Museums Not To Miss In Paris

There’s so much to see and do in Paris that it’s difficult knowing where to start. Here’s a handy guide to the top attractions in the city to help you plan and make the most of your stay in this beautiful city.

A great way to save money if you’re planning to visit lots of museums and attractions in Paris is to buy a Paris Museum Pass, which can be obtained at any participating establishment. It gives access to over 60 attractions and as well as saving you money it will allow you to jump the queues. See www.parismuseumpass.fr for details.

Another important point when planning your visit is that most museums and galleries in Paris are closed one day per week, usually Monday or Tuesday. Also, some museums offer free or reduced admission on Sundays.

Admission fees given below are for full price adult tickets.

Cathédrale de Notre Dame

Description: The Cathédrale de Notre Dame is a magnificent Gothic cathedral in l’île de la Cité, the oldest part of Paris. It was completed in 1345 after two centuries of construction work. In the crypt are foundations from the earliest part of the buildings and from previous Roman buildings on the site. There are wonderful views all over Paris from the top of its two towers.

Location: place du Parvis Notre Dame, l’île de la Cité
Métro: Cité
Opening hours: 07.45 to 18.45 Monday to Saturday (towers open 09.00 to 17.15)
Admission: donation only
Website: www.cathedraledeparis.com

La Tour Eiffel

Description: The Eiffel Tower is the most famous symbol of Paris. When it was built at the end of the 19th century for the Paris Exposition it was the tallest building in the world. Take the lift and/or stairs up to the top for fabulous views of the city.

Location: Champ de Mars
Métro: Bir Hakeim, Trocadéro, École Militaire
Opening hours: open daily throughout year – January to June and September to December 09.30 to 23.45 (last admission to top 22:30), July and August 09.00 to 00.45 (last admission to top 23.00)
Admission: 11€ to the top
Website: www.tour-eiffel.fr

L’Arc de Triomphe

Description: This grand triumphal arch in the centre of Place d’Étoile was built by Napoléon to honour the French Army. It’s a war memorial commemorating those who have died in various battles and the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier with its eternal flame lies underneath it.

Location: place de l’étoile
Métro: Charles de Gaulle Étoile
Opening hours: open daily throughout year – April to September 10.00 to 23.00, October to March 10.00 to 22.30 (last admission 30 minutes before closing)
Admission: 8€
Website: www.monum.fr/prehome/prehome.dml

Musée du Louvre

Description: The Louvre Palace is a spectacular Renaissance building and the famous museum within it contains one of the most important collections of fine art in the world. Collections: Egyptian, Roman and Oriental antiquities, European painting from 12th to 19th century, Leonardo’s Mona Lisa.

Location: rue de rivoli
Métro: Palais Royal Musée du Louvre
Opening hours: 09.00 to 18.00 every day except Tuesday
Admission: 8.50€, admission free on the first Sunday of every month
Website: www.louvre.fr

Musée d’Orsay

Description: This art gallery is an impressive collection of art from 1850-1950. Collections: impressionism (Renoir, Monet, Degas), post-impressionism (Van Gogh, Gaugin, Toulouse-Lautrec, Cézanne.

Location: 1 rue de bellechasse
Métro: Solférino
Opening hours: Tuesday to Sunday 09.30 to 18.00, Thursday 09.30 to 21.45, closed on Mondays
Admission: 7.50€, admission free on the first Sunday of every month
Website: www.musee-orsay.fr

Musée National d’art Moderne

Description: France’s national collection of modern art. It’s located in the Pompidou Centre. Notable artists: Yves Klein, Matisse, Picasso, Miró and Warhol.

Location: place Georges Pompidou
Métro: Hôtel de Ville, Châtelet, Rambuteau
Opening hours: daily except Tuesdays 11.00 to 21.00 (last admission 20.00)
Admission: 10€ (ticket includes entry to all museums and exhibitions within the Centre Pompidou)
Website: www.centrepompidou.fr

Musée Carnavalet

Description: This history museum traces the development of the city of Paris from Roman times to the present day. The displays are fascinating and captivating and the Renaissance palace in which it is housed is also impressive.

Location: 23 rue de Sevigné
Métro: St Paul
Opening hours: Tuesday to Sunday 10.00 to 17.30, closed on Mondays
Admission: 8€
Website: www.carnavalet.paris.fr

Hôtel des Invalides

Description: this splendid building was commissioned by Louis XIV as a hospital for injured soldiers. It’s now a military history museum, Musée de l’Armée. Collections: armour, swords, guns, uniforms, canons, standards and flags. Napoleon’s tomb is located within the complex and there’s a section in the museum containing artefacts that belonged to him. The section on World War Two is also very interesting.

Location: place des invalides
Métro: Varenne, Latour-Maubourg, St François-Xavier, Invalides
Opening hours: open daily except on the first Monday of every month, 10.00 to 17.00 October to March, 10.00 to 18.00 April to September
Admission: 7.50€
Website: www.invalides.org

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