8 Top Museums in Paris Besides The Louvre

Paris has some amazing museums, some of which deserve as much attention as the Louvre. If you’re looking for a mix of famous art and hidden gems, this list is for you. These places will let you see Paris in a whole new way – and without the crowds.

1. Musée d’Orsay

The Musée d’Orsay in Paris is a fantastic art museum set inside a former railway station built in 1900. It holds one of the world’s largest collections of Impressionist and Post-Impressionist art, with works by Monet, Van Gogh, Degas, and Renoir.

The building itself is stunning, with a large glass clock and high arched ceilings. The museum also has sculptures, photography, and decorative arts from 1848 to 1914. Its location by the Seine River adds to the experience, with great views of Paris.

 Esplanade Valéry Giscard d’Estaing, 75007 Paris – website

2. Centre Pompidou

The Centre Pompidou is a unique cultural place in Paris. With its bold, inside-out design, the building itself is a modern art masterpiece. Inside, you’ll find one of the world’s largest collections of modern and contemporary art, with works by Picasso, Matisse, and Kandinsky.

The museum is great for anyone curious about abstract and avant-garde styles. It also offers incredible views of the city from the top floor, and a lively plaza out front.

Place Georges-Pompidou, 75004 Paris – website

3. Musée de l’Orangerie

The Musée de l’Orangerie, located in the Tuileries Garden in Paris, is best known for Claude Monet’s Water Lilies series. These massive, curved paintings are displayed in two oval rooms designed to create an immersive experience of light and color.

The museum also houses the Jean Walter and Paul Guillaume Collection which includes works by Renoir, Picasso, Matisse, and Modigliani.

Originally built in 1852 as a greenhouse for orange trees, the museum offers serene, airy rooms with plenty of natural light. Its compact size makes it easy to explore in a single visit.

Jardin des Tuileries, 75001 Paris – website

4. Musée Rodin

This museum is dedicated to the life and work of famous sculptor Auguste Rodin. It’s set in a beautiful 18th-century mansion, Hotel Biron, surrounded by lush gardens filled with Rodin’s sculptures, including the iconic “Le Penseur”.

Inside, you’ll find a vast collection of his works as well as pieces from his personal art collection. The indoor exhibits also takes you for a dive into his artistic process. You can have a nice stroll in the peaceful garden.

77 Rue de Varenne, 75007 Paris – website

5. Musée Jacquemart-André

The Musée Jacquemart-André is a small art museum in Paris. It is located in a grand mansion on Boulevard Haussmann. It was once the home of Édouard André and Nélie Jacquemart, a wealthy couple who loved art. They collected paintings, sculptures, furniture, and other treasures during their travels.

The museum offers an intimate look at 19th-century Parisian life and world-class art. It has a mix of French, Italian, and Dutch art. Highlights include works by Botticelli, Rembrandt, and Fragonard.

The Italian Renaissance collection is especially famous. You can see a stunning fresco brought from Italy and displayed in a specially built room.

The house itself is a masterpiece, with the grand staircase, the Winter Garden, and richly decorated salons. The music room and the private apartments show how the couple lived.

There is also a café in the museum. It’s in the former dining room and has beautiful ceiling paintings. It’s a popular spot for tea and desserts.

 158 Bd Haussmann, 75008 Paris – website

6. Musée Marmottan

The Musée Marmottan is a hidden gem in Paris with the world’s largest collection of works by Claude Monet. Located in a quiet mansion, it offers an intimate look at Monet’s masterpieces, especially his early and late works.

You’ll also find pieces by other famous Impressionists like Renoir and Berthe Morisot. Because it’s off the usual tourist path, it’s rarely crowded, allowing you to enjoy the art in peace.

2 Rue Louis Boilly, 75016 Paris – website

7. Carnavalet Museum

This Museum is dedicated to the history of Paris. Located in a grand old mansion in the Marais district, it takes you through the city’s past from the French Revolution to modern times.

The museum’s fascinating exhibits include paintings, sculptures, furniture, and even historical objects that bring the stories of Paris to life. Admission is free! A great stop for history buffs or those who want to learn more about Paris.

23 Rue de Sévigné, 75003 Paris – website

8. Le Petit Palais

Le Petit Palais museum is often overlooked, but shouldn’t be! It’s an art museum and architectural gem built for the 1900 Exposition Universelle, located near the Champs-Élysées. It houses the City of Paris Museum of Fine Arts. The collection includes paintings, sculptures, and decorative arts from ancient times to the 20th century, with works by Delacroix, Courbet, and Monet.

Its interior features grand halls, sophisticated mosaics, and a peaceful garden courtyard – the whole site is as beautiful as the art it holds. Admission to the permanent collection is free.

Av. Winston Churchill, 75008 Paris – website