7 Best Museums in Paris You Must Visit

Paris is home to some of the world’s most iconic museums, offering an unrivaled mix of art, culture, and history. Discover the best museums to visit in Paris, from the world-renowned Louvre to the modern Centre Pompidou, and explore the treasures that make Paris one of the top destinations for museum lovers.

The Louvre

The Louvre is not just one of the best museums in Paris—it’s the largest and one of the most visited museums in the world. Housing over 35,000 works of art, including the iconic Mona Lisa and Venus de Milo, the Louvre is a must-see for anyone visiting Paris.

Museum Attractions:

• Explore the museum’s extensive collection across eight departments, including Egyptian antiquities, Greek art, and Islamic art.
• Visit famous pieces such as Liberty Leading the People by Delacroix and The Raft of the Medusa by Géricault.
• Take a guided tour to understand the historical significance of the Louvre’s collections and its transformation from a royal palace to a museum.
• Admire the stunning glass pyramid, one of Paris’s most recognizable landmarks.

Musée d'Orsay

Housed in a former railway station, the Musée d'Orsay is renowned for its collection of Impressionist and Post-Impressionist masterpieces. It’s a top destination for lovers of 19th and early 20th-century art.

Museum Attractions:

• View iconic works by Monet, Degas, Renoir, and Van Gogh.
• Explore art nouveau furniture, sculptures, and photography from the late 1800s to early 1900s.
• Admire the building’s striking architecture, including its grand clock and impressive interior.
• Enjoy temporary exhibits and special events that explore different facets of French art.

Centre Pompidou

The Centre Pompidou is Paris’s premier modern art museum, celebrated for its avant-garde architecture and cutting-edge exhibitions. It’s a top museum for lovers of 20th and 21st-century art.

Museum Attractions:

• Discover works by Picasso, Matisse, Duchamp, and Kandinsky.
• Attend temporary exhibitions featuring contemporary art, design, and multimedia.
• Visit the public library and performance spaces integrated within the museum.
• Enjoy panoramic views of Paris from the rooftop terrace, offering views of the Eiffel Tower.

Musée Rodin

The Musée Rodin is dedicated to the life and works of sculptor Auguste Rodin. This museum is set in a beautiful mansion with lovely gardens, making it one of the best museums in Paris for a tranquil visit.

Museum Attractions:

• View iconic sculptures like The Thinker, The Kiss, and The Gates of Hell.
• Wander through the sculpture garden, where many of Rodin’s works are displayed outdoors.
• Explore the mansion’s interior, which includes works by Rodin and pieces from his personal collection, such as Van Gogh and Monet paintings.
• Visit temporary exhibitions that explore Rodin’s influence on modern sculpture.

Musée de l'Orangerie

The Musée de l'Orangerie is one of the top places in Paris to experience Impressionist and Post-Impressionist art. It’s best known for housing Claude Monet’s monumental Water Lilies series.

Museum Attractions:

• Experience Monet’s Water Lilies in two oval rooms, designed to create an immersive viewing experience.
• Discover other notable works by Cézanne, Matisse, Picasso, and Modigliani.
• Enjoy the intimate atmosphere of this small but significant museum, which allows for a peaceful visit.
• Stroll through the surrounding Tuileries Gardens, one of Paris’s most iconic parks.

Musée Marmottan Monet

The Musée Marmottan Monet is a hidden gem in Paris and houses the largest collection of works by Claude Monet. It’s one of the best museums for Impressionist art lovers seeking a quieter experience.

Museum Attractions:

• View over 300 works by Monet, including his early sketches and some of his most famous paintings.
• Discover works by other Impressionist artists, including Berthe Morisot, one of the movement’s pioneering female artists.
• Explore temporary exhibitions dedicated to Impressionism and Monet’s life.
• Enjoy the peaceful setting of the elegant mansion where the museum is located.

Musée Picasso

The Musée Picasso is one of the top museums in Paris dedicated to housing an impressive collection of work by the legendary Pablo Picasso. It’s located in the historic Hôtel Salé in the Marais district.

Museum Attractions:

• Explore over 5,000 works by Picasso, from his early periods to his later Cubist experiments.
• Learn about Picasso’s life and artistic evolution, with insights into his impact on modern art.
• Enjoy temporary exhibitions that highlight Picasso’s influence on 20th-century art.
• Wander through the museum’s library and explore archives related to Picasso’s personal life.

Paris is home to some of the best museums in the world, offering a journey through centuries of art, culture, and history. If you're a lover of art and history, these 7 of the must visit museums you need to explore when visiting the city.