There are A LOT of art galleries in Paris, and it is impossible to see them all on your first, second, or even third visit to the city.
So, I’ve put together a list of the top six galleries that you must visit based on the uniqueness of their collections, the space that the art is housed, and their location in the city. (They also all have fantastic museum shops, if you are interested in art books or unique souvenirs!)
Centre Pompidou
I didn't make it to the Centre Pompidou until my third time to the city — and was that ever a mistake! Not only is the exterior of the building a must-see, the museum is home to over 100,000 works created in the 20th and 21st centuries, and an INCREDIBLE view.
Considered to be Europe’s leading collection of modern and contemporary art (from 1905 until the present day), there are some seriously big names housed in this museum — Henri Matisse, Pierre Bonnard, Georges Braque, Pablo Picasso, Jackson Pollock, Joseph Beuys, Andy Warhol, and Yves Klein to name just a few.
You’ll see all forms of media: paintings, drawing, photography, new media, experimental film, architecture, design, industrial work, and more! (Check out the photos below for some seriously cool pieces.)
Here's what you need to know to plan your visit:
The museum is located in the 4th arrondissement of Paris, in the Beaubourg area. It is within walking distance to the river, Les Halles, rue Montorgueil, and the Marais.
The museum is open every day (except Tuesdays when it is closed all day) from 11 am to 10 pm, but the exhibitions close at 9 pm.
A single ticket for admission to all galleries and the "View of Paris" is €14; a ticket just to see the "View of Paris" (no access to the galleries) is €5. Admission is FREE to all areas of the museum on the first Sunday of every month.
Check out this post for more information:
15 Photos That Will Make You Want to Visit The Centre Pompidou in Paris
The Picasso Museum
Located in the stunning and historic Hôtel Salé, the Musée National Picasso was inaugurated in 1985.
The museum contains 3,500 drawings, engravings, paintings, ceramic works, and sculptures created by Picasso, which were donated to the French government by his heirs when he passed away in lieu of paying inheritance taxes.
You also get some insight into the artist’s personal taste, as some of Picasso’s personal collection is also on display including works by Matisse, Degas, and Cezanne.
Here's what you need to know to plan your visit:
The museum is located at 5 rue de Thorigny.
Opening hours are Tuesday to Friday from 10.30 am – 6 pm, Saturday and Sunday from 9.30 am – 6 pm
Regular admission is 12.50 Euros per person
Musee De L’Orangerie
One of my favourite gallery or museum spaces in the world, the Musee De L'Orangerie is located in Paris on the southwest corner of the Jardin Des Tuileries.
While it has an impressive collection of Impressionist works, the most incredible part about this gallery is the two, huge white oval rooms that were built in 1927, to Monet's specifications, to display his eight-panel series, Decorations des Nympheas, or Water Lilies.
Here's what you need to know to plan your visit:
The museum is located at Jardin des Tuileries, Place de la Concorde, 75001
Opening hours are Wednesday to Monday from 9 am – 6 pm
Admission is 9 Euros per person (free on the first Sunday of each month)
Check out this post for more information:
Visiting Monet’s Water Lilies at The Musee De L’Orangerie in Paris
Dali Museum
The only museum in France entirely dedicated to the master of surrealism Salvador Dalí, the Dali Paris has a collection of more than 300 incredible artworks that were amassed by Benjamino Levi, one of Salvador Dalí's great collectors and art dealers.
Small, personal, and quirky, the museum sits in a historic building atop a hill in the Montmartre area. The views from a nearby staircase are incredible!
You’ll see paintings, sculptures, etchings, original illustrations from Alice in Wonderland and the Bible, and surrealist objects that “bring to life the peculiar ideas of an insatiable explorer, passionate about atomic science, the Antiquity, the Renaissance, alchemy or religion.”
Here's what you need to know to plan your visit:
The museum is located at 11, rue Poulbot in the heart of Montmartre area of Paris.
Admission is 12 Euros per person (children under 8 are free).
Open everyday from 10 am until 6:30 pm (last entrance is at 6 pm). In July and August, the museum is open until 8:30 pm (last entrance at 8 pm).
The Louvre
Whether you are a super fan of art and history, or just want to say you've seen the Mona Lisa, a visit to the Louvre is a must-do if you are in Paris.
This fortress turned palace turned gallery is now a massive, sprawling, and overwhelming collection of some of the most important pieces of human history.
Making the most of your trip definitely takes some planning — I've visited the museum twice, and still haven't come close to seeing everything!
Here are some quick tips for planning your visit:
The museum is open daily from 9 am to 6 pm (closed Tuesdays) and until 9:45 pm on Wednesdays and Fridays.
Admission is 15 Euros per person if purchased at the museum (double check the website for up-to-date pricing).
If you only have one day to visit the entire museum, I recommend going on a Wednesday or Friday so that you have the maximum amount of time to explore. You can leave and come back throughout the day, so it gives you a chance to take a break, get some food, or enjoy the surrounding gardens.
Check out these posts for more information:
Tips For Visiting The Louvre: How to Avoid The Crowds and Make The Most of Your Visit
Musee d’Orsay
The incredible Musee d’Orsay is located in a sun filled train station from the early 1900s and is filled with the country’s collection of paintings, sculptures, and other works that were created between the 1840s and 1914. The vast majority being impressionist masterpieces, and post-impressionist and art nouveau pieces.
If you are a fan of this era of art, I suggest setting aside at least half a day to explore this museum — I got completely lost in the galleries as they were filled with my favourite works by Monet, Renoir, Degas, Van Gogh, Cezanne, Matisse, and more.
Here are some quick tips for planning your visit:
The museum is open daily from 9:30 am to 6 pm, and until 9:45 pm on Thursdays. It is closed on Mondays.
Admission is 14 Euros per person.
The museum is located on 62, rue de Lille, across the river from the Louvre Museum.
