sign in sign up
<<
Home , Centre Pompidou, Museums in Paris

INSIDR POCKET GUIDE 2020 MUSEUMS

Paris has a staggering total of 206 museums and 1,016 art galleries!

To help you prioritize and organize your visits, we have put together a very simple and practical pocket guide that includes information on which days and hours are bets for visiting certain museums, which museums have the best cafes and restaurants. We’ve also included a list of our favorite museum boutiques for buying sou- venirs!

As a bonus, we’ve also added links for booking tickets directly as well as some links to awesome discounts!

TRAVELLERS, NOT TOURISTS! Find all our tips on insidr.co 2 PARIS MUSEUMS WHAT TO KNOW

Paris was once home to many great artists like Picasso and Dali and continues to breed a new generation of artists. Today, no two museums are the same. Each one has its own unique exhibition, permanent collection, and some even have their own cafes and boutiques as you’ll fnd out through this guide! But before you continue, here are the top similarities between .

FREE ADMISSIONS Most museums in Paris allow free admissions to minors under 18 years old. And if you’re an EU citi- zen, you’re can enter for free until you’re 26 years old! On top of that, museums also waive entry fees ev- ery 1st Sunday of each month.

EXHIBITIONS Major exhibitions in Paris, espe- cially from the biggest museums, generally open new exhibitions in March and in October. Therefore spring and autumn are great sea- sons for visiting for art-lovers.

SCHEDULES It’s important to know that muse- ums in Paris generally close 1 day per week. They also run normal business hours with last admis- sions at around 4-5pm. Luckily, some of the large museums open until late a few nights of the week.

Ask us all your questions on m.me/insidrparis 3 PARIS MUSEUMS TOP FAVORITES

From the architecturally breathtaking to the biggest and most beautiful, each of these Parisian museums have a magnet that draws us in visit after visit. If your Paris time is limited, make sure to visit at least one of these museums.

Musée du Palais-Royal Musée du Louvre PRACTICAL INFO

The Louvre is one of the world’s largest muse- ■ 9am–6pm; until 9:45pm ums hosting over 30,000 pieces of art. Though on Wed and Fri it’ll be impossible to see everything in one go, ■ Closed on Mondays it’s defnitely a top Paris experience and worth ■ 17€ full rate, free for the visit! Beyond the Mona Lisa and the Venus under 18 1 de Milo, don’t miss seeing the Apartments of ■ Free entry every 1st III. Saturday of the month from 6pm-9:45pm BUY TICKETS HERE

Musée d’Orsay Solférino / Musée d’Orsay ■ 9:30am-6pm; until 9:45pm on Thurs This museum was built on what once was a ■ Closed on Mondays train station building which will explain the ■ 14€ full rate, 11€ re- architecture inside. This national museum is a duced, free for under 18 strong favorite of many, French and foreigners ■ Only 18€ for combined alike, for its amazing collection of Impressionist, tickets for the Orsay and 2 Realist, Art nouveau works and many more. Orangerie museums. BUY TICKETS HERE

Rambuteau / Hotel de Ville ■ 11am-9pm; until 11pm Also known as the National Museum of Modern on Thurs for exhibitions , this is the only museum in the world ■ Closed on Tuesdays to offer an overall view of the 20th and 21st cen- ■ 14€ full rate; 11€ re- tury. Take a historical journey through art with duced, free for under 18 Matisse, Picasso, Kandinsky, and Warhol among ■ Remember to down- many others. load the free audio guide 3 app beforehand. BUY TICKETS HERE

Musée du quai Branly - Alma-Marceau / Iéna / Bir Hakeim ■ 10:30am–7pm; until We love this museum for 3 reasons: (1) Its 10pm on Thu architecture is stunning and designed by Jean ■ Closed on Mondays Nouvel. (2) Access to its beautiful gardens are ■ 12€ full rate but you FREE. (3) It has the most exquisite collections can get 25% off with about African, Asian, Oceanian and American your INSIDR voucher! arts and civilizations. Plus, the museum has 2 ■ Make sure to see the restaurants: Cafe Jacques and Les Ombres. from the 4 museum gardens! GET YOUR DISCOUNT VOUCHER HERE

Follow our daily Paris stories on instagram.com/insidr.co 4 PARIS MUSEUMS TOP FAVORITES

Musée de Concorde / Tuileries PRACTICAL INFO l’Orangerie You’ll fnd the Orangerie museum in the Tuile- ■ 9am-6pm ries garden overlooking . ■ Closed on Tuesdays This is where you can see Monet’s famous Wa- ■ 9€ full rate; 6.50€ re- terlilies under natural light as well as the works duced, free for under 18 of other heavyweights like Renoir, Cezanne, and ■ Orangerie tickets at 5 Matisse. We recommend buying combined these rates can only be tickets to Musée de l’Orangerie and Musée d’Or- bought at the museum. say. They are 10 minutes away from each other and it has a better value overall.

BUY COMBINED TICKETS HERE

Musée Rodin Varenne / Invalides ■ 10am – 5:45pm ■ Closed on Mondays The Rodin Museum is housed in a breathtak- ■ 12€ full rate, 9€ re- ing 18th century mansion where enjoying the duced sculptures and paintings will surely transport ■ You can get combined you back in time. Don’t miss admiring the fa- tickets for Musee Rodin mous statue “The Thinker” at the outdoor gar- Paris and Musee d’Orsay 6 den on a sunny day. for 21€ BUY TICKETS HERE

Saint-Paul / Saint-Sébastien-Froissart ■ 10:30am–6pm Tue-Fri, Musée Picasso 9:30am-6pm on week- Found in the beautiful Marais district, the Picas- ends and public holidays so Museum in Paris will treat you to Picasso’s ■ Closed on Mondays over 5,000 works of art, over 20,000 of his per- ■ 12.50€ full rate, 11€ sonal documents, and to his private collection reduced 7 as well. BUY TICKETS HERE

Château de Chateau de Versailles ■ April 1-Oct 31: Versailles 9am-6:30pm And while you’re in Paris, don’t miss out on ta- Nov 1-Mar 31: king a short train ride to Versailles to see the 9am-5:30pm world-famous palace. The Chateau has not only Last admission is at been preserved to refect its past opulence, the 4:45pm palace gardens are also an attraction of their ■ Closed on Mondays own. ■ Tickets to the palace: 8 €18, free for under 18 BUY TICKETS HERE ■ Free access to the gar- dens for kids from 0-5

Never miss an update on facebook.com/insidrparis 5 PARIS MUSEUMS PLAN YOUR VISITS

It’s very important to know which days of the week museums have less visitors. We’ve created a quick and easy guide for you to follow!

PARIS MUSEUMS LIGHT TRAFFIC HOURS MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY

Musée du Louvre Orangerie Musée du Louvre Château de - before 11am Museum - before 11am Versailles - before 10am - before 10am Rodin Museum Musée d’Orsay - before 12pm Musée d’Orsay - before 12pm - before 12pm Rodin Museum - before 12pm Château de Versailles - from 3:45pm Fondation Louis Orangerie until last Vuitton Museum admission - 5pm-7pm - 5pm-6pm Musée d’Orsay - 6pm-9:45pm

INSIDR TIPS

Monday: Orangerie Museum and Overall, weekends are Centre Pompidou not a good idea be- Tuesday: Rodin Museum and cause local Parisians and Versailles Palace (Consequence of travellers will all rush to Louvre being closed) the museums—espe- Wednesday: Louvre (Higher fows cially for big temporary because of Tuesday’s closing day) exhibitions. The last DAYS TO AVOID days of an exhibition are Weekend: Centre Pompidou, Ver- always fooded by visitors sailles Palace, Louis Vuitton, Orsay as well. Museum

Never miss an update on facebook.com/insidrparis Download more Free Guides on insidr.co/free-guide-form 6 PARIS MUSEUMS MUSEUMS OPEN UNTIL LATE

It’s very important to know which days of the week museums have less visi- tors. We’ve created a quick and easy guide for you to follow!

PARIS MUSEUMS LATE NIGHT SCHEDULE MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY

Centre Jeu de Paume Musee du Louvre Musee du Quai Musee du Louvre Pompidou - until 9pm - until 9:45pm Branly - Jacques - until 9:45pm - until 9pm Chirac Fondation Centre - until 10pm Musee d’Orsay Palais de Cartier pour l’Art Pompidou - until 9:45pm - until midnight Contemporain - until 9pm Musee d’Orsay - until 10pm - until 9:45pm Centre Palais de Tokyo Pompidou - until midnight Centre - until 9pm Pompidou - until 11 pm Palais de Tokyo - until midnight Palais de Tokyo - until midnight

WEEKENDS Centre Pompidou Palais de Tokyo - until 9pm - until midnight

In most museums, special events INSIDR TIPS are held once a month during the late closing hours. The easiest way to fnd Musee d’Orsay organizes concerts, information about these movie screenings and even dance events is to get in touch performances on Thursday evenings with the INSIDR team! once every 3 months. Send us a message by EVENING SPECIALS Musee du Louvre holds classical e-mail or on Facebook music concerts twice a month at and we can offer sug- 12:30pm & 8pm in the Auditorium du gestions on what to do in Louvre located at the Carrousel du Paris during your trip! [email protected] Louvre. facebook.com/insidrparis

Follow us on facebook.com/insidrparis 7 PARIS MUSEUMS HIDDEN GEMS IN THE CITY

If you’ve already been to the Louvre, Orsay, and Pompidou museums, perhaps it’s time to discover these hidden gems of museums in the city!

Musée de la Chasse et / Hotel de Ville de la Nature PRACTICAL INFO This museum is a true hidden gem and an IN- ■ Open from 11am – 6pm SIDR team favorite. It is a private museum lo- ■ Closed on Mondays cated in the heart of Le Marais in a typical 17th ■ 8€ full rate, free for century Parisian urban mansion. In between under 18 Naturalism, traditional Art and Contempo- ■ Tickets are not available 1 rary Art, it is the kind of museum which will online but it’s a small please everyone. museum and the line is never too bad.

Palais de Tokyo Iéna / Alma Marceau ■ exhibitions will open on February 21, 2020 Palais de Tokyo focuses on cutting-edge Con- ■ 12pm – 12am temporay Art from Europe and International ■ Closed on Tuesdays Artists. It is the French equivalent of the PS1 Art ■ €15 full rate, free for Center in New York. Every event produced is under 18 extremely qualitative and presents vast exhibi- ■ Do check out Palais de 2 tions in an unique environment. Tokyo’s amazing statio- BUY TICKETS HERE nery and bookstore!

Musée des Arts Palais Royal / Pyramides Décoratifs ■ 11am–6pm This museum is located within an aisle of the ■ Closed on Mondays former . It focuses on crafts and ■ 15€ full rate, 11€ re- design history. Their ancient and modern jew- duced elry collection is every woman’s dream. Do not ■ Buy combined tickets miss it! to visit both the per- manent collection and temporary exhibitions. 3 BUY TICKETS HERE

Musée Gustave Pigalle / Saint Georges ■ Open from 10am – Moreau Another hidden gem that every art lover should 5:15pm go to while in Paris! Located in the former house ■ Closed on Tuesdays of the French painter Gustave Moreau, it is a ■ 7€ full rate, free for time-capsule of the artistic Parisian life in the under 18 19th century. ■ Tickets can only be pur- 4 chased at the museum.

Discover beautiful Paris spots on instagram.com/insidr.co 8 PARIS MUSEUMS TOP EXHIBITIONS IN 2020

Here are the top exhibitions to look forward to in the beginning of 2020. Defnitely try to book your tickets in advance!

Atelier des Lumières

Monet, Renoir, Chagall… Journeys around the Mediterranean February 28 to December 31, 2020 1 BUY TICKETS HERE

Paris Palais de la Porte Dorée

Christian Louboutin exhibition: L’Exhibition[niste] 2 February 25 to July 28, 2020 MORE INFO HERE

Centre Pompidou

An exhibition celebrating ’s 150th birthday

May 13 to August 31, 2020

3 MORE INFO HERE

Ask us your questions on m.me/insidrparis 9 PARIS MUSEUMS BEST CAFÉS

Imagine a great museum, a gorgeous open space, and a cosy cafe all combined in one place. Food for the stomach and food for the soul, too! Here are our favorite museum cafés in Paris!

Café Jacques Alma-Marceau / Iéna / Bir Hakeim PRACTICAL INFO

After you’ve visited the Quai Branly - Jacques ■ 10:30am – 6:30pm; until Chirac museum, take a lovely pause at the new- 9:30 on Thursddays ly-refurbished Café Jacques. This outdoor café is ■ Closed on Mondays perhaps one of the chicest ones in Paris that has ■ 27€ for 1 starter + 1 a view of the Eiffel Tower! It is under the umbrel- main or 1 main + 1 dessert 1 la of the Alain Ducasse brand so you can only ■ Remember that entry expect top-notch service and quality dishes. to the museum gardens is free!

Café Jacquemart - Saint-Augustin / Miromesnil ■ 11:45am-5:30pm Mon- André Fri; 11am-5:30pm Sat-Sun If you’d like to step inside a mansion in Paris, ■ until 7pm on Mondays make sure to pay Musée Jacquemart-André a during exhibitions visit. And while you’re at it, sit down for some ■ The cafe can be ac- treats at the museum’s gorgeous tea room. cessed independently of Here, you can enjoy pastries from Stohrer and the museum 2 Petite Marquise!

Le Jardin du Champs-Élysées Clemenceau ■ 10am-5pm; until 7pm The Petit Palais plays host to some amazing on Fridays artwork but in our opinion, the real beauty and ■ Closed on Mondays reason to visit the museum is to enjoy its archi- ■ Order the meal of the tecture and its secret café in the courtyard of day (main + dessert) for the stunning inner garden. €16.90 ■ Admission to the Petit 3 Palais is FREE!

Iéna / Alma Marceau / Pont de l’Alma The Readymade ■ 12pm-12am This is the ideal place to relax before or after your ■ Closed on Tuesdays visit to Palais de Tokyo. We love this eco-friendly ■ If you’re in the mood cafe which is almost completely furnished by re- for a fuller meal, we ceycled materials! recommend its sister restaurant Les Grands Verres located in the 4 same building.

Follow our daily Paris stories on instagram.com/insidr.co 10 PARIS MUSEUMS BEST RESTAURANTS

Some of the nicest restaurants in Paris are located inside stunning museums! There are top choices for a memorable date or special occasion.

Les Ombres Alma-Marceau / Iéna / Bir Hakeim PRACTICAL INFO

Les Ombres at Quai Branly - Jacques Chirac ■ 12pm-2:15pm for lunch Museum is a refned Parisian restaurant serving ■ 7pm-10:30pm for contemporary cuisine in a beautiful setting. The dinner restaurant is situated on the sunny roof terrace ■ The restaurant can be of the museum which is itself surrounded by a accessed independently 1 lush garden. Les Ombres is the ideal place to of the museum have dinner while watching the sun set behind the Eiffel Tower.

Loulou Restaurant Palais Royal / Pyramides ■ 11:45am-5:30pm Mon- Fri; 11am-5:30pm Sat-Sun Loulou is a stunning restaurant hosted in the ■ until 7pm on Mondays Musée des Arts Décoratifs which is located in during exhibitions an aisle of the former Louvre Palace. Fine Italian ■ The cafe can be ac- food and the incredible outdoor terrace in the cessed independently of Carrousel du Louvre gardens make it absolutely the museum 2 unique.

Monsieur Bleu Iéna / Alma Marceau ■ open daily The gourmet Monsieur Bleu at Palais de To- ■ lunch from 12pm- kyo is a favourite power-lunch venue for the art 2:30pm; dinner from world’s movers and shakers. The prices are not 7pm-11pm cheap but that’s the price you pay to enjoy a ■ open for drinks ‘til 2am meal with a view of the Eiffel Tower. ■ Average cost per per- 3 son is 45€

Champs-Élysées Clemenceau MiniPalais ■ 10am-2am daily Located in at the in Paris’ luxurious ■ They serve an a la carte 8th arrondissement, MiniPalais is defnitely a menu from noon to place to visit. The menu is by chef Eric Frechon midnight. who holds 3 Michelin stars so you can expect ■ Try to get a table at nothing but delicious food. the terrace for the best 4 experience!

Never miss an update on facebook.com/insidrparis 11 PARIS MUSEUMS BEST MUSEUM BOUTIQUES

Inspired by the exhibition you just saw? Bring it home with you after stopping by the gift shop for something simple like a postcard or a book. But with our recom- mended museum boutiques, you’re sure to fnd something more!

Musée Rodin Varenne / Invalides PRACTICAL INFO

There’s a lot to love about Musee Rodin, and one ■ 10am-5:45pm of the top things is its boutique. Here you’ll fnd ■ Closed on Mondays replica sculptures, books, catalogs, stationery, ■ Musée Rodin Paris jewelry, tote bags, and textiles. has an online boutique that offers worldwide 1 shipping!

Fragonard Musée Opéra ■ Open from 9am-6pm du Parfum ■ Closed on Sundays Fragonard, one of the most beloved fragrance ■ Entry with a guided brands in has a stunning museum just tour is FREE around the corner from the Opéra Garnier. Join ■ While in Opéra area, their guided tour and then pick up a bottle or stop by Galeries Lafayette two of their signature fragrances. Don’t forget for some shopping or 2 to use your INSIDR voucher for a 10% discount! some gourmet food! GET YOUR DISCOUNT VOUCHER HERE

Librairie Centre Hotel de Ville / Rambuteau Pompidou ■ 11:00am-9:45pm Centre Pompidou hosts our favorite museum ■ Closed on Tuesdays shops. With the widest range of books for eager ■ You may also enter the collectors, greeting cards and all sorts of sou- Public Library at Centre venirs—fashion and accessories, home decors, Pompidou for free! Take multimedia products. the entrance on rue Beaubourg. Closed on 3 Tuesdays.

107 Rivoli Palais Royal-Musée du Louvre ■ 11am-5:15pm; until Boutique The boutique at Musée des Arts Décoratifs 8:15pm on Thursdays boasts extensive and well-organized shelves of ■ Closed on Mondays design books, gorgeous jewelry, and fun statio- nery. Good luck trying to walk away without a 4 thing or two!

Ask us your questions on m.me/insidrparis 12 INSIDR ADVANTAGES IN PARIS SHOPPING & SIGHTSEEING VOUCHERS

LONGCHAMP BY TERRY VIP Shopping Experience Free Beauty Travel Kit

TAP TO DOWNLOAD TAP TO DOWNLOAD

VEDETTES DE PARIS GALERIES LAFAYETTE Champagne Cruise Upgrade Free Alain Ducasse Chocolates

TAP TO DOWNLOAD TAP TO DOWNLOAD

QUAI BRANLY MUSEUM 25% Ticket Discount Premium Access

TAP TO DOWNLOAD TAP TO DOWNLOAD

FIND MORE DISCOUNTS, FREE GIFTS, & VIP EXPERIENCES ON INSIDR.CO/OFFERS