As the global epicenter of Art and Literature, Paris boasts an impressive collection of more than 130 museums and exhibition venues. Are you planning a visit to the French capital soon? Explore our curated list of the finest museums in Paris that are a must-see!
The Top 5 Museums in Paris
Paris is home to several absolutely essential museums. These emblematic exhibition spaces are revered institutions that showcase the French cultural heritage to a global audience.
Louvre museum
Inextricably linked to the City of Paris, the Louvre Museum is the most famous museum in the capital. But did you know that it served as the residence of the Kings of France for many centuries? With its 72,000 square meters of gallery space, it stands today as the largest art museum in the world, housing some of the most renowned paintings of all time, including Leonardo da Vinci's Mona Lisa. Within the walls of this graceful structure, you can admire over 35,000 works of art, including masterpieces such as the Venus de Milo, the Coronation of Napoleon, and stroll through the famed Apollon Gallery.
Address of the Louvre Museum: 99 Rue de Rivoli, 75001 Paris
Orsay museum
The Musée d'Orsay welcomes over 3 million visitors annually, ranking it among the top 10 most frequented museums worldwide. Housed in a former railway station in the 7th district, which resembles a palace, the second most celebrated exhibition venue in Paris is renowned for its extensive collection of Impressionist art. However, it would be a disservice to overlook its other offerings: the Musée d'Orsay also boasts exceptional permanent collections representing every Western artistic movement from 1848 to 1914, including paintings, sculptures, architecture, photography, and decorative arts.
Address of the Musée d'Orsay: 1 Rue de la Légion d'Honneur, 75007 Paris
Georges Pompidou center
Provoking controversy upon its inauguration due to its futuristic architecture (designed by architects Renzo Piano and Richard Rogers), the Centre Georges Pompidou is now an internationally acclaimed hub for modern and contemporary art; considered by many to be one of the premier museums in Paris, it houses the largest collection of modern art in Europe. Visitors can explore over 50,000 works, including Pablo Picasso's Harlequin, Man Ray's Ingres's Violin, and Marcel Duchamp's Fountain.
Address of the Centre Georges Pompidou: Place Georges-Pompidou, 75004 Paris
Quai Branly museum
Among the top 10 most visited French museums, the Quai Branly Museum is situated in a striking building designed by Jean Nouvel. Its permanent collections, organized into four sections, are devoted to the arts of Africa, Oceania, Asia, and the Americas, each displaying a commendable presentation. The Quai Branly Museum also owes its popularity to its innovative temporary exhibitions, showcased on the mezzanine or the ground floor of the building.
Address of the Quai Branly Museum: 37 Quai Branly, 75007 Paris
Louis Vuitton foundation
Designed by the renowned architect Frank Gehry, the Louis Vuitton Foundation is a marvel of futuristic architecture. However, its reputation is not solely due to its striking architectural design: the museum offers a year-round array of exquisite collections of modern and contemporary art.
Address of the Louis Vuitton Foundation: 8 Avenue du Mahatma Gandhi, 75116 Paris
Other must-see museums in Paris
Many other exhibition spaces could have made the list of the finest museums in Paris; among them are noteworthy mentions such as:
- The National Picasso-Paris Museum
- The Orangerie Museum
- The Palais de Tokyo
- The Petit Palais
- The Grand Palais
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