Museums in Paris

Paris has 204 museums on practically anything you could possibly imagine; hunting and nature, counterfeiting, eroticism, the list is endless and if you can think of it, chances are, Paris has a museum based on it.

Just when I think I have visited most of the museums in Paris that interest me, I discover another.

Below you will find mostly smaller museums that I find interesting, unusual or quirky.

Each one, contains practical information, including opening hours, pricing, addresses, websites and a brief overview.

 

Discover:Free MuseumsParis MuseumsUnusual Museums
  • Musée Jacquemart-André
    Musée Jacquemart-André
    I love poking around former residences of the bourgeois and Musée Jacquemart-Andre is one of the finest you will see in Paris.
  • Maison de Victor Hugo
    Maison de Victor Hugo
    Nestled in a corner of Place des Vosges, is the former home of famous author of the Hunchback of Notre Dame; Victor Hugo.
  • Musée Nissim de Camondo
    Musée Nissim de Camondo
    A splendidly elegant mansion and former home of the Camondo's with an evocative, unforgettably tragic family history.
  • Musée des Arts Forains
    Musée des Arts Forains
    Transport yourself back in time. Ride spectacular antique carousels, play ancient fair-ground games and admire colourful memorabilia.
  • Musée de la Vie Romantique
    Musée de la Vie Romantique
    Tucked away behind an unassuming green gate, you will discover this enchanting hôtel particulier. An absolute delight.
  • Fondation Louis Vuitton
    Fondation Louis Vuitton
    Nothing short of spectacular, offering panoramic views and modern art, this new museum is sure to become another Paris icon.
  • Petit Palais
    Petit Palais
    Not as small as its name suggests. Elaborate ceiling murals, magnificent mosaics, grand staircases a pretty garden café and it is free.
  • Muséum national d’histoire naturelle
    Muséum national d’histoire naturelle
    This museum would have to be the most dramatic and stylishly arranged natural history museum in the world. Be dazzled in awe ....
  • Musée Cognacq-Jay
    Musée Cognacq-Jay
    This stunning home of Samaritaine Department store founder, Ernest Cognacq-Jay and his wife Marie-Louise Jay, includes Fragonard, Rembrandt, Cézanne ...
  • Musée de la Chasse et de la Nature
    Musée de la Chasse et de la Nature
    This wonderfully, quirky, informative, interactive museum, doesn't take itself too seriously. Exploring the history of hunting.
  • Musée Bourdelle
    Musée Bourdelle
    Former home and studio of the artist; Antoine Bourdelle, who was famous for his monumental public statues and friezes, is an exceptional free museum.
  • Musée Zadkine
    Musée Zadkine
    The small sun drenched former home of Ossip Zadkine allow light to bounce off African influenced work, giving the museum a quiet sense of calm and elegance.
  • Musée Rodin
    Musée Rodin
    The newly renovated mansion and former home of the artist, has an equally rich and inspiring history as Monsieur Auguste Rodin himself and then there are the gardens.
  • Maison La Roche – Foundation Le Corbusier
    Maison La Roche – Foundation Le Corbusier
    At the end of a leafy private lane is an iconic tribute to the architect of modern architecture.
  • Musée Carnavalet
    Musée Carnavalet
    Located in the heart of the Marais, this museum is dedicated to the history of Paris. Boasting 600,000 pieces, ranging from the 17th to 20th centuries.
  • Palais de Tokyo
    Palais de Tokyo
    Contemporary and cutting edge exhibitions of modern art, a very chic restaurant, late night openings until 12am and a great view of the Eiffel Tower.
  • Musée d’Orsay
    Musée d’Orsay
    The former railway station, sitting on the left bank of the Seine, has the largest collection of impressionist and post impressionist art in the world.

As a general rule of thumb most museums are closed on Mondays, except the Louvre, which is closed on Tuesdays.  Most open around 10am and close around 6pm.  Quite a few are free and some on the first Sunday of each month.  Some stay open late,  once a week.  Some, like the Musée de l’Erotisme, (the museum of eroticism) for example, stays open until 2am every night!  Most have cafés, restaurants or both and most have free cloak rooms and audio guides.

If you have found this information interesting or useful, please leave a comment or follow me on facebook for daily tips, photos and anecdotes, your feedback encourages me to keep this site up to date.  Merci!

3 Responses to Museums

  • Zeev

    Museums I like, just Of the top of my head:
    – Musee Nissim-de-Camondo – fascinating and tragic
    – Cité de l’architecture et du patrimoine – always interesting stuff
    – Musée national Eugène Delacroix – and then st. Sulpice, to see the works he got this apartment for
    – Musée Marmottan Monet..

  • Jphana

    Hi Adèle
    Love everything you do.
    I forwarded your site to my cousin. How can he find out on it all your pictures from Romania and Siberia?
    Thank you for your talent.

  • Armen

    Hi,
    Love your site.
    I am going to be in Paris all of October and am planning my visit – I have been here many times and am looking to explore the less travelled paths, although, this being Paris, less travelled is relative.
    What would you suggest?

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published.

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.