Hotel Enthusiast » Spring Breaks » Paris city guide » Paris Museums and Galleries

Paris Museums and Galleries

Paris is rich in culture and history and some of the oldest museums and art galleries in the world are located here. Some of the most well respected and glorious artists and painters have lived and died here. In true French style, all the museums and galleries are located in some of the most beautiful architecture in Paris. The palace where Le Louvre is located is a work of art in itself.

The best way to visit the Paris museums is to purchase a Paris Museum Card which gives you free admission for one or two days to almost all the museums and as there's a special entrance for card holders means you don’t have to queue. The cost is about €20 for one day and €45 for two days. You can purchase them at the Office de Tourisme et des Congrès de Paris [OTCP] 25, rue des Pyramides but also in metro stations and many other places.

Musée du Louvre

Musée du Louvre: [Rue de Rivoli 40-20-53-17] Spread over a 100 acres, with 300,000 pieces of art, the world's largest museum and probably the most famous. The Louvre museum is situated in a faboulous palace and home to the Mona Lisa, probably the most famous exhibit in the world. However, it's not just the Mona Lisa you should come for. The walls and covered with masterpiece after masterpiece and it's almost too overwhelming at times. To do the whole thing takes two days but you can get a good look at what you might buy your lover for next christmas in a couple of hours. The Louvre is huge but there are English-language tours lasting over an hour and this may be a good option - available each day except Tuesday and Sundays. Audioguides are also available. Not to be missed. [Metro: Louvres] [Admission 8.50€. On Sunday, free for children 17 and under; free for all ages first Sun of every month] [Open: Mon - and Wed 09.00 - 21.30 Thurs - Sun 09.00 - 18.00] www.louvre.fr

Jardin des Plantes

Jardin des Plantes - Musée National d'Histoire Naturelle: [Rue Cuvier 01 4079 3000] A wonderful oasis in the heart of Paris. The Jardin des Plantes is a place for those who like plants. You can wander around at your will and visit the Alpine Garden, the Glasshouses and recharge your batteries. Admission 8€ [Wednesday to Monday 10.00 - 17.00] [Metro: Gare d’Austerlitz]

Musee d'Orsay

Musee d'Orsay: [1, rue de la Legion d'Honneur 01 4049 4814] It officially became the home to the state's collection of 19th-century art in 1986, opening to huge crowds, and boasts the world's best collection of French avant-garde art of the 1900s The museum's nationally-owned collections originate from three main institutions: the Musée du Louvre [for works by artists born after 1820], the Musée du Jeu de Paume [dedicated since to Impressionism] and finally the Musée National d'Art Moderne [for works by artists born after 1870]. Here you can experience works by Manet, Fantin de La Tour, Monet, Renoir, Caillebotte, Gauguin, Van Gogh, Degas and Cézanne and the list of masterpieces goes on. It's more accessible and compact than the Louvre and the huge atrium provides a natural light that is perfect for viewing the paintings. [Metro: Solférino ] [Open Mon - Sun 10.00 to 18.00] www.musee-orsay.fr

Pompidou Center

Pompidou Center: [Place Georges Pompidou 01 4478 1233] The Pompidou Center is one of the most spectacular buildings in Paris. Designed by architects Renzo Piano and Richard Rodgers to bring art and culture to the man in the street. Looking like the guts of the building are actually on the outside with a glass facade and pipes and stairs on the outside, the Pompidou Center is unforgettable. The Museum has large collections of paintings spanning the 20th century and including works by the most famous artists including Picasso, Braque, Max Ernst, Magritte, Chagall, Matisse, Delaunay and Kandinsky. [Metro: Rambuteau ] [Open Wed - Mon ] Admission 10€

Tour Eiffel

Tour Eiffel: [Champ de Mars 01 4496 5033] The Eiffel Tower was built for the International Exhibition of Paris of 1889 commemorating the centenary of the French Revolution and at 300 metres [320.75m including antenna], and 7000 tons, it was the world's tallest building until 1930. The fasinating history is a symbol of Paris and France. Elevators take you up on this spectacular ascent providing glimpses of the extraordinary bold architecture of the monument. The 18-meter climb ends with a breathtaking view of Paris. There are two levels - one outdoors and the other indoors - for you to explore and discover Paris by day or by night. [Metro: Tocadero ]