The Never Ending Feast of Museums and Art Galleries in Paris

One of the many wonderful things about Paris is that its past lives on in the present. Centuries old museums, palaces, cobblestone walkways and bakeries are still vibrant today as it was before.

The museums and art galleries of Paris offer visitors the never-ending feast of beauty, creativity and all things traditional and non-traditional.

Paris is the art capital of the world and an art lover’s paradise. It is filled with famous art pieces like the Mona Lisa and sculptures created way before the existence of the Roman Empire like The Winged Victory of Samothrace. For some visitors who prefer meeting a working contemporary artist, there are the hundreds of galleries in Paris who would gladly show their work to you.

Here are 7 must-see museums and art galleries in Paris:

1.   Louvre Museum - You will know why over 5 million visitors visit The Louvre every year when you arrive at this magnificent building that dominates central Paris since the late 12th century. The entrance to the museum is located at the modern glass Pyramid built by I.M Pei (inaugurated on March 30, 1989), showing the seamless combination of old and modern. The museum is closed on Tuesdays, Jan 1, May 1 and December 25.
2.   Musée d'Orsay – This museum was once a railway station called Orsay, located in central Paris. It was built for the Universal Exhibition of 1900 and the building is a work of art itself. It displays art collections from the 1848 to 1914 period. Musée d'Orsay is closed on Mondays, Jan 1, May 1 and December 25.
3.   The Musée Rodin – Paris – This monographic museum consists of The Hotel Biron, The Chapel and The Garden. Musée Rodin has the largest collection of Auguste Rodin’s sculptures including the famous The Thinker. It is closed on Mondays, Jan 1, May 1 and December 25.
4.   The Centre national d'art et de culture Georges Pompidou – This is a center where original modern and contemporary creations are showcased. Visual arts, music, cinema, literature and the spoken word are housed under one roof. The Centre Pompidou was opened to the public in 1977 and has attracted over 190 million visitors.
5.   Musée des Arts Décoratifs - This is a place to see the French “Art of Living” being displayed. The Museum of Decorative Arts has over 150,000 exhibits showing French craftsmanship and artistry. Imagine wallpaper, dollhouses, Louis Vuitton’s work, books, French furniture and many more. The museum is closed on Mondays, Jan 1, May 1 and December 25.
6.   Musee du Vin – The Wine Museum is located 37.8 meters (about 124 feet) below sea level amongst limestone formed by the accumulation of seashells. The wine museum has a restaurant and conducts wine tasting classes. See centuries old vaulted wine cellars and a unique look into Paris through the art of wine and food. It is closed on Mondays, Jan 1, December 25 and 31.
7.   59 Rivoli – You get to meet the artists in person. The 59 Rivoli is a building for artists to create and exhibit their work. It is open to the public for free 6 days a week. There are 20 permanent artists and the 10 resident artists get to work and showcase their artwork for 3 to 6 months. Opens everyday except Mondays.

You’ll need months to thoroughly visit each of these venues. However to save time and money, here are 3 tips for your trip to Paris:

Airports and flights

There are two major airports in Paris, Charles de Gaulle and Orly. Most flights from the United States fly into Charles de Gaulle. For the best prices and most direct flights into Charles de Gaulle, please click this link for a quick booking search that you can use to shop and compare air ticket prices.

Currency

The French use Euros. Find out how much a dollar is worth in Euros through Travelmath’s currency calculator. At the time of writing, one US dollar will get you 0.80 Euros. It is important to have some cash in Euros before leaving home. It saves you time and the hassle of being lost in translation when exchanging money in Paris.

Hotels

Compare and shop for the best hotel deals in Paris through Travelmath’s recommended sites. For example, Hotel Price Albert Louvre’s location is ideal if you are spending time at The Louvre Museum and need a convenient train station like Gare du Nord subway station.

Have you visited any of these Museums and Art Galleries in Paris? For more information about flight time, flight distance and time difference, please check out Travelmath’s calculator main site.