12 Paris Museums to Visit Other Than the Louvre
Save some money and immerse yourself in Parisian culture.
Each year, over 50 million tourists flock to Paris, drawn by its charm, history, and culture. One of the first stops for most visitors? The Louvre. As the world’s most-visited museum, it captivates millions with masterpieces like the "Mona Lisa" and "Venus de Milo," making it a must-see destination. The only downside to this beautiful museum? Its price. Due to its rich history and popularity, The Louvre raised ticket prices by 30 percent. The museum first increased its admission cost to €17 in 2017, and the new price of €22 took effect on January 1, 2025. While it's close to the average museum ticket price in a place like New York City, it's a lot higher than the norm in Europe.
France holds an abundance of stellar museums that might not get the same attention as The Louvre. These lesser-known spots could make your European adventure all the more special. While The Louvre has a prominent role in French history, showcases some of the world's most exquisite gems, and even has its own pop ballad, France is filled with tons of other museum options that might not break the bank. Follow along to learn about a few other museum destinations for your next trip to Paris.
Musée d'Orsay
Step into a world of French history through 19th and 20th-century art at Musée d'Orsay, located on the Left Bank of the stunning and famous Seine. The museum is currently showing a number of limited edition exhibits from Van Gogh to Louis Janmot to Peter Doig to Blanche Derousse. Some integrate technology with decades-old artifacts but most items displayed at Musée d'Orsay remain rooted in French history.
General Admission Price: €16
Tickets available at Musée d'Orsay
Musée Yves Saint Laurent
In an exploration of Yves Saint Laurent's life as one of the most influential fashion designers, the Musée Yves Saint Laurent focuses on the designer's creation of his collections as well as the history behind twentieth haute couture. With exhibitions delving into sectors of YSL's fashion house and special programming like their upcoming Creative Wednesday event, guests can dive into the world of fashion head first.
General Admission Price: €10
Tickets available at Musée Yves Saint Laurent
Musée Picasso
The Musée Picasso, located in the Hôtel Salé, is an art gallery filled with over 5,000 works of Pablo Picasso. From famous paintings to personal archives, this gallery tells the story of one of the most famous artists of his time. Outside of the many Picasso works on display, the Musée Picasso shows one additional exhibit at a time with another artists work. The French artist, photographer, and writer Sophie Calle is currently on display in an exploration of many of her central themes.
General Admission Price: €16
Tickets available at Musée Picasso
Fondation Louis Vuitton
The contemporary art museum, funded by the LMVH Group, is "committed to making art and culture accessible to all," according to the museum's website. Since its opening in 2014, the Fondation Louis Vuitton in Paris has commissioned artists to make specific installations for the museum ranging across various mediums, including contemporary art, concerts, films, and other performances.
General Admission Price: €16
Tickets available at The Fondation Louis Vuitton
Atelier des Lumières
Enter a multimedia wonderland at Atelier des Lumières, located in the heart of Paris. This immersive museum incorporates art, music, and video into one, promising a unique and multidimensional experience. This is not your traditional art museum. Instead, it's dynamic, mesmerizing, and eccentric.
General Admission Price: €11+
Tickets available at Atelier des Lumières
Musée de l’Armée des Invalides
The Musée de l’Armée des Invalides dissects French military history and holds an array of over 500,000 weapons, uniforms, artillery, armor, and even paintings. In 1905, the Musée d'Artillerie and the Musée Historique de l'Armée merged to create the Musee de l’Armee des Invalides. Since then, the newly named museum has served Paris and tourists with a deep understanding of the militant history in France.
General Admission Price: €15
Tickets available at Musée de l’Armée.
Petit Palais
The Petit Palais not only showcases French, Greek, and Roman art but also houses the City of Paris Museum of Fine Arts. With an array of art styles, this classic French art museum is considered a historical monument with some of the world's most famous pieces, including "Sultane Reine," "The Death of Leonardo da Vinci," and "The Birth of Venus."
General Admission Price: €12
Tickets available at Petit Palais
Musée Rodin
The Musée Rodin, nestled in the heart of Paris, offers a unique journey through the works of the renowned sculptor Auguste Rodin. With nearly 400 pieces of his work In the elegant Hôtel Biron and its lush gardens, visitors can explore pairs of masterpieces that speak to Rodin’s genius, including "The Thinker," "The Gates of Hell" and "The Kiss."
General Admission Price: €14
Tickets available at Musée Rodin.
Musée de l'Orangerie
The Musée de l'Orangerie, located in the Tuileries Gardens in Paris, is a haven for lovers of Impressionist and Post-Impressionist art. Its crown jewel is Claude Monet’s Water Lilies, displayed in two oval rooms designed to create an immersive, meditative experience. The museum also features the Jean Walter and Paul Guillaume Collection, showcasing works by renowned artists like Renoir, Cézanne, Picasso, and Modigliani. Together, these masterpieces offer a rich exploration of artistic innovation and the beauty of modern art.
General Admission Price: €12.50
Tickets available at Musée de l'Orangerie.
Centre Pompidou
The Centre Pompidou is a vibrant cultural hub in Paris, showcasing a dynamic pairing of modern and contemporary art. These pairings, along with an impressive architectural design, make the Centre Pompidou a must-visit for art enthusiasts.
General Admission Price: €15
Tickets available at Centre Pompidou.
