Back to the blogThe 15 Best Museums in Paris for 2024
The City of Love is bursting with cultural activities that rank it one of the most popular tourist destinations in the entire world. It should be no surprise then that it’s also spoiled with incredible museums bursting with historical artefacts, world-famous art and mind-boggling facts. To help take the pressure off your Paris holiday planning, we’ve searched high and low to bring you a list of the 15 best museums in Paris for 2024.
What museums are a must-see in Paris?
When visiting Paris within a limited time frame, you’ve got to visit the Louvre. Home to the infamous Mona Lisa, this top Paris museum is a must for every history and art aficionado. But be warned, you can easily spend a whole day here so plan your itinerary accordingly.
What museum in Paris do tourists visit the most?
Once again, the Louvre has to take the top spot for the most-visited Paris museum with queues sometimes taking as long as an hour to get inside. The museum has reported that a whopping 30,000 visitors a day visit the museum.
What’s the best way to visit everything in Paris?
It’s practically impossible to visit everything in Paris but the best way to see as much as possible is to strategically plan your Paris itinerary in advance. Map out the Paris attractions you’d like to see the most and plan your days around this. Give a realistic timeframe to any museum visits as it’s easy to spend hours wandering around the exhibits.
The 15 Best Museums in Paris for 2024
1. Louvre Museum
Opening Times: The Louvre is usually open every day except Tuesdays. Opening hours are typically from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., with extended hours until 9:45 p.m. on Wednesdays and Fridays.
Admission Costs: The ticket price for adults is around €17-€20, but it may vary depending on exhibitions and age. Free admission is available for visitors under 18, EU residents under 26, and certain other categories.
Nearest Metro: The closest metro station is Palais Royal – Musée du Louvre (Lines 1 and 7).
Undoubtedly the crown jewel of Parisian museums, the aforementioned Louvre is a must-visit. Home to the enigmatic Mona Lisa, this sprawling museum houses over 35,000 artworks and artifacts from around the world. With such an extensive collection, you can easily lose yourself in the halls of history and art. Remember to plan your visit wisely to make the most of your time. Buy your tickets in advance to skip the hefty queue times and make the most of your time in Paris.
2. Musée d’Orsay
Opening Times: Musée d’Orsay is usually open every day except Mondays. Standard opening hours are from 9:30 a.m. to 6 p.m., and late-night openings until 9:45 p.m. are common on Thursdays.
Admission Costs: Adult tickets cost approximately €14-€18. Discounts are available for students, young people, and groups.
Nearest Metro: The closest metro station is Musée d’Orsay (Line 12).
Located in a former railway station, the Musée d’Orsay is a treasure trove of impressionist and post-impressionist masterpieces. Here, you can admire works by Monet, Degas, Van Gogh, and many more. The museum’s stunning architecture alone is worth the visit.
3. Centre Pompidou
Opening Times: Centre Pompidou is generally open daily from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m., except Tuesdays when it’s closed.
Admission Costs: Adult tickets typically range from €14 to €16, with concessions available for various categories.
Nearest Metro: The nearest metro station is Rambuteau (Line 11).
If contemporary art is your passion, the Centre Pompidou is the place to be. Its distinctive architectural design with exposed pipes and colorful exterior is just a glimpse of the creativity inside. Explore modern and contemporary art, including works by Picasso, Kandinsky, and Duchamp.
4. Musée de l’Orangerie
Opening Times: Musée de l’Orangerie is open daily except Tuesdays, with hours usually from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Admission Costs: Adult tickets are generally around €12. Special discounts are available for students, young people, and groups.
Nearest Metro: The closest metro station is Concorde (Lines 1, 8, and 12).
Marvel at Monet’s breathtaking Water Lilies series at the Musée de l’Orangerie. This intimate museum also houses works by Cézanne, Renoir, and Modigliani, providing a serene escape from the bustling city.
5. Musée de la Chasse et de la Nature
Opening Times: The Musée de la Chasse et de la Nature is open from Tuesday to Sunday, typically from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Admission Costs: Adult tickets cost around €8, with discounts for seniors, students, and groups.
Nearest Metro: The nearest metro station is Saint-Sébastien – Froissart (Line 8).
For a unique experience during your Paris trip, head to the Musée de la Chasse et de la Nature, dedicated to the art of hunting and nature. Explore a fascinating collection of taxidermy, paintings, and sculptures that explore the relationship between humans and the natural world.
6. Musée Rodin
Opening Times: Musée Rodin is usually open every day except Mondays. Opening hours typically range from 10 a.m. to 5:45 p.m.
Admission Costs: The regular adult ticket price is approximately €12. Reduced rates are available for students, youth, and groups.
Nearest Metro: The closest metro stations are Varenne (Line 13) and Invalides (Lines 8 and 13).
Discover the artistic genius of the French sculptor Auguste Rodin at the Musée Rodin. Set in a beautiful mansion and surrounded by lush gardens, this Paris museum showcases his iconic sculptures, including “The Thinker” and “The Kiss.” Redeem your leisure voucher on a guided tour to get a detailed insight into the man behind the masterpieces.
7. Musée de l’Armée – Les Invalides
Opening Times: The museum at Les Invalides is generally open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. every day, except on the first Monday of each month.
Admission Costs: Adult tickets cost around €12. Discounts are available for seniors, students, and groups.
Nearest Metro: The closest metro station is Varenne (Line 13).
Up next on our list of the best Paris museums is the Musée de l’Armée where you can delve into French military history at Les Invalides. Explore a vast collection of weapons, armour, and military artefacts, as well as the tomb of Napoleon Bonaparte.
8. Musée Picasso
Opening Times: Musée Picasso typically opens every day except Tuesdays. The usual hours are from 10:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Admission Costs: Adult tickets are approximately €14. Discounts are available for various categories, including students and youth.
Nearest Metro: The closest metro stations are Saint-Paul (Line 1) and Chemin Vert (Line 8).
Immerse yourself in the world of Pablo Picasso at the Musée Picasso. This museum features an extensive collection of his works, providing insight into the evolution of his artistic style over the years.
9. Musée de l’Air et de l’Espace
Opening Times: The Musée de l’Air et de l’Espace is generally open every day except Mondays. Operating hours are typically from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Admission Costs: Adult tickets cost around €12.50. Discounts are available for seniors, youth, and families.
Nearest Metro: The museum is not directly accessible by metro, but you can take a train to Le Bourget station and then a short bus ride or walk to the museum.
Aviation enthusiasts will be thrilled by the Musée de l’Air et de l’Espace, located at Le Bourget Airport. Discover the history of flight through an impressive collection of aircraft, including the iconic Concorde.
10. Musée de Cluny – Musée national du Moyen Âge
Opening Times: Musée de Cluny is generally open every day except Tuesdays. Usual hours are from 9:15 a.m. to 5:45 p.m.
Admission Costs: Adult tickets cost approximately €8. Discounts are available for various groups and categories.
Nearest Metro: The closest metro station is Cluny – La Sorbonne (Line 10).
Step back in time at the next on our list of the best museums in Paris. The Musée de Cluny, dedicated to the Middle Ages. Explore medieval art, artefacts, and the enchanting Lady and the Unicorn tapestries in this charming museum.
11. Musée National Eugène Delacroix
Opening Times: The museum’s opening hours typically range from 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. It is closed on Tuesdays.
Admission Costs: Adult tickets cost around €7. Reduced rates are available for certain groups.
Nearest Metro: The closest metro station is Saint-Germain-des-Prés (Line 4).
Visit the former residence and studio of Romantic artist Eugène Delacroix. This small but captivating Paris museum showcases his paintings, drawings, and personal belongings.
12. Musée de l’Art Ludique
Opening Times: The museum’s opening hours may vary, so it’s advisable to check their website for the most up-to-date information.
Admission Costs: Adult ticket prices range from €9 to €13, depending on exhibitions and age categories.
Nearest Metro: The closest metro station is Gare d’Austerlitz (Lines 5 and 10).
Tech lovers shouldn’t miss number twelve on our list of the best museums in Paris because they can discover the art of animation, video games, and comic books at the Musée de l’Art Ludique. This top Paris museum celebrates the creativity and imagination behind these forms of entertainment and has previously hosted exhibitions on Assassin’s Creed, Shrek and Chicken Run to name a few favourites.
13. Petit Palais – Musée des Beaux-Arts de la Ville de Paris
Opening Times: Petit Palais is generally open every day except Mondays. Usual hours are from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Admission Costs: Adult ticket prices are typically around €11. Reduced rates are available for seniors, youth, and various other categories.
Nearest Metro: The closest metro station is Champs-Élysées – Clemenceau (Lines 1 and 13).
The Petit Palais is a hidden gem in Paris, offering a splendid collection of fine arts. In this Paris museum, you can wonder at stunning European paintings, sculptures, and decorative arts in a beautiful Beaux-Arts building.
14. Musée de la Musique – Philharmonie de Paris
Opening Times: This top Paris museum is generally open every day except Mondays. Operating hours typically range from 12 p.m. to 6 p.m., but they may vary.
Admission Costs: Adult tickets cost around €8, with reduced rates for various categories.
Nearest Metro: The closest metro station is Porte de Pantin (Line 5).
Our next Paris museum is definitely one for the music lovers. The Musée de la Musique, located within the Philharmonie de Paris complex unveils the history of music and an impressive array of musical instruments from different eras.
15. Fondation Louis Vuitton
Opening Times: The opening hours for Fondation Louis Vuitton may vary, so it’s best to check their website for current information.
Admission Costs: Ticket prices can vary depending on exhibitions and age groups. It’s advisable to check their website for specific pricing details.
Nearest Metro: The closest metro station is Les Sablons (Line 1).
Wrap up your Paris museum tour at the Fondation Louis Vuitton, a modern architectural masterpiece designed by Frank Gehry. This contemporary art space hosts rotating exhibitions that showcase the works of artists from around the world including Mark Rothko and Xie Lei.
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