second-oldest museum in Paris. It was established in 1905 as part of the Union Centrale des Arts décoratifs (Central Union of Decorative Arts), which aimed to promote French decorative arts. The building is an architectural gem, featuring elements of the Renaissance Revival style and a stunning glass ceiling.

10. Musée Picasso 

Situated in the vibrant Marais district of Paris, the Musée Picasso is conveniently located for anyone looking to seamlessly integrate art and culture into a day of shopping and dining. While the City of Lights boasts other single-artist museums, the unique combination of Picasso’s renowned legacy and the enchanting setting of the Hôtel Salé elevates this museum to one of the finest in Paris. 

The Musée Picasso holds one of the most comprehensive collections of artworks by the Surrealist master, spanning his prolific career. The collection includes paintings, sculptures, ceramics, drawings, prints, and personal archives, offering a multifaceted view of the artist’s creative evolution.

That completes our list of the 10 best museums in Paris! Did we miss any must-see museums in Paris? Comment below so we can add them to the list! 

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