If you like smaller museums, this is a very neat place to check out at least once when visiting…read moreParis. The main floor and second story have beautiful old interiors. The lower level has a more modern look and features a large collection of Monet works, mostly later ones. It is a beautiful place. They also have a temporary exhibition area with rotating exhibits, although I happened to come between exhibits based on when my trip was. They were setting one up while I was in town. The museum isn't huge, so I suggest timed tickets to make entry easy. The residential and tree-filled neighborhood where this museum is located is also quite pretty. It may be nice to walk around and look at the architecture before or after.

This was a great afternoon and a special treat was the theme exposition on Sleep and hypnosis and…read moreart about it over Centuries. Put Centuries in a few rooms and you get a real overview on how we look at sleep and how we need it. The Monet Exhibit and mantle clocks are not to be missed. We always need a Monet gift from the store, make it 4.

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.

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)

The major thing we wanted to do in Paris was visit the catacombs, an underground ossuary containing…read morethe bones of more than six million people. The catacombs are part of Paris' abandoned mine and quarry network, and bones were moved to the catacombs because the cemeteries were running out of space. The first bones were transferred from the Cimetière des Saints-Innocents after the cemetery was closed in 1780 due to overuse. The catacombs are an extremely popular attraction, and purchasing tickets in advance is highly recommended as a limited number of people are admitted each hour, and with good reason -- the experience would be extremely unpleasant if overly crowded. However, you can only purchase tickets one week in advance, and the catacombs are not open on Mondays. The two full days we were in Paris were Sunday and Monday, so I had to ensure that we were able to get tickets for Sunday April 7. Fortunately I was successful! Tickets were €29 each, although per the website, they are now €31. Unfortunately, the catacombs are not accessible for people in wheelchairs or who have mobility issues -- the 1.5km long route has 243 stairs -- 131 to descend and 112 to ascend. We thoroughly enjoyed our visit, and if you want to see bones and skulls (no full skeletons, though), the Paris catacombs won't disappoint! [Yelp collections: Europe 2024; Paris, France; Beware of stairs!]

Yes. Come do the touristy things like shopping, eating, and sightseeing. But also consider this…read moreplace with a spin to the sightseeing portion with a historical twist. The admissions price you pay is worth it. You just don't see this type of local flair anywhere else. Soak in the history about Paris and also its darker side. Your perspective about things will change, for most people anyway. The takeaway the hubs took from this experience is that nothing really matters at the end. It's a real eye opening experience TBH. As you wander the dark corridors, you will see piles of real human bones piled in neat stacks. It was saddening to realize that these were once human beings. Now they are part of a collection of unknown souls. It was just a down to earth experience. The audio tour will allow you to wander at your pleasure so there's no real rush or live tour. Book early because spots are limited!

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 way ahead of time if you can. I don't like not knowing if I'll get in or if it's…read moreat full capacity so I made mine way in advance. Audio devices for self guided tours are extra. It's best to come first thing in the morning, or the last entrance time for the day to avoid crowds. 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.

I must've come at the wrong time or something. The upstairs area was closed off. The starting point…read morewas a bunch of fans blowing air. Then I saw a number of excessively sexual exhibits. And then an exhibit about the exhibit... I see many other more impressive artworks in other reviews online, so this time around must not be it. Modern art is weird and not for me

We wanted to see the modern art wing of this museum. The free section of the museum isn't very…read moreextensive, but it does have some very large, significant pieces. It only takes about 30 minutes to see the free section of the museum, but at least it got us off the crowded streets of Paris for a little while. The courtyard outside is very beautiful, and it is very near a picturesque pedestrian bridge over the Seine. It was a nice little diversion, but I don't think I'd make the effort to go again.

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!

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.

This great museum is a bit off the beaten path in Paris but well worth the effort it takes to get…read morethere. Most of the collection is from the studio of Paul Belmondo, father of Jean-Paul. It includes several of his bronze figures and some of his friends and contemporary artists. It also explains the process of casting bronze.