Top 10 museums in Paris
1- Le Louvre
With almost 7 million visitors a year coming from all countries, the Musée du Louvre is the most visited museum in the world. Its impressive surface reaches 52 acres, of which only 15 acres are devoted to temporary exhibitions. Known for its famous entrance – a glass pyramid in the middle of Louis XIV’s historic buildings – its treasures are as numerous as they are precious, such as the Venus de Milo, Le Radeau de la Méduse from the painter Eugène Delacroix, the huge painting of David showing Napoleon’s coronation, and – of course – Mona Lisa (La Joconde).
2- Centre Georges Pompidou
Known for its particular architecture, this huge area contains plenty of temporary exhibitions running all year round. There are many interesting exhibitions of modern art, sculptures, paintings, graphic arts, design, photography, books, music, cinema… It retains Europe’s biggest public library and one of the three greatest collections of modern art in the world (the two first are set in the Tate Britain in London and the Museum of Modern Art in New York). With 6 million visitors each year, the Centre Pompidou is the most visited monument of Paris behind the Louvre and the Eiffel Tower.
3- Notre-Dame-de-Paris
Where the big bell called The Bourdon is nestled, Notre-Dame is the most famous cathedral in the world, according to the French novelist Victor Hugo who wrote a book called The Hunchback of Notre-Dame. Contrary to what you may think, there is an unbelievable collection inside the cathedral: from golden crowns to jewels belonging to the Kings of France. Saint Louis even brought a piece of Christ’s crown of thorns, which is displayed today in the cathedral’s museum.
4- Musée d’Orsay
This marvellous former railway station has been transformed into a superb museum of sculptures and world famous paintings from painters such as Courbet, Cezanne, Van Gogh, Monet, Matisse, Gauguin, and many others. It is set along the Seine River on the other side of the Tuileries Gardens and the Champs-Elysées.
5- Musée Rodin
This museum is dedicated to the famous French Sculptor Auguste Rodin and contains his most significant creations, including the original works of The Thinker, The Kiss, and The Gates of Hell. Known as one of the most accessible museums in Paris, it is set behind the Invalides at the Hotel Biron where Rodin established his workshop. Nevertheless, some paintings of Claudel, Monet, and Van Gogh are exhibited in this museum, as they were part of Rodin’s personal collection.
6- Grand Palais
Like the Centre Georges Pompidou, the Grand Palais is just a place for temporary events. It is set near the Champs-Elysees and hosted many collections, such as Picasso’s who was seen by more than 700,000 people in only 4 months. Last year, the Grand Palais even hosted a series of concerts of the American singer Prince, as well as fencing’s world championships.
7- Musée de l’Orangerie
Set in the Tuileries Gardens, next to the Place de la Concorde, this museum has many paintings from Renoir, Pissarro, Monet, and many other artists from the Impressionism period. There are also some of Picasso’s paintings in the Musée de l’Orangerie.
8- Musée du Quai Branly
It is also called the Museum of Arts and African, Asian, Oceania, and American civilisations. Set down the Eiffel Tower, this brand new museum was inaugurated by former French president Jacques Chirac in 2006 with two people who received the Peace Nobel Prize (Kofi Annan and Rigoberta Menchú).
9- Musée national de la Marine – Trocadéro
Just opposite the Eiffel tower and the Champ de Mars, the Trocadéro is a half-circle building that comprises several museums, including the Marina museum. Sail back in time through 400 years of French naval history!
10- Cité des Sciences et de l’Industrie
Set in the Parc de la Villette, it was created on the initiative of the former French president Valery Giscard d’Estaing. The purpose is to spread to children as well as teenagers all the scientific and technical knowledge and to arouse the interest of citizens in the social issues related to science, R&D, and industry development. The Cite des Sciences is a very good place to have fun and resolve enigmas related to science…