Looking for the best small museums in Paris?

We have been to Paris three times. And it was only on this third, most recent trip that we felt up to tackling the Louvre. And to be completely honest, we are not sure we would battle it again.

When we think of the museums that we love in Paris, it is always those smaller museums. But with the Louve getting all the attention you might not know what other smaller, more unique museums in Paris exist. Here is where we come in.

Below is a list of our top 12 best small museums in Paris.

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Best Small Museums in Paris

1. Musée de l’Orangerie

• Location: Jardin Tuileries
• Hours: 9 a.m-6 p.m. (closed on Tuesdays)

Our absolute favorite small museum in Paris is l’Orangerie and a must-have on any list of Paris museums, small or otherwise.

Located in the west end of the Tuileries Garden, the Orangerie is home to eight of Impressionist painter Claude Monet’s largest panels, which span 2 meters high and are 91 meters in length. 

The canvases are arranged in two oval rooms, perfectly designed for them. The two rooms taken together form an infinity symbol.

The enormous canvases, the beautiful skylights that allow for them to be seen in natural light, and the oval shape of the rooms with nothing but Monet’s most famous works, make for a nearly religious experience.

Recognizing the significance of the space, the museum asks that people take in the art in silence. The serene art and quiet create a space that I could experience for hours.

Downstairs from two oval rooms that hold Monet’s paintings is a series of rooms that hold other Impressionist and Post-Impressionist works, including paintings by Cezanne, Matisse, Picasso, and Renoir.

If you are looking for the perfect date night in Paris, consider paring l’Orangerie with a champagne riverboat cruise down the Seine.

2. Sainte-Chapelle

• Location: 10 Bd du Palais
• Hours: Summer Hours: (April 1-Sept. 30th): 9 a.m-7 p.m.Winter Hours: 9 a.m.-5 p.m.

Started in 1238 and finished 10 years later, Sainte-Chapelle has one of the largest 13th-century stained glass collections in the world. The chapel has 15 windows, each 15 meters high that depict 1,113 scenes from the Old and New Testament. 

The church was secularized after the French Revolution and named a historical monument and museum. It has been named a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Before its secularization,  it was commissioned by King Louis IX to house his religious relics, including what is believed to be Christ’s crown of thorns.

Regardless of your religious beliefs, the stained glass is truly exquisite.

3. Dali Museum in Montemarte

• Location: 11 Rue Poulbot
• Hours: Open daily from 10 am-6 pm. 

The Dali Paris Museum, in the heart of Montmartre, contains the private holdings of over 300 Dali works. A

Born in Spain, Dali moved to Paris in 1926 where he was introduced to Picasso and developed his surrealist style. 

In Paris, Dali also met his wife, Gala. At the time of their meeting, Gala was married to another surrealist painter, Paul Eluard. Gala and Dali were quickly inseparable. They married in 1934.

Gala became Dali’s muse. And a visit to the Dali Paris Museum shows Gala’s influence on Dali’s work, as she is a motif in Dali’s work.

The museum, impeccably curated by Mr. Beniamino Levi, holds the largest collection of Dali in France. The museum also houses a gallery, where you can buy works by Dali. 

4. Musée Rodin

• Location: 77 Rue de Varenne
• Hours: Open Tuesday-Sunday 10 am-6:30 pm. 

The gardens alone at the Musée Rodin are worth a stop.

Rodin’s “Thinker” is one of the most recognized sculptures in Western art. So it is pretty remarkable just to happen across it as if it is just any sculpture in the gardens of the Rodin Museum. In the same garden, you can see Rodin’s “Gates of Hell,” which are as beautiful as they are haunting.

While Rodin is quite amazing, we must admit that we are partial to the work of his mistress, Camille Claudel, whose work is also at the Musée Rodin.

While you may be impressed by Rodin’s famous sculpture, “The Kiss,” consider the tension within Claudel’s “The Waltz” when you visit this important museum in Paris

5. Musée Du Quai Branly-Jacques Chirac

• Location: 37 Quai Jacques Chirac
• Hours: Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday from 10:30 am to 7:00 pm; Thursday from 10:30 a.m. until 10 p.m. (closed Mondays)

Let’s be honest. we had no intention of visiting the Quai Branly. But we had just finished the guided climb of the Tour de Eiffel and the museum, which was on our Museum Pass, was in the neighborhood….

Listen, this museum is so striking. The Musée Du Quai Branly is not small, but it is a lesser-known museum in Paris and worthy of this list.

Home to over 370,000 works from Africa, the Near East, Oceania, and the Americas, the Quai Branly offers you a glimpse of a pre-colonial world. And that world is so rich.

We were there in February so the green hadn’t yet grown. However, the Quai Branly has a   650-foot-long and 40-foot-high green wall designed by French Botanist, Dr. Patrick Blanc.

One of the largest and most photographed of Dr. Blanc’s vertical gardens, the Quai Branly’s amazing collection of indigenous art and its stunning building make it a “must see” smaller museum in Paris.

6. The Musée Gustave Moreau

• Location: 14 Rue Catherine de La Rochefoucauld
• Hours: 10 a.m.-6 p.m.

The Musée National Gustave Moreau is a small but impressive museum, located in the 9th arrondissement of the city. It was established by the artist himself, who spent his life living and working there with his family. 

The museum houses an extensive collection of his works, including sculptures, paintings, drawings, and watercolors – all of which are displayed in chronological order to allow visitors to trace the evolution of his art over time. 

The collection at Musée Gustave Moreau is truly remarkable in its scale. In this small museum, you can see 1,200 of Moreau’s works. 

Visiting the museum also shows you the life of the painter. You can see where his family lived, the studio where he painted, and the garden that he enjoyed. 

7. Maison de Victor Hugo

• Location: 6 Pl. des Vosges
• Hours: 10 a.m.-6 p.m. (closed Mondays)

Maison de Victor Hugo is a must-see for anyone visiting Paris. The beautiful museum is located in the heart of the city, just steps away from the iconic Notre Dame cathedral.

It was once home to the celebrated French writer and poet, Victor Hugo, and now serves as a tribute to his life and works. 

At Maison de Victor Hugo you can see where Paris’ most famous writer and thinker lived for 16 years between 1832 and 1848. A portion of his famous work,  Les Misérables was written here.

The museum allows you to explore a variety of exhibits that feature artifacts related to Hugo’s life including original manuscripts, portraits, furniture, and personal items.

You can also take part in guided tours which will provide you with an interactive experience that brings his stories to life. 

The museum also has an impressive library filled with thousands of books written by both Hugo himself and other great authors such as Balzac and Zola. There are even some rare first editions available for those looking for something special! 

If you want to learn more about this incredible man then Maison de Victor Hugo is definitely worth checking out during your time in Paris. It’s an opportunity to gain insight into one of France’s most important writers and thinkers.

The permanent collection is free to visit, making this museum one of the best free museums in Paris. You will need to pay to visit the temporary collections. 

8. Musée Bourdelle

• Location: 18 Rue Antoine Bourdelle
• Hours: 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Closed Mondays

The Musée Bourdelle is dedicated to the sculptor Antoine Bourdelle (1861-1929), who was a major figure in the art world during the early 20th century.

The museum houses a vast collection of his sculptures, drawings, and other works of art, providing visitors with an in-depth look into his creative process and artistic vision.

The museum is located in the former studio of Antoine Bourdelle, which has been preserved and transformed into a museum space. This gives visitors a unique opportunity to explore the artist’s personal workspace and gain insight into his creative process.

In addition to its cultural significance, the museum is just a lovely place to visit.

The museum is located in the heart of the 15th arrondissement of Paris, in a beautiful garden setting that provides a peaceful oasis away from the hustle and bustle of the city. 

The outdoor sculptures are also a highlight, as they are placed throughout the garden, allowing visitors to enjoy them in a natural setting.

9. Le Musée de Cluny

• Location: 28 Rue du Sommerard
• Hours: 9:30 a.m.-6: 16 p.m. (closed Mondays)

The Musée de Cluny is dedicated to the art and culture of the Middle Ages, making it one of the unique museums in Paris. The museum is housed in a 15th-century Gothic mansion, which adds to the historical atmosphere and charm of the museum.

Most people come to the museum to see the famous Lady and the Unicorn tapestries.

These tapestries are considered to be some of the finest examples of medieval art, and they are displayed in a specially-designed room that allows visitors to fully appreciate their beauty.

In addition to the tapestries, the museum’s collection includes over 23,000 artifacts from the Middle Ages, including sculptures, jewelry, ceramics, and manuscripts.

These artifacts provide a glimpse into the daily life and culture of people from the medieval period, and they are arranged in a way that makes it easy to understand their historical context.

The Musée de Cluny is located in the heart of the Latin Quarter. It’s location is close to both the Parthenon and Notre Dame Cathedral.

10. Musée de Marmottan-Monet 

• Location: 2 Rue Louis Boilly
• Hours: 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Thursdays open until 9 p.m. (closed Mondays)

If you love the work of the impressionist as we do, then the Musée de Marmottan-Monet should be on your list as an excellent artist museum in Paris. 

The museum, found in the beautiful 16th arrondissement, is home to an impressive collection of Impressionist art. 

The museum’s collection includes over 100 works by Claude Monet, including some of his most famous paintings, such as Impression, Sunrise, which gave the Impressionist movement its name. 

The museum also has works by other Impressionist and Post-Impressionist artists, including Berthe Morisot, Edgar Degas, and Pierre-Auguste Renoir.

We absolutely love the Musee de Orsay. It is one of our favorite museums in Paris. If you prefer a smaller museum, but still want to see the works of many of the Impressionist masters, then this is definitely the museum for you. 

11. Petit Palais

• Location: Av. Winston Churchill
• Hours: 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Temporary Exhibitions are open until 7 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays, (closed on Mondays)

The Petit Palais is perhaps #1 on the list of the best free museums in Paris. Visitors come to Petit Palais for its architecture, art, and gardens.

Built for the Universal Exposition of 1900, the building itself is a work of art. The building’s architecture is an impressive mix of Renaissance and Art Nouveau styles, with ornate decorations and intricate details. 

The museum’s collection includes over 1,300 works of art, ranging from ancient Greek and Roman sculptures to contemporary art.

The collection includes paintings, sculptures, decorative arts, and more, providing visitors with a wide range of artistic styles and periods to explore.

In addition to the art,  the museum’s garden is a peaceful oasis in the heart of Paris. The museum has fountains, sculptures, and greenery. It’s a great place to relax and take a break from the hustle and bustle of the city, and it’s also a beautiful spot for photos.

Unlike many museums in Paris, the Petit Palais is free to enter, which makes it a great option for budget-conscious travelers, like us, who want to experience some of the best art in the city without spending a lot of money.

12. Musée des Arts Forains

• Location: 53 av des Terroirs de France
• Hours: 11 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Reservations are required to visit the museum

The Musée des Arts Forains or Museum of Fairground Art is a fascinating and unique museum in Paris that showcases an extensive collection of antique carnival rides and games from the late 19th century and early 20th century. 

The museum is one of the few in the world dedicated to showcasing vintage carnival rides, games, and other entertainment artifacts. The collection includes beautifully restored carousels, Ferris wheels, swings, and other attractions.

The museum is not just a display of static exhibits but offers visitors an immersive experience that allows them to interact with many of the rides and games on display.

Visitors can ride on the carousels, play carnival games, and even try their hand at old-fashioned arcade games.

The museum’s immersive experiences make it a great family-friendly attraction or perfect for when you want to rediscover the kid inside you.

Visiting Paris Museums: Paris City Passes

If you know you are going to want to see many of Paris’ sights, you may want to opt for a pass.

There are two major passes that we considered: the Paris Museum Pass and the Paris Pass.

The Museum Pass

The Paris Museum Pass can be bought in 2-day, 4-day or 6-day increments.

With the pass, you have access to over 50 museums in Paris, including the top 3 most visited museums in Paris: Louvre, Musée d’Orsay and Centre Pompidou. 

Several of the museums that we are recommending are a part of the pass, including

• The Musée de l’Orangerie
• Sainte-Chapelle
• Musée Rodin
• Musée Du Quai Branly-Jacques Chirac
• Le Musée de Cluny

So you can determine if it is more cost-efficient for you to buy the pass or pay for museum entry fees individually. 

Also, please note that the majority of museums in Paris–including the big 3–are completely free on the first Sunday of every month. So if you happen to find yourself in the City of Light on the first Sunday of the month, absolutely take advantage. 

The Paris Pass

Because we knew we wanted to visit many museums and ALSO wanted to do the traditional things: Eiffel Tour Climb, Bateaux Parisiens River Cruise, and a wine tasting, we opted for The Paris Pass.

The Paris Pass is the Paris Museum Pass + The Paris Pass. The Paris Museum Pass, as described above is an included part of The Paris Pass.

So when you choose the Paris Pass, you are choosing the museum pass, plus over  25 additional experiences and tours to do in Paris. 

We have written why the Paris Pass was so worth it for us in more detail. But for the short answer: the Paris Pass is perfect when you are in the city for multiple days and wanted to do all the things the pass included.

Like the Museum Pass, the Paris Pass comes in day increments and the longer you are there the more economical it is.

This is not our first time making the most out of a city pass. Read about how we made the best of the Copenhagen Card.

FAQs

On a budget, but still want to see these museums and all Paris has to offer?

Our guide to Paris for families on a budget will give you tips and tricks to make bucket list Paris, “yep, been there, Paris.”