Art & Museums in Paris

Explore the world of art and culture in Paris

Paris has always been one of the most important hubs of creative inspiration and architectural masterpieces in Europe. Artists have fled to the capital to be inspired and hone in on their hidden talents since the Middle Ages and have produced renowned pieces of works from Picasso to Monet, Degas and Cezanne. Paris is brimming with galleries and museums to be explored to discover some of the world’s artistic genius and cultural sensitivity.

The Louvre

The Louvre was built in 1793 and contains over 35,000 pieces of art ranging from Egyptian antiques, to Renaissance masterpieces; including works from Da Vinci and Delacroix. Walk through the history of France, take in some of the artistic wonders of the world and behold the Mona Lisa in all its glory. After, unwind in the formal Carrousel gardens surrounding the iconic pyramid museum to reflect upon your visit.

Musée d’Orsay

Originally designed as a train station in 1900, the Musée d’Orsay became a theatre and finally, as it stands now, a museum exhibiting art from 1848 to 1915. Admire works by Delacroix, Manet, Cézanne and Renoir, among others, including Auguste Clésinger’s controversial "Woman Bitten by a Snake" from 1847. The imposing architectural masterpiece of the Museum itself sits on the bank of the Seine, opposite the Tuileries Gardens, and is a must-see in your visit to Paris.

Musée de Rodin

August Rodin was one of the world’s greatest neoclassical sculptors in the early 1900s. As a hugely influential artist in his contemporary scene, The Musée Rodin opened in 1919, after Rodin handed over his personal collection to the Government three years earlier. The museum now holds a number of sculptures, paintings, drawings and works by other artists such as Monet, Renoir and Van Gogh. Situated in Hôtel Biron, the museum is definitely worth a visit to expand your cultural appreciation of the early 20th century Parisian art scene.

Espace Dali

The surrealist artist Salvador Dali is one of the most recognised artists in the world from his ground-breaking masterpieces in cubism to impressionism. His enduring popularity means his works are as much appreciated to this day as they were before. L’espace Dali in Montmartre takes you through his metaphysical, religious and scientific inspirations, visible in his works. The museum is a must-see to learn about Dali’s individual artistic expression that challenged the art scene of the 1920s.

Musée des Égouts de Paris

The Paris sewer system dates back to 1370, and its design is the one of a kind. Attracting as many curious visitors as ever down the windy 500m paths alongside the Seine, The Musée des Égouts offers a tour down the tunnel’ s underground system illustrating how the sewage system has changed from its invention to today. Not for the claustrophobic, this underground museum provides a unique perspective into a lesser known part of Parisian social history.