The Louvre has been thrust into the limelight in recent years, not due to renovation but thanks to the casts of such Netflix shows as Emily in Paris. But even without its small screen boost, the museum has long been a traveler’s biggest draw—it has the largest collection of art in the world, spanning 10,000 years of history. You absolutely must visit at least once in your life—but why stop there? Paris is blessed with a plethora of marquee art and cultural institutions that showcase centuries of sculpture, painting, illustration, and photography. Stand rapt before Monet’s Water Lilies at L’Orangerie, take in avant-garde contemporary works in the Pinault Collection at the Bourse de Commerce, or spend the afternoon reflecting on the ties between humans and wildlife at the Musée de la Chasse et de la Nature. Read on to find our editors’ picks for the best museums in Paris.
Read our complete Paris travel guide here, which includes:
Every review on this list has been written by a Condé Nast Traveler journalist who knows the destination and has visited that activity. When choosing things to do, our editors consider landmarks and experiences that offer an insider’s view of a destination, keeping authenticity, location, service, and sustainability credentials top of mind. This gallery has been updated with new information since its original publish date.
