I've been to Musée d'Orsay twice over the years and have left both times feeling awed by what I saw…read moreand rueful of all I'd so obviously missed. You can't even speed run the place in two or three hours, and you probably need days or a lifetime to appreciate it in full. My more recent visit was earlier this month, with my husband and kids and other sundry family members, who spread out and explored the museum on their own. The d'Orsay opens at 9:30 in the morning and we booked tickets in advance for 10:00 entry. Getting in was quick and easy, and the crowd was pretty reasonable for the first hour or so, which we spent on the fifth floor. By the time we got to the special exhibit on the ground level, around noon, every room was thronged. We didn't make it to the second floor at all. The museum is a global treasure, a beautiful place with a staggering collection of French art, including the world's largest trove of Impressionist and post-Impressionist paintings. The d'Orsay was once the Gare d'Orsay, a Beaux-Arts railway station built between 1898 and 1900. It would be worth visiting for the architecture and use of space and light alone. The art, of course, is genuinely amazing. If you have even a passing familiarity with paintings as a genre, you will walk around the d'Orsay going, "Oh, THAT's here?" I saw multiple paintings I'd encountered in jigsaw puzzles, or on the covers of Debussy piano books. Manet, Cezánne, Gauguin, Degas; a whole room of Van Gogh, including one of his most recognizable self-portraits and his "Bedroom in Arles" (a very enjoyable 2,000-piece puzzle). Monet everywhere--I guess the d'Orsay owns 86 of his paintings. I loved the mini-exhibit of five paintings of the Rouen Cathedral, and even my six-year-old appreciated, if purely for subject matter, "The Saint-Lazare Station." Our kids, it turns out, do not yet appreciate art, and were in ragged form for much of our visit. Our three-year-old demanded to be carried at all times and kept insisting he didn't like "these pictures." (He also objected to his first nude, "The Bathers" by Renoir: "Why aren't they wearing any clothes, even? They can wear pants. They can cover themselves.") We had to take a breather in the underground cafe, with water and snacks, and this gave us enough steam to make it back out to the main floor. We managed to zip through a few of the many rooms lining the main corridor on our way up to the Renoir exhibit at the front of the museum. This part of our visit could not have been more cursory, and yet we stumbled upon Courbet's self-portrait, "The Desperate Man"--a cool painting I'd never seen before--and Millet's "The Angelus," a painting I'd learned about at the d'Orsay many years earlier. The Renoir exhibit (Renoir and Love: A Joyful Modernity, apparently just ended) was spectacular, an expansive collection of iconic paintings displayed for maximum impact. It was also jam packed and slightly unpleasant to navigate with two children on the verge of meltdown. I'd love to go back to Paris and explore the d'Orsay at my leisure. I'm sure it'd also be worthwhile to go with a guide, and perhaps two older, well-behaved children who might get something out of the experience. In the meantime, I'm grateful I've been able to see the place at all. It's a marvelous museum, one of the greatest in the world.

One visit is not enough…read more When you learn to swim. One lesson is never enough. The more you dive into the depths and emerge for a breath of air, the more you enjoy. The more rapturous moments are grasped. Ah, so is the Musee d'Orsay. It is not a museum to plunge to once. One must visit multiple times. Otherwise, it is impossible to swim between exhibits, paddle through the intentions of artists. Be sure, you don't need to swim to enjoy the galleries. Even dog paddling between famous works is enjoyable. However, to truly move through exhibits with ease takes practice. You will thank yourself.

Loved our visit to the Petit Palais. Free entry, gorgeous architecture, and two full floors of…read moresculptures, paintings, and artifacts that are beautifully displayed. The building--designed by Charles Girault for the 1900 Universal Exhibition--is a masterpiece in itself. The collection spans from antiquity to the early 20th century and is surprisingly extensive. If you're nearby, don't miss it.

On the boring side. Very limited exhibitions. Art was not to our liking, not varied, spent less…read morethan half an hour in the museum. Gift shop worthless.

Skip the museum go for the tea room lunch! Lol…read more The museum was fine but do stop by the tea room for a drink or food. The room was gorgeous and the view was great and the food wonderful as well. We had a menu item and a prefix. The quiche and the duck confit were both great and the mango tart was delicious

What a great little museum. Intimate, in a large private mansion, with a wonderful restaurant…read more Tickets are 20 Euros (17 Euros for seniors), there is also a handheld audioguide for an additional 3 Euros. Book in advance on the website - musee-jacquemart-andre.com. You can arrive and buy tickets, but it can get crowded and they do manage the number of tickets sold each day. NOTE - plan on dining at Le Nelie for lunch (or afternoon). We visited while they were sharing "Masterpieces from the Borghese Gallery" and these were truly masterpieces. Even a philistine would recognize the masters who painted these artworks. There were famous works from Caravaggio, Rubens, Botticelli, Raphael, Titian and Bernini, plus a host of lesser-known artists. (Not to mention the permanent art collection, which has great painters at all times.) I will say that the lighting wasn't ideal in all the rooms. This is a mansion - a residence, so not designed as a museum to exhibit the art. Most works were illuminated by single overhead spotlights that created bright highlights on the paintings. I had to view some from different angles to be able to fully view and enjoy some of the art. Luckily since they limit the number of visitors, there is enough time and space to find good viewing angles. Being a relatively small museum, you can see an amazing amount of art within a short time. The building itself is worth admiring as well. (Ask a docent about the hydraulic wall that dropped into the basement to open the main ballroom for large parties of up to 1,000 people.) The double staircase and the mural behind it are particularly beautiful and interesting. The museum has regular changes of the contents, so check to see what is being featured when you are planning your visit. Even if there is no special exhibit, the Museum itself and the permanent exhibits are worth the visit. If you are fluent in French, there are special VIP visits possible. Also - they hold actual Opera performances on some evenings - until mid-June 2025, they are performing Verdi's La Traviata and Rigoletto (usually on Saturday nights, occasionally on other evenings). Our trip didn't align well, otherwise I would have definitely attended - seeing a classical opera in a private mansion designed for large groups would be a rare treat. We dined there at Le Nelie - a fabulous restaurant. No reservations, so queue early for the 1000 opening (we got in line a 0940 and were in the first 10 people to enter the restaurant). We started with Kir Royales (and had seconds with our mains). I had the Carpaccio de boeuf which was beautiful as well as savory. The beef was thinly sliced and accompanied by toast with tapenade, wonderful little button mushrooms, large caper berries, and potatoes gratin dauphinois. My wife had the Salad Nelie, which was a mised salad with two different salmon pieces (smoked and marinated in dill), plus potatoes and vegetables. For dessert, my wife (like most patrons) chose the "Patisserie au choix" - you go with your server to the dessert display and choose what pastry dessert you would like. They then serve the dessert to your table. I went with the "Coupe 2 parfums" a lighter pairing of Guajana dark chocolate and vanilla with Bourbon bean infusion ice creams.

Orangerie Museum, Paris, France -- April 12…read more Our family of four with kids ages 9 and 10 visited after a morning at the Louvre, looking for a more relaxed museum experience. It ended up being one of the most enjoyable stops of the trip. Arrival and First Impressions The museum is smaller and much calmer than the Louvre, which made it an easy transition after a busy morning. The space is bright with beautiful natural light and a peaceful atmosphere. We arrived without reservations, and it took about 45 minutes to enter the museum. The Highlights Monet's water lilies are the centerpiece and absolutely worth the visit. The scale, color, and immersive layout of the rooms make it a unique experience. We also enjoyed seeing works by artists like Matisse and Renoir. The park outside was a great bonus and gave the kids space to run around afterward. The Challenges We waited about 45 minutes to get in without reservations, which could have been avoided with advance tickets. Final Thoughts This museum was my personal favorite and a place we would absolutely visit again. It is a great option for families or anyone looking for a more manageable and peaceful museum experience. It is definitely worth it, especially if you plan ahead

I'm honestly surprised I did not go to this museum when visiting Paris in the past, as it has a…read morebeautiful installation of Claude Monet's Water Lillies. Book tickets directly from the museum website, otherwise you may pay more. Times entries are available. Get there early to avoid the crowds as the galleries are small. The two oval rooms of Monet paintings are the highlight here. Designed by the painter himself, they are meant to be observed in silence, but that is not what we experienced while there. Eat before you visit. The cafe food and drink was unfortunately some of the worst I've experienced in a museum.This museum is in the Tuileries Garden with a large wall around the area. Nice views of the Eiffel Tour and seating overlooking the river is available nearby.

Features contemporary art and permanent collection is free to the public. There are also paid…read moreexhibits but you'll just appreciate what they have downstairs. Their outside space has skateboarders and overlooks the Seine. Nice bookstore too.

"It was okay" is how I would reply, if asked about my visit (09/27/2023) to the Musee d' Art…read moreModerne while in Paris for the 1st time. I have to say, having a lukewarm experience was disappointing & so unexpected. I must have hyped up the Musee d' Art Moderne in my head before visiting because I was so sure that because it was a PARIS museum that it was going to "wow" me from beginning to end because surely, all Paris museums were supposed to have that wow factor. On a positive note, at least I can now share a few helpful tidbits w/ others so hopefully, you'll have a wow experience! :) Helpful tidbits: - - - research exhibits beforehand: During my visit the majority of the exhibits on display didn't "wow" me so I would recommend doing a little research beforehand to see if the exhibits being shown when you go are something that would peak your interest (I didn't do this & wish I would have) - - - budget friendly thing to do! It is free to visit this Paris museum so a great location to use the restroom and/or take a break from all your Paris sightseeing - - - security screening & free coat/bag check Hope, this info helps! Rebecca visiting from Austin, Texas (United States)

Okay, so the museum is amazing. The rainbow stair case of Dior is amazing to behold and the…read morefashions throughout are just incredible and it's better than most Met fashion exhibits I've been to (the McQueen & China exhibits being the notable exceptions.) But I'm here for the food. The chocolate and blackberry mousse tartlet was hands down the best pastry I had in Paris. The offerings are beautiful but pricey. However, totally worth it and wish I'd ordered more.

Located on Montaigne Avenue, the Dior Gallery is a stunning walk through experience through…read moreChristian Dior's journey and designs across the years. Tucked amongst the buildings on the street, it's almost hard to believe how large the gallery is on the inside as there is so much to see from dresses to accessories to magazines and more. Upon entering, the exhibition starts at the top floor, where you make your way through the building and steadily downwards on a journey through time. This is a fun experience for those who love fashion, history, and art, but there is truly much to appreciate for someone coming in with no prior knowledge or expectation. This gallery is extensive and they change out the pieces periodically, so there's a lot of re-visit value. The gallery goes beyond fashion and has moments discussing Christian Dior's personal life, the building itself, and how the Dior name continues to thrive in modern-day couture. At the end of the gallery they have their own Dior Le Café, which carries both drinks and food, and a mini gift shop section. I found it a great spot to relax and rechage. *Lucky Sando en trio: This trio of sandwhiches was delicious and larger than expected for a tea-time-style snack. The egg-mayonnaise was moist and flavorful, tasting as expected. I enjoyed the smoked salmon and cucumber one which provided a refreshing and cooler-tasting sandwich. The chicken with spices was the most unique one of the three. It had tumeric and other spices that made it stand out. It held the most umami. *Caesar salad with Chicken: This dish was crafted together at table-side which was both unexpected and lovely to experience! I appreciated the different toppings to what I thought was going to be a generic salad, and the overall outcome was very vibrant. The chicken itself is a fully seasoned and cooked fillet, making this dish very filling. *Chocolate Chaud: This is my favorite drink in France, and ordering it here was no different. Deeply rich and made with heavy cream and dark chocolate, chocolate chaud tastes like drinking liquid chocolate straight from a pot. Generally, you can purchase tickets online for a specific date and time with full price being 16 EUR, though there are discounted options available. You can also try your hand for a walk-in visit, though the line can get rather long. I was fortunate enough to enter for free and without a wait, which I am extremely grateful to the team for!

I was at the hotel to visit an exhibition for design week. It's architecture was perfect for the…read moreexhibit. It seems like a nice place that's centrally located near all of the high end shops. It's a stunning venue.

What a beautiful gem in Paris!…read more The audio guide was far better than I expected and enhanced the experience by telling the stories of the people who had lived and worked in the gorgeous interiors. The museum was not too busy and was nicely organized to really enjoy the opulence of another age. Be sure to enjoy the Eiffel Tower view from the balcony (and the architecture of the balcony itself, which is lovely.)

April 23, 2026 we visited the Louvre. Tried buying tickets online, but could not get any morning…read moretickets one week in advance. They do not take American Express credit cards. Finally signed up with Tiquets for a tour for two with accompanied guide for $164.73 double the normal entrance fee. Unlike Versailles Palace, the Louvre is right in the center of Paris, and easy to get to by metro subway. The Louvre is 22 euros for EEC country residents, and 32 euros for everyone else. Children under 12 are free. If you buy a discounted ticket or are a child, you must show your passport at the entrance to prove eligibility. Although the Louvre is a huge museum, the portion we were interested in was quite small, 18th and 19th century impressionist and historic paintings. We accompanied our tour guide at 10am, and were finished by 2pm, including having lunch. We saw The Winged Victory statue, and the Mona Lisa by Leonardo Devinci, surrounded by rope barriers and guards, keeping people 15 feet away. Only thing missing was bullet proof glass barriers. Loved the paintings of the French revolution, and paintings of Napoleon and his foes, including British sailing warships, in addition to the impressionist paintings. If you are into impressionist paintings the Museum Orsay might be a better choice. Crowds not too bad on a weekday morning, but forget about coming here on an afternoon, unless it is just before closing time.

Make a reservation ahead of time. (Preferably first thing in…read morethe morning, or the last entrance time for the day). The pyramid is the busiest entrance, there are other gates to enter from but the pyramid is the most famous. You will go thru security and bag check, and then you're down the escalators to the main "lobby" area. If you walk every corridor you would be walking 9miles, I think. The museum is massive and you will spend more time trying to figure out how to get OUT once you're entangled in the maze of galleries. Always have a vague idea of what you want to see, and more importantly, an exit plan! I've seen some people recommend the D'orsay if you only have time to go to one museum. But if you only have one chance to go to Paris, how can you pass up the Louvre? Even if you're not an art afficianado you've heard of the Louvre.

Centre Pompidou was due to close its doors for a years-long renovation when I went. Thought not…read morecompletely shut down (Wolfgang Tillmans was showing his photographs), the lack of exhibits make this arts center a shell of its former self; even the long escalator, a prominent feature, wasn't in operation. Also, there was no access to the rooftop viewing platform. The building is very cool with its "inside out" design as giant pipes decorate the exterior. I remember Centre Pompidou as full of life, I hope when it returns to be able to experience its full art programming once again. Two stars because it's depressing to see the building half done & half alive.

The best museum in Paris for the views and vibes! Even on a winter weekend at sunset, it wasn't…read moreovercrowded--a refreshing change from the city's more packed museums. The main collection is on the 5th floor, with special exhibits on the 6th, and the panoramic views from the balcony are stunning--you can see both the Eiffel Tower and Sacré-Cœur. Entry is affordable at €15 per person, and the museum has several shops, dining options, and restrooms inside. It's also easily accessible by public transportation, with plenty of great spots to eat and drink nearby. A must-visit for art lovers and architecture enthusiasts alike!

It's a must when in Paris. Well done but a bit more sparse compared to Gallerie Dior. Laurent was…read morefrom Algeria and an intern for Christian Dior. The influence is evident in both ethereal gowns juxtaposed with messages of strong female empowerment. The Gallerie is a short walk from the Arc and the Eiffel. Tickets were €10.

Collection itself is beautiful but it's arranged awfully/they need to let fewer people in at once…read more(probably the latter since it's an old house). The whole museum is a series of switchbacks which leads to bottlenecks retracing your steps. At one point the line to go to the next exhibit was blocking the whole text of the previous part of the exhibit. We spent more time waiting to go in a room than actually in the rooms.