Which Paris Museum is Best to Visit?
Which Paris museum is the best to visit? That’s the question we’ll discuss here: & the goal is to help you find the museum most suited to your needs. Because museums can be terribly boring if you’re in the wrong one! I’ll break down the highlights of each museum, show some photos (sometimes in Paris, the building is just as beautiful as the art inside), & suggest who might enjoy each museum the most…& who may not. Then I’ll list the nearest fabulous hotel by each museum ~ like the sumptuous Shangri-La Paris, which is located by the Paris Museum of Modern Art….& the Eiffel Tower!
The Musee D’Oray is my FAVORITE museum in Paris! Its upstairs cafe has gorgeous clocks, through which you can see famous Paris sights, like the Sacre Coeur.
A little bit of Paris trivia: Which famous Paris hotel did Carrie Bradshaw stay at in “Sex in the City?” Answer: the Hotel Plaza Athenee, which is set along the famed Champs-Elysee.
Map of Paris Museums
The Louvre
Musee D'Orsay
Musee De L'Orangerie
Paris Museum of Modern Art
Versailles
Overview of Top Paris Museums
Below you’ll find a quick overview of each Paris museum. In parentheses, I’ve noted how long you may want to spend at each museum. For more information, simply click on the museum name & it will take you to their website.
Note: The only museums OPEN on Mondays are the Louvre & the Musee de L’Orangerie.
The Louvre’s unique pyramidal-glass exterior is nearly as famous by now as anything in its interior…
- The Louvre (4-5 Hours) = The Most Famous Museum in the World. There’s the Louvre: & then there’s everything else. The most famous painting here is of course, Da Vinci’s “Mona Lisa” ~ which is oddly small in real life, & always surrounded by a LOT of tourists. But it’s still worth it to see in person! The “Winged Victory” statue is also very popular, as is the “Venus de Milo.” This is one of the largest museums in the world, so if you’re easily overwhelmed ~ fiure out what you really want to see (i.e. the Denon Wing, where the most famous artwork is).
To see everything in the Louvre would take more than a WEEK! So pace yourself…
Louvre Hours: Wednesday-Sunday, & Monday, 9AM-6PM. CLOSED on Tuesdays.
- Musee D’Orsay (2-3 Hours) = Home to Great Works by Van Gogh & Monet ~ Set in a Former Train Station. I LOVE the Musee D’Orsay. It’s my favorite Paris museum: I find it much more accessible & intimate than the Louvre. And it has so many bonuses: the gorgeous upstairs cafe with views of Paris through giant clocks; more recognizable art; & it’s so close to the Musee de L’Orangerie ~ you can visit both in the same afternoon.
Plus, they’re open late on Thursdays: so you can come make an evening of it.
Musee D’Orsay Hours: 9:30AM-6PM Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday-Sunday; 9:30AM-9:45PM THURSDAYS. CLOSED on Mondays.
- Musee de L’Orangerie (1 Hour) = Known for Monet’s Famous “Waterlilies.“ Set in the Tuilerie Gardens, close to the Louvre & Musee D’Orsay, is Musee de L’Orangerie. Their lower levels house Monet’s giant Impressionist masterpieces: his collection of “Waterlilies.” There are other things of interest here: but frankly, I can’t remember anything besides “Waterlilies.”
This will be your quickest museum tour in Paris!
L’Orangerie Hours: 9AM-6PM Weds-Monday; CLOSED on Tuesdays.
- Versailles (3-5 Hours) = The Most Famous Palace in the World ~ With Over 60,000 Pieces of Art! Versailles is best-known for its opulent gardens & brilliant “Hall of Mirrors.” But not everyone knows that it holds some of France’s most important art: its massive collection illustrates more than five centuries of French history. Plan to spend a whole day here if you’re a history-lover & want to view their collection, in addition to touring the palace itself.
Versailles Hours: Tuesday-Sunday, 9AM-6:30PM; CLOSED on Mondays.
- Paris Museum of Modern Art (2-3 Hours) = Featuring Art of the 20th & 21st-Centuries. Perhaps, history just isn’t your thing. For those more interested in contemporary art by masters such as Matisse, Suisse, & Dufy: the Museum of Modern Art is where to go. And it’s set in a beautiful location along the Seine, in the 16th Arrondisement.
Museum of Modern Art Hours: Tuesday-Sunday 10AM-6PM; CLOSED on Mondays.
Photos of the Louvre in Paris
The Louvre is Best For: The first-time Paris visitor who just wants to visit one museum: make it this one. It’s also great for history buffs & architecture lovers, & those with plenty of time; if you’re in a rush, the Louvre may not be worth it. Older children (12+) may enjoy ~ but young kids will likely get bored here.
Right from the get-go: you know that the Louvre is special, with its ultra-modern glass pyramid juxtaposed against centuries-old palacial structures.
The beauty of the Louvre is that you may find yourself drawn to quieter, less-known pieces, such as this lovely statue of a reclining young woman.
Part of the beauty of visiting the Louvre is that, not only does it house a massive amount of historic artwork ~ but the building itself is GORGEOUS, & photo-worthy in it of itself.
Hotels by the Louvre: If you want to stay within walking distance of the Louvre, read this article ~ or check out one of my favorites: Hotel Regina Louvre., which has stunning Eiffel Tower views.
Photos of the Musee D’Orsay
The Musee D’Orsay is Best For: Those who love something a little more intimate & charming: choose Musee D’Orsay over the Louvre. Or if Monet or Van Gogh is one of your favorite artists: definitely head here. Architecture-buffs will love the grand, former railway arches here & the famous upstairs clocks. And “ladies who lunch” will enjoy their upstairs cafe.
Monet is my favorite artist, & is one reason I love the Musee D’Orsay so much: as it features many of his famous paintings.
The bustling upstairs restaurant with its famous clocks!
Van Gogh’s work is unmistakable.
Great Hotel by the Musee D’Orsay: Right across from the museum is the sumptuous Hotel D’Orsay ~ which is still reasonably priced, at around $200/night!
Photos of L’Orangerie & Versailles
Musee De L’Orangerie is Best For: Monet-lovers who are short on time! One hour here will let you take in his famous “Waterlilies” series…
Monet’s “Waterlilies” is the MAIN event at L’Orangerie.
Versailles is Best For: EVERYONE! Garden & nature lovers, history buffs, even children will be mesmerized here ~ with plenty of room to roam & explore. Spend at least a half-day here ~ or spend the night nearby so you don’t have to rush. If you have a limited time in Paris: skip it until next time.
Versailles is known for its gardens: but many people don’t realize, they also have a HUGE art collection inside the palace.
In the “Gallery of Great Battles” for instance, you can take a visual tour through some of Europe’s most epic battles.
Verailles’ Hall of Mirrors is not to be missed.
Amazing Hotel Stays by Versailles: Check into the luxurious, 5-star Waldorf Astoria Versailles ~ Trianon Palace, which is set on the edge of Versaille’s gardens, in a historic early 1900’s building. And it’s not as expensive as you might think here…with rooms starting in the $200’s.
Paris Museum of Modern Art
The Museum of Modern Art is Best For: Those who are tired of anything old. For fresh & NEW, contemporary & colorful art ~ head to the Museum of Modern Art. They also offer workshops & “Discovery Visits” for families, so this is a good option if you’re traveling with children in Paris.
The Paris Museum of Modern Art.
Great Hotel by the Paris Museum of Modern Art: The stunning Shangri-La Paris is just a few blocks from the museum, & offers amazing views of the Eiffel Tower from several rooms. It’s one of Beyonce’s favorite places to stay in Paris!
The Shangri-La Paris is a Beyonce favorite! Photo: Capital FM.
Other Notable Museum Mentions…
Three of the most famous artists in the world have museums dedicated to them in Paris: Picasso, Monet, & Rodin. These are, the Musee National Picasso-Paris, the Musee Marmottan Monet, & the Rodin Museum ~ which is known for its beautiful Sculpture Garden. If you have an affinity for one of these artists & don’t mind missing out on some diversity: then a visit to one of these museums may be a great idea.
Which Paris Museum is Best to Visit?
I hope this article has helped you hone in on the Paris museum that’s best for you! If you’d like to stay close to the Louvre, check out these amazing hotels that are in walking distance. Or if you’d like to explore a more “haunted” Paris, read about the city’s creepy catacombs,
xoxo Noelia
Read Next: Best Brunch Spots in Paris, France
Pin It
Helpful article. It’s always hard to decide which sights you really want to see in a city, and there are so many museums in Paris, it’s hard to know where to go! This article really helps to narrow it down.
Hi Jackson, thanks! I agree, it can be hard to decide what to do in a big city ~ especially one as gorgeous as Paris! xoxo Noelia