Best Museums in Paris
Top 6 Museums in Paris
Paris, the City of Light, is one of Europe’s great and beauteous capitals. With its romantic scenery, historical sites and many cafés and bistros, the city has something for everyone – it is far more than just a setting for a romantic couples’ getaway (though of course it’s that too). Paris is well connected with the World and the 300 mile long road trip from London to Paris, is considered to be one of the Most Scenic Road Trips in Europe. Once the art and fashion capital of the world, the legacy of these disciplines can be seen in the stunning architectural styles and the abundance of haute couture shops here. Of course, no visit to Paris is complete without visiting one (or many) of its famous museums. From the Louvre to Louis Vuitton, these museums cover a variety of themes and offer a glimpse at amazing works of art, all located in the beautiful French capital, and guess what Visiting and Exploring these Museums can also be one of the Best Things to Do on a Rainy Day in Paris.
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The Louvre
It will come as no surprise that the world’s largest museum takes the number one spot. The building itself is as famous as the stunning collections it houses and was originally a fortress constructed in the 12th Century. Today it’s famed for displaying some of the most iconic pieces of art on the planet including DaVinci’s Mona Lisa and Alexandros of Antioch’s Venus de Milo. It’s best to visit in the evening when theres a fewer people and those under 26 can go free after 6 pm on a Friday. During the winter months, the museum is free for all on the first Sunday of each month.
Espace Dalí
Nestled in the heart of artistic Montmartre is this small museum dedicated to the work of the Spanish artist Salvador Dali. Despite not being from France, Dali was well-known in Paris, particularly in the bohemian Montmartre. Thus it seems only fitting that you can come here and enjoy some of the surrealist’s most prestigious and famed pieces.
Louis Vuitton Foundation
This arts and cultural institution was opened in 2014, making it one of the newest additions to the museum scene in Paris. The building is both modern and striking – designed by Frank Gehry, the architect wanted to reflect the glass buildings which compromise parts of the Grand Palais. As you might imagine, traditional or classical works are not the focus of curation here. Instead, there are fantastic works by innovative modern artists such as Jean-Michel Basquiat and Jeff Koons. There are also rotating exhibits and a range of excellent works which were commissioned specially for the museum.
Centre Pompidou
This vast cultural hub in the center of Paris actually houses several institutions. The Public Information Library can be found inside the high-tech architecture building along with the more famous Musée National d’Art Moderne – the largest modern art museum in Europe. The impressive building, instantly recognizable to many, has been redesigned several times since it was first opened in the late 1960s. Today the Pompidou displays work by many of the world’s most successful modern artists. Just a few of the notable names include Andy Warhol, Dali, Jackon Pollock and David Hockney.
Paris Sewer Museum
This isn’t your typical museum but it’s fascinating none the less. You can explore the subterranean sewers of Paris and see the city from a unique perspective while learning about how a large metropolitan area deals with its waste. Go on, try something new!
Natural Museum of History
The French National History Museum, situated on the left bank of the Seine in central Paris, is a museum with a mission to serve the public with information about history and science. They are committed to exploring the work of many areas including biodiversity, populations and evolution. They also provide excellent services for those with disabilities such as people with limited mobility and deaf and blind visitors.
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Auston runs the blog Two Bad Tourists and is also a freelance writer. His work has been featured in many publications including Attitude Magazine, Edge Media Network, The Houston Chronicle and ManAboutWorld Magazine.
Hey Arnav, great post by Auston! Winter is definitely a great time to visit museums while in Paris, and all the museums listed in this guide are great. I’m from Paris myself, but didn’t know about the Espace Dali, I’ll have to visit soon!