Location: Paris
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Things to do in Paris, Ile-de-France: The Best Specialty Museums
Lingering over pain au chocolat in a sidewalk café, relaxing after a day of strolling along the Seine and marveling at icons like the Eiffel Tower and the Arc de Triomphe… the perfect Paris experience combines leisure and liveliness with enough time to savor both an exquisite meal and exhibits at the Louvre. Awaken your spirit at Notre Dame, bargain hunt at the Marché aux Puces de Montreuil or for goodies at the Marché Biologique Raspail, then cap it all off with a risqué show at the Moulin Rouge.
Restaurants in Paris
1. Musee Rodin
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 12,460 reviews
Located in this 18th-century hotel (Hotel Biron), Musee Rodin holds an impressive collection of works by this famous French sculptor and his circle as Camille Claudel. The museum also features an exquisit garden and a temporary exhibition hall.
Reviewed By ParthaSarathiS1 - Kolkata (Calcutta), India
House of Auguste Rodin,a French sculptor,18th century hotel Biron,converted into a museum after his death.All of his own sculptural works along with the works of his student / mistress Camille Claudel are beautifully restored here.Paintings of Van Gogh,Monet, Renoir & other personal collection of Rodin are also displayed.Some of the famous sculptures like The Thinker,The Gates of Hell,The Kiss are featured. A part of his well known works are beautifully presented within the garden encircling the main building.A cafe beside the garden serves drinks & foods Art gifts,sculpture reproductions,accessories are available in the ground floor shop.It is open from 10am to 6.30pm except mondays & special days.A must of art lovers.
2. Musee de la Musique
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 303 reviews
This museum has nearly 1,000 different instruments on display, complete with audio commentary.
3. Musee de Montmartre
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 853 reviews
In the oldest house on the hill of Montmartre lived fourteen personalities, among whom Renoir, Valadon, Dufy and Poulbot. Take a step back in time to the glory days of this independent and bohemian quarter through original works by Utrillo, Toulouse-Lautrec and Willette at the Montmartre Museum. The gardens and the atmosphere have a rustic feel to them, making this is a very special site in the heart of Paris.
Reviewed By carlg617 - Saint Simons Island, United States
We have been to Montmarte many times but have never been in this Musuem just South of Sacre Couer ! Many great French painters shared this mansion ! A great place to go after lunch at Pink Mamas !
4. Musee Nissim de Camondo
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,950 reviews
Reviewed By CharlieV2011 - Chicago, United States
I enjoyed my visit to this mansion. One thing that stood out is the sad history of the family so be sure to read about it here. The artifacts on display were collected by the owner of the house, which was built in the early 20th century. The artifacts are mainly 1800’s, but some are older. Going through the museum, you will see paintings, furniture, a library, 2 interesting bathrooms, a huge interesting kitchen, and beautiful architecture. An audio guide is provided that provides interesting facts on what you are looking at. I enjoyed looking at the artifacts and learning about life during this time period.
5. Musee de la Chasse et de la Nature
6. Palais de Chaillot
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 435 reviews
Reviewed By 750dimitrisl - Sydney, Australia
The Palais de Chaillot is an exceptional building. From a distance it looks as if it is ready to fly with those huge wing spans ready to take off! It was built in 1937 for the Universal Exhibition and it is home to several museums and a theatre. There is also a restaurant on site. We first saw it from atop the Eiffel Tower and it was a wonderfully amazing sight.
7. Musee des Arts et Metiers
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,135 reviews
Reviewed By thetuareg03 - Mumbai, India
Our only regret is not allotting enough time to spend here. Filled with all sorts of inventions going back hundreds of years, the exhibits are brought to life by a fantastic audio guide whose narration comprises bite-size radio skits. It's packed with information - just the right amount - and very entertaining. Some of the exhibits will take your breath away. Tip1: Entrance is free on the first Sunday of every month. Tip2: Allot a minimum half day although an enture day would be even better. It's vast and worrth it. Tip3: Audio guide is a must or else it would be a flat and lifeless experience.
8. Musee de l'Orangerie
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 17,167 reviews
Reviewed By ayubq2013 - Dhaka City, Bangladesh
Paris has numerous fascinating museums, but if I am asked to pick my favourite, I would probably choose Musée de l’Orangerie. This small museum, tucked in the West corner of of the famous Tuileries Gardens, next to the Place de la Concorde, houses a wonderful collection of impressionist and post impressionist paintings. The museum is most famous as the permanent home of the eight large water lily murals by Claude Monet. These 8 panels, 2 metres high and spanning 91 metres length, are arranged in 2 oval rooms purpose built for the paintings. Monet is said to have helped with the architectural design, with skylights for observing the paintings in natural light. The effect is absolutely stunning. A visit to the l’Orangerie only to see Monet’s water lilies can be a justification in itself, but the museum offers much more. It also contains fascinating paintings by Cezanne, Matisse, Modigliani, Picasso, Renoir, Rousseau, Sisley, Utrillo and others. Built in 1852 as a store for citrus plants of the Tuileries Gardens, l’Orangerie was turned into an art gallery after WWI. It was remodelled several times since, notably once after WWI to house Monet’s water lilies and subsequently after 1960 to accommodate the Jean Walter and Paul Guillaume collections acquired in 1959 and 1963 respectively. We found the l’Orangerie less crowded than most other museums in Paris. if one is willing to spend 2 to 3 hours, it is possible to take in the entire museum in one visit, something not feasible in most other museums. Overall, a very pleasant and rewarding museum visit.
9. Musee du quai Branly - Jacques Chirac
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 2,977 reviews
Located close to the Eiffel Tower, the musée du quai Branly exhibits 3 500 works of art from Africa, the Americas, Asia and Oceania. This important collection makes the musée du quai Branly an unmissable place for discovering the art culture of the non-European world. The museum’s original and imposing architecture designed by Jean Nouvel and its wild garden created by the landscaper Gilles Clément combine to make it a pleasant and unique place. The museum is the fourth largest museum in Paris.
Reviewed By NoRoadsLeadToRome - Bothell, United States
Just a block away from the Eiffel Tower, you’ll find the beautiful garden and dreamlike interiors of Musée du Quai Branly. This museum of ethnic art from around the world is a wonderful addition to the other great museums of Paris. Because it’s relatively new, it is also not crowded. You can therefore enjoy the strange, organic flowing spaces and amazing collection in a peaceful, uncrowned environment. The gardens are free and would be a great place to let your kids explore if they aren’t already exhausted from having climbed to the nearby Eiffel Tower. There’s also a comfortable café where are you can rest your feet and quench your thirst. Highly recommended!
10. L' Atelier Brancusi
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