Paris, known as the city of love, the capital of France, and of course, home of the ever-famous Eiffel tower, is one of the major European cities where you can find the taste for art, fashion, gastronomy, and culture.
There’s no denying that Paris is the dream place for travel. And what more way to enjoy your stay than to pay a visit to some of its prestigious and historically acclaimed museums.
That being said, here is the list of the must-visit best small museums in Paris that you shouldn’t miss.
Musée Jean-Jacques Henner
Showcasing collections of paintings and furniture from the neoclassical, romantic, and realism era, Musee Henner was named after the prestigious Grand Prix de Rome winner of 1858, Jean-Jacques Henner. A large selection of his works from his hometown Alsace and Paris are displayed in this private mansion built in the 3rd republic. He is also considered as a major artist of his time.
Musée Guimet
Established by Emile Guimet in 1889, Musee Guimet is considered the quickest route to Asia. With an eclectic architectural style, the museum offers 5,000 years of Asian art from collections like weapons, graphic arts, bronzes, ceramic, interior decors, designs, stamps, history, manuscripts, furniture, objects of everyday life, objects of culture, painting, religious art, sculpture, and textiles.
Guimet Museum showcases the aesthetic and explorative journey to the heart of Asia. They are also known as the place devoted to Asian Art.
Musée de l’Orangerie
Housed in the 19th century, this museum was once used to shelter citrus trees, hence, the name Orangerie.
This neoclassical-style museum is renowned for its collection of Impressionist, post-impressionist, and early-20th century paintings from various artists. But what will fascinate you the most is their murals of Claude Monet’s Water Lilies and the Jean Walter and Paul Guillaume permanent collection – one of the finest European collections of paintings
Galerie Nationale du jeu de Paume
Also known as Galerie National de l’Image, Jeu de Pau is situated right next door to the Orangerie. It was first built as a tennis court and later converted into an impressionist art and photography museum which was constructed in the 17th century. The museum’s goal is to showcase the history of photography, videos, and art in multimedia formats from known artists such as Roger Parry, Edward Steichen, Joel Meyerowitz, and Daniel Boudinet.
Petit Palais
Located on the Avenue des Champs-Elysees, the Petit Palais was built in 1900 for the Universal Exposition. They showcase artworks from ancient, medieval, French, Italian renaissance, Flemish, and Dutch paintings, and they also have collections of paintings from major French artists of the 19th century.
The museum also has a relaxing ambience as there is a small outdoor garden where you can stroll around and take pictures. And take note, their tickets are very affordable. So if you’re on a tight budget, you’ll have to include Petit Palais in your bucket list.
Musée de Cluny
Musee de Cluny is known as the small museum in Paris with the most complete medieval art collections and craftwork worldwide. This includes enormous varieties of antiques, tapestries, ivory, sculptures, stained glass, tombstones, weapons, shield, and reliquary.
Its art collections from the medieval era and rarity of the combined Gothic and Renaissance architecture is what makes it a very interesting museum to visit.
Musée Marmottan Monet
Located in the 16th arrondissement, Musee Marmottan-Monet was designed as a hunting lodge for the Duke of Valmy. It houses the city’s largest Impressionism collections and features over three hundred paintings by Claude Monet, including his 1872 Impression, Sunrise.
While this small museum in Paris can be a bit pricey, if you are a lover of Impressionism and Post-Impressionism, then this is worth the price.
Palais Galliera
Palais Galliera, the fashion museum of the city of Paris, was built in the 19th century. It showcases art from the neo-renaissance era which includes accessories, costumes, stamps, engraving, history, photography and textiles. The collection amounts to 100,000 pieces that reflect the fashion trend and habits of the rich in France from the 18th century until the modern-day.
Unfortunately, the museum’s availability is rare as they only hold exhibitions two or three times a year and by appointment only.
Musée Jacquemart-André
Owned by the Institut de France, the Musee Jacquemart-Andre offers tourists a unique opportunity to explore a wealthy 19th century home. This private museum has a Haussmannian architectural style and is considered as one of the most unique museums in Paris.
They present wonderful collections of masterpieces like archaeology, architecture, art decoration, beaux-arts, interior decors, instrument and objects of arts, and furniture from the byzantine, Moyen age, gothic, renaissance, baroque, neoclassical, and romantic era that are worthy of a great museum in a second empire mansion.
Unlike Palais Galliera, Musee Jacquemart-Andre is the only museum open seven days a week in Paris, from 10 am to 6 pm.
Maison Européenne de la Photographie
Founded in 1985, this centre was first named Espace Photo. It was then renamed to Maison Européenne de la Photographie in 1996 and became a major centre for contemporary photographic art.
This museum showcases over 20,000 astounding photographs from various artists with the goal to provide a diverse overview of contemporary photography. It also features works from the 20th and 21st-century photographers through individual retrospective exhibitions and special exhibitions relating to international photography, film screenings, guided tours, talks, conferences, workshops, and educational activities.
So for the big supporters of photography, this small museum in Paris should be your go-to!
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