Beginners’ Guide To The 7 Best Museums To Visit In Paris
Everyone loves Paris. The capital of France is home to the most delicious gourmet delicacies, best haute couture, gorgeous gardens, impressive museums and more. Art and history have always been important aspects of the lives of Parisians – which is no surprise why there are actually about 130 museums in Paris!
Unfortunately, not everyone has the privilege of living in Paris on a long-term basis, and as travellers, we have limited time in the city. We have hence narrowed down to a few that you must not miss, and here are 7 Best Museums To Visit in Paris that all cultured travellers will appreciate.
#1 CARNAVALET MUSEUM
Carnvalet Museum boasts 600,000 exhibits across more than a hundred rooms. Musée Carnavalet occupies two mansions, namely the Hôtel Carnavalet and the former Hôtel Le Peletier de Saint Fargeau.
From archaeological remains, street signs to portraits of famous Parisian figures, the museum is dedicated to the vibrant history of Paris.
16 Rue des Francs Bourgeois, 75003 Paris, France
Tel: +33 1 44 59 58 58
Closed on Mondays
Tue to Sun: 10am – 6pm
#2 CENTRE GEORGES POMPIDOU
Opened in 1977, Centre Gorges Pompidou is home to an incredible collection of over 100,000 impressive modern and contemporary artworks dated from 1905 to present day.
You can look forward to viewing masterpieces of Pablo Picasso, Georges Braque and other famous artists.
Place Georges-Pompidou, 75004 Paris, France
Tel: +33 1 44 78 12 33
Daily: 11am – 10pm
#3 MUSÉE DE LOUVRE
Musée De Louvre needs no elaborate introduction; this has to be on everyone’s bucket list. The iconic attraction holds the glorious title of being the world’s biggest museum, as well as having the most visitors. The world famous Mona Lisa portrait can be found here too.
Musée De Louvre is an unmissable attraction and one should visit it for its sheer number of exhibits and stunning architecture.
Cour Napoléon, 75001 Paris
Tel: +33 1 40 20 50 50
Mon, Thu, Sat and Sun: 9am – 6pm
Wed and Fri: 9am – 9.45pm
Closed on Tuesdays
#4 MUSÉE D’ORSAY
The Musée d’Orsay was once a grand train station in the 1900s. Today, it is an internationally renowned museum which showcases impressionist and post-impressionist artworks between 1848 and 1914.
You can expect to see paintings by revered painter Vincent van Gogh and Camille Pissarro.
1 rue de la Légion d’Honneur, 75007 Paris
Tel: +33 1 40 49 48 14
Closed on Mondays
Tue, Wed, Fri to Sun: 9.30am – 6pm
Thu: 9.30am – 9.45pm
#5 MUSÉE NATIONAL DU MOYEN ÂGE
Constructed with remnants of the Roman baths complex, Musée National du Moyen-Age is one of Paris’ best gems. The medieval museum is in possession of historic treasure troves such as the heads of the kings of Judah from Notre-Dame cathedral and the restored Lady and the Unicorn tapestry.
Musée National du Moyen-Age
6 place Paul-Painlevé, 75005 Paris
Tel: +33 1 53 73 78 16
Mon, Wed to Sun: 9.15am – 5.45pm
Closed on Tuesdays
#6 NATIONAL MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY
National Museum of Natural History is essentially a series of sites located in a complex. Visit the onsite Grande Galerie de l’Evolution and Ménagerie du Jardin des Plantes; the former features over 7,000 taxidermied animals while the latter is a zoological garden that conserves endangered creatures.
57 Rue Cuvier, 75005 Paris, France
Tel: +33 1 40 79 56 01
Mon, Wed to Sun: 10am – 6pm
Closed on Tuesdays
#7 THE MUSÉE RODIN
The Musée Rodin was previously a Parisian mansion where esteemed artist Auguste Rodin lived. It is now a museum dedicated to showcasing Ronin’s vast collection of paintings and sculptures.
The picturesque premises are visited by 700,000 visitors annually.
19 Avenue Auguste Rodin, 92190 Meudon, France
Tel: +33 1 41 14 35 00
Closed on Mondays
Tue, Thu to Sun: 10am – 5.45pm
Wed: 10am – 8.45pm
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