From the Louvre to the Musée d’Orsay: The Top Art Museums in Paris

Among Paris’s many attractions, the museums are some of the places that steal the show. Which one do you dream of meeting? In this post, we tell you which are the best art museums in Paris, with everything you need to know about them.

(please note that prices and times mentioned here are subject to change, check the website when purchasing tickets).

Louvre Museum

The Louvre is one of the best art museums in Paris and in the world.

Best Things to Do At The Louvre

The Louvre’s collection spans from antiquity to the present day.

Among its works are the Mona Lisa by Leonardo da Vinci, the Venus de Milo, and pieces by artists such as Rembrandt, Vermeer, Delacroix and many more.

It also has large collections of Egyptian, Islamic, and decorative art.

A special recommendation, being in the same room as the Mona Lisa is not as appreciated, but The Wedding at Cana, by Veronese, is one of the best paintings we saw in the museum.

Louvre Museum, Selfi Vero with the Mona Lisa

Ticket Price

The entrance fee to the Louvre museum is 17€. You can buy it here. (Note that this may change over time).

Opening Hours

  • Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays and Sundays from 9am to 6pm.
  • On Fridays, it is open from 9:00 am to 9:45 pm.
  • Closed on Tuesdays.

How To Get To The Louvre

If you go by metro, you can take lines 1 and 7 to the Palais-Royal / Musée du Louvre station, which is practically at the door of the Louvre.

Another option is to take line 14, which leaves you at Pyramides station, about 500 meters from the museum.

If you want to go by bus, many lines pass nearby. For example, 21, 27, 39, 67, 85, 95.

Louvre Pyramid

Musée d’Orsay

Another of the great art museums you must see in Paris is the Musée d’Orsay thanks to its exceptional collection of Impressionist and post-impressionist.

What To See at The Musée d’Orsay

His collection includes works by Monet, Van Gogh, Renoir, Degas and Cézanne. It also has a collection of decorative art, sculptures, and photographs.

Highlights include Renoir’s “Luncheon of the Rowers,” Van Gogh’s “Starry Night” and Degas’ “The Dancing Class.”

In addition, the building itself is an architectural masterpiece, with an impressive train station transformed into an art museum, so as you tour the museum pay attention to the details.

Musée d'Orsay

Ticket Price

The ticket price is €16. You can book it here. (please note that prices and schedules are subject to change)

Opening Hours

  • Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday open from 9:30 am to 6 pm.
  • On Thursdays the schedule goes from 9:30 am to 9:45 pm.
  • Closed on Mondays.

How To Get To The Musée D’Orsay

One way to get there is to take bus 69 to the Solferino – Bellechasse stop, which is a 4-minute walk from the museum. Other lines that pass nearby are 24, 63, 68, 73, 83, 84 and 94.

If you prefer to go by subway, you can take line 12 to Solférino station.

Orsay clock

Recommendation: If you like Impressionist art, read this post with the best impressionist museums in Paris.

Louis Vuitton Foundation

The Louis Vuitton Foundation is famous for its innovative architecture and impressive modern and contemporary art collection. The building was designed by architect Frank Gehry, and is a masterpiece of glass and steel.

What To See

The collection features works by artists such as Picasso, Matisse, Giacometti, Yves Klein and Jeff Koons.

Most of his works belong to contemporary artists. Don’t miss the photo exhibitions.

In addition, it usually has temporary collections of great artists and concerts.

Louis Vuitton Foundation glass façade

Ticket Price

The ticket price is 16€. You can book it here. (please note that prices and schedules are subject to change)

Opening Hours

  • Mondays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays open from 10am to 8pm.
  • Wednesdays and Thursdays open from 11am to 8pm.
  • Closed on Tuesdays.

In any case, we recommend you check the schedule for the day you want to go, as they have special presentations, and sometimes they change the closing times.

How To Get To The Louis Vuitton Foundation

You can take metro line 1 to Les Sablons station, which is 900 meters away. Otherwise, take line 73, stopping at La Garenne-Colombes – Charlebourg station.

Musée Des Arts Décoratifs

One of the best art museums in Paris is the Musée des Arts Décoratifs in Paris, which is noted for its collection of decorative arts and design, spanning objects from the 15th century to the present day.

The museum features a wide variety of decorative objects, such as furniture, ceramics, glass, jewelry and fashion, reflecting the evolution of style and taste over time.

What To See At The Museum Of Decorative Arts

Don’t miss the fashion collection, which includes pieces by iconic designers such as Christian Dior, Yves Saint Laurent and Chanel, and the permanent exhibition of contemporary design, featuring innovative and cutting-edge objects by current designers.

In addition, the museum regularly organizes temporary exhibitions exploring specific themes in decorative arts and design.

For example, fashion during the 1980s, an exhibition dedicated to hair in the western world and others dedicated to artists and graphic designers.

Ticket Price

The entrance fee is 14€.

Opening hours

  • Tuesday to Sunday from 11 am to 6 pm.
  • Thursday closes at 9pm.
  • Closed on Mondays.

How To Get Here

By metro you can get there on lines 1 and 7, getting off at Pyramides station. While by bus you can take lines 21, 66 68, 72, 73 and 95, the nearest stop is Pyramides – Saint-Honoré.

Printable

Outfit Planner

EXTRA TIP: plan what you wear in advance so you take everything you need and do not have to make extra expenses at the destination. You can download the PDF here; the price is up to you!

Marmottan Monet Museum

If you love art, one of the must-see museums that you can’t miss in Paris is the Marmottan Monet Museum, famous for being home to the largest collection of works by Claude Monet, one of the most influential impressionist painters in history.

What To See At Marmottan Monet

In addition to Monet’s impressive collection, the museum also features a selection of works by other Impressionist and Post-Impressionist artists, including paintings by Degas, Renoir, Sisley, Morisot, and Pissarro.

Monet’s “Water Lilies” series stands out, as well as the “Terrace of Sainte-Adresse” and “Impression, rising sun” considered the work that gave rise to the name of the Impressionist movement.

Ticket Price

The ticket price is 14€. You can book it here. (please note that prices and times are subject to change).

Opening Hours

  • Open from Tuesday to Sunday from 10:00 am to 6:00 pm.
  • Thursdays until 8 pm.
  • Closed on Mondays.

How To Get To The Marmottan Monet

Metro line 9 takes you to La Muette station, which is 600 meters away.

With the RER train you can stop at Boulainvilliers station, you have to take the C line.

And if you go by bus, you can take lines 22, 32, 52 and 63.

Monet

Picasso Museum Paris

The museum has more than 5,000 works by the artist, including paintings, sculptures, drawings, and engravings.

What To See

In addition to the gigantic collection on Picasso, the museum has a selection of works by other artists contemporary to Picasso, such as Braque, Matisse and Miró.

Among the most outstanding works are “Les Demoiselles d’Avignon”, “The Guitarist” and “The Weeping Woman”. Don’t miss Picasso’s ceramic collection, which is the largest and most complete in the world.

The museum also regularly organizes temporary exhibitions that explore different aspects of Picasso’s work and his legacy in the art world.

Picasso Museum in Paris

Ticket Price

The ticket price is 11€. You can book it here. (please note that prices and times are subject to change).

Opening Hours

It is open from 10:30 am to 6 pm from Tuesday to Friday.

Saturdays, Sundays and holidays (except Mondays) are open from 9:30 am to 6:00 pm.

Closed on Mondays.

How To Get To The Picasso Museum in Paris

By metro, you can take line 1 to Saint-Paul station and line 8 to Saint-Sébastien Froissart and Chemin Vert stations.

Rodin Museum

The Rodin Museum will delight you with its collection of works by the famous French sculptor Auguste Rodin.

It is housed in an impressive 18th century palace surrounded by gardens, and features more than 6,000 works by the artist, including sculptures, drawings and photographs.

Rodin Museum, sculpture of the Thinker

What To See

Among the most outstanding works are “The Thinker”, “The Kiss”, “The Gate of Hell” and “The Burghers of Calais”.

The museum’s gardens are also impressive and house many of Rodin’s most iconic sculptures, including “The Thinker” and “The Kiss.”

Ticket Price

The ticket price is 13€. You can book it here. (please note that prices and times are subject to change).

Opening Hours

From Tuesday to Sunday, it is open from 10hs to 18:30hs.

Closed on Mondays.

How To Get Here

By metro, you can go to Varenne station on line 13 or to Invalides on lines 13 and 8.

Rodin Museum sculpture of a man

Petit Palais

The Petit Palais in Paris is a magnificent museum that houses a large collection of works of art ranging from antiquity to the 20th century.

When we visited, the building attracted us as much as its collection. Take a walk around its central courtyard and observe the luxurious Belle Époque style decoration in all the rooms.

What To See

Among the most important works housed in the museum, we recommend you to see those of Rembrandt, Monet, Delacroix, Courbet and Toulouse-Lautrec.

Also super important are the ancient and medieval sculptures in the museum. It also has a collection of decorative art that is beautiful.

Something else that is a must if you visit the Petit Palais is its galleries dedicated to 19th-century French painting, which include works by the Impressionists and Post-Impressionists.

Ticket Price

The entrance fee is 15€.

Opening Hours

Tuesday to Sunday from 10:00am to 6:00pm.

Closed on Mondays.

How To Get Here

With the Metro, you can take lines 1 and 13 to the Champs-Élysées – Clemenceau station and line 9 to the Franklin D. Roosevelt station.

Another option is to take line C to Invalides.

And if you prefer to go by bus, lines 28, 42, 72, 73, 80, 83 and 93 pass nearby.

Grand Palais

The Grand Palais, designed in Beaux-Arts style, features a large glass dome offering breathtaking views of Paris. The Grand Palais is famous for its high-quality temporary exhibitions, covering various themes and artistic styles.

What To See

The museum houses a permanent collection of decorative art and objets d’art, including furniture, jewelry, textiles and glass objects from different periods and styles.

Also noteworthy are its large temporary exhibitions, covering a variety of topics, ranging from the origins of Venice to the life of Napoleon.

In addition, the Grand Palais is a reference place for fashion, and regularly hosts major fashion shows and events.

Grand Palais

Ticket Price

The cost of admission varies according to the exhibition to be seen and is free on the first Sundays of the month.

Opening Hours

It is currently undergoing renovations, so it is temporarily closed.

How To Get Here

You can get there by metro lines 1, 9 and 13, stopping at the Franklin D. Roosevelt or Champs-Elysées-Clémenceau stations.

With the RER you have to take line C to Invalides station and if you want to go by bus, you have all these lines: 28, 42, 52, 72, 73, 80, 83 and 93.

Paris Museum of Modern Art

The Museum of Modern Art in Paris is one of the most important museums in Europe, and as its name makes us suspect, it is dedicated to modern and contemporary art.

Its permanent collection has more than 10,000 works of art, ranging from the late nineteenth century to the present day.

What To See

Visitors can enjoy works by famous artists such as Matisse, Picasso, Braque, Modigliani, and Derain.

One of the things that makes it particularly interesting is its focus on modern and contemporary French art, allowing visitors to immerse themselves in the history and evolution of art in France throughout the 20th and early 21st centuries.

In addition, the museum has an interesting collection of pop and New York School art, including works by artists such as Andy Warhol and Roy Lichtenstein.

Ticket Price

The permanent collections are accessible free of charge, and without reservation. While for the temporary exhibitions, the price varies, depending on the exhibitions, from 7€ to 15€.

museum of modern art of paris

Opening Hours

  • Tuesday to Sunday from 10 am to 6 pm.
  • Thursdays until 9.30 pm, only for temporary exhibitions.
  • Closed on Mondays.

How To Get Here

Metro line 9, to the Alma-Marceau stop.

By bus, you can take the 32, 63 or 82 to the Iéna stop, the 42 or 92 to Alma-Marceau.

Pompidou Center

It is one of the best art museums in Paris and one of the reasons it stands out is because of its unique and avant-garde architecture, with colored pipes in sight and a staggered structure that gives it a futuristic look.

What To See At The Pompidou Center

As for its collection, the museum has more than 120,000 works of art, including pieces by the great masters of the 20th century such as Picasso, Matisse, Braque, Kandinsky, Frida Kahlo and Mondrian, as well as contemporary artists such as Francis Bacon, Jeff Koons and Sophie Calle.

The Pompidou Center is also famous for its multidisciplinary approach, encompassing not only painting and sculpture, but also cinema, music, literature and performance, so you will have a broader and more immersive experience than in other museums.

Ticket Price

The price of the ticket is 15€. You can book your ticket here. (please note that prices and schedules may change).

Opening Hours

  • Monday, Wednesday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday from 11am to 9pm.
  • Thursday open until 11:00 p.m.
  • Tuesday closed.

How To Get Here

By subway you can get there on line 11 (Rambuteau or Hôtel de Ville station) and line 1 (Hôtel de Ville station).

The RER leaves you at Châtelet Les Halles station, with lines A, B and D.

By bus you can go with lines 29, 38, 47 and 75.

Quai Branly Museum – Jacques Chirac

The Musée du Quai Branly – Jacques Chirac is a museum dedicated to the arts and cultures of Africa, Asia, Oceania, and the Americas.

What To See

It is one of the most important museums of its kind in the world, and is known for its collection of more than 300,000 works of art, objects and artifacts from various cultures and eras.

This museum is so interesting because it focuses on intercultural dialogue and diversity, allowing visitors to immerse themselves in a unique and enriching experience.

Among the museum’s highlights are African sculptures, American totem poles, ceremonial masks and Asian textiles.

In addition, the museum has an impressive collection of photographs and films showing the cultural diversity of non-Western societies.

Ticket Price

The price of the ticket is 12€. You can book your ticket here. (please note that prices and schedules are subject to change)

Opening Hours

  • Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays open from 10:30 am to 7 pm.
  • Thursdays from 10:30 am to 10 pm.
  • Closed on Mondays.

How To Get Here

There are several ways to get to the Musée du quai Branly

By subway:

  • Line 9: Alma-Marceau or Iéna Station
  • Line 8: Ecole Militaire Station
  • Line 6: Bir Hakeim 1 Station

By bus you have lines 42, 63, 80, 69, 72, 82 and 87.

And the RER C: it leaves you at Pont de l’Alma or Champ de Mars – Tour Eiffel.

Palace Of Versailles

The Palace of Versailles is one of the most impressive and famous monuments in France, and is a testament to the power and grandeur of the Sun King, Louis XIV.

The visit to the palace offers the opportunity to immerse yourself in the history of France and admire the beauty of the art and architecture of the Baroque era.

Hall of Mirrors at Versailles

What To See

Among the palace’s highlights are the Hall of Mirrors, the Hall of War and the Chapel Royal.

Of course you can’t go to the palace and not enjoy its beautifully landscaped gardens, which extend over 800 hectares and are designed in a formal French style. The gardens feature fountains, ponds and impressive sculptures.

In addition, the palace also has an impressive art collection, including paintings, sculptures and furniture from the Baroque period.

Ticket Price

On days when there are no dancing water shows in the fountains, the entrance fee is 21,50€ and on days when there are shows, the entrance fee is 28,50€. This ticket includes the domains of the Trianon.

If you only want to see the palace and gardens, the ticket costs 18€. You can book your ticket here.

How To Get Here

You can reach the palace by RER line C and get off at the Versailles Château Rive Gauche station, which is the closest to the palace. As one of the most touristic destinations in France, trains leave every 15 minutes.

palace-of-versailles-façade

Paris Museum Pass

If you are a museum lover, and you plan to visit some of the best art museums in Paris, you will want to buy a museum pass.

The 2-day pass will cost you 55€ (the same you would spend in 3 or 4 museums) and the 4-day pass 70€. It includes the Louvre, the Musée du Quai Branly, the Pompidou Center, the Musée d’Orsay and many more sites of interest, including some outside of Paris.

Are Museums In Paris Free Of charge?

As you could see, unfortunately, none of the major museums in Paris are free. However, during the winter months most museums have free admission on the first Sunday of the month.

If your trip coincides with the first Sunday of the month, check the website of the museum you want to visit to see if it has free admission. In some cases, you have to reserve the ticket even if it is free.

What Is The Most Famous Art Museum In Paris?

Undoubtedly the most famous art museum in Paris is the Louvre Museum, both for the importance of his works and the number of visitors it receives yearly, which are more than 7 million.

When Is The Best Time To Go To Museums In Paris?

Since museums are an activity that can be done when the weather is not very good if you are going to go to Paris with a focus on museums, you can take the opportunity to go in the low seasons in France, so there will be fewer tourists, you can tour the museums more quietly and the prices of accommodations could be lower.

The low tourist season in Paris is usually from November to March, except during the Christmas and New Year vacations.

Plan Your Trip to Paris

Best Art Museums-Paris

This post may include affiliate links. This means we will receive a small commission if you purchase through our links. There is no additional cost to you. With this, you help us to continue creating free content for you. Thanks for your support!

This post may include affiliate links. This means that we will receive a small fee if you make a purchase through our links. It has no additional cost to you. It’s a win-win!

Similar Posts

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *