This was worth the visit for some quirky and amazing folk art. There is an exhibit in a dark room…read morethat had so many fabulous pieces of art, that I thought we had seen the whole museum. But wait! Up some windy stairs is a sunlit room with about the same amount of art. Some things were creepy, some were a level of obsessive detail that required long minutes of marveling, and some were inspiring. 2 hours is a sufficient visit, and you will want to reserve time to peruse the bookstore and get a snack, lunch, or beverage at the café. The museum is in the garment district, and the art may inspire you to pick up some fabric to make a collage.

A stunning cyclorama with two feature exhibits, a bright and airy bookstore, and a crazy busy cafe…read morefor an accessible 9€. We popped in for the Jeunet/Caro exhibit, because when in Paris, you Amélie. The design of the exhibit space is in a wagon wheel, with fixtures from the duos filmography segmented by "pie piece." An intriguing blend of movie props, original script notes, stills and videography paint a brilliant behind-the-scenes for The City of Lost Children, Delicatessen, MicMacs, Alien: Resurrection and more. A floor up, sunlight floods a year-long showcase residency called Turbulence in the Balkans, featuring Eastern European works but unfortunately, no brass bands. Sad dance party loss. Anyhoodle, the space open, well-designed and easy to get through in an hour or so. If the exhibits catch your fancy, pop in for an afternoon delight.

This was so much fun and so interesting!! While we spent 4 hours waiting in line to visit the…read moreCatacombs, we occupied our time by searching for something different, or perhaps a little odd to do while in Paris. And we found this place! Definitely a little odd, but a whole lot of interesting! It was about a 40 minute metro ride to the outside of Paris and then a short walk to the museum. It was a little freaky to say the least and we may have even though to ourselves 'today is the day we die....or become vampires.' The front of the house is overgrown and in disrepair, which only adds to the experience! You then have to walk around to the back alley to enter through a red door into the back yard and the building where the museum is located. We knocked and stood there for 15 minutes waiting for someone to let us in. Just as we were about to give up and leave, a man dressed in black came through the door and escorted us in. Anyway, we survived I think. And we really enjoyed our several hours of discussing vampires with our host. If you are looking for something different to do. If you like vampires. If you want an adventure then do this! Just make sure you call in advance, as the museum entry is by private reservation only.

Wow this is the best science museum that I've ever been too. By far (especially compared to my…read morelocal place... Liberty Science center in NJ). Most science centers are essentially glorified playgrounds/ learning centers for kids. This place actually was more targeted towards adults and teens. In fact during the weekday that we visited, it was almost exclusively adults. The exhibits are extremely interesting and informative and I learned a lot. I could've spent at least an entire day here (in contrast to the art museums like the Louvre where I was bored out of my mind). The different sections are in good working order. Many exhibits are in both English and French (although there are some that are French only). There was a really cool interactive sports exhibit too when we visited too. We got the explorer ticket that gets you access to the Planetarium as well as the special exhibits in addition to regular admission. I'd say that this is worth it as the Planetarium was awesome. Huge screen, comfortable seats, very interesting documentaries. Free WiFi. Very close to metro station. Will return on my next trip to Paris.

I'm giving this spot 4 stars based on the Childrens' City special section, which requires a…read moreseparate pass. This timed-entry experience is broken down into 2 sections; one side for 2-6 year olds and the other for kids 5-10 years old. Our kids favorite thing to do here was the water play area, and the other spot where they could build forts. There were many games and interactive items. I wouldn't say a lot of this section was overly science. But my kids loved it. There is a nice playground near the museum but it was so hot, we didn't spend much time outside. This place is nice to escape the heat even if the air conditioning isn't overly strong.

The Louvre needs no introduction, and my own knowledge of art is nowhere near sophisticated enough…read moreto pretend I can properly assess what hangs on its walls. What I can say with confidence is that I find the place extraordinary: the palace, monumental galleries, and almost preposterous scale make simply moving through it an experience. You can arrive knowing very little and still spend hours feeling your sense of history quietly expanding. Part of the pleasure is accepting that you are not going to conquer the Louvre in a day. On my last visit, we rented the Nintendo guide, an unexpectedly clever companion for navigating a museum this enormous, and I generally love audio tours because a few minutes of context can transform something merely impressive into something you actually understand. One space I especially love is the Cour Puget in the Richelieu Wing, a soaring glass covered courtyard where monumental French sculpture sits beneath cascades of natural light. It is the kind of room that interrupts your itinerary completely, which is probably exactly what a great museum should do. Somewhere amid several thousand years of civilization, I strongly recommend stopping for a coffee, a Perrier, and/or a bite to eat. There is something deliciously Parisian about sitting inside the Louvre, taking in the surroundings, and allowing yourself to feel exceptionally chic and cultured for a few glorious minutes. Give the museum at least a few hours, wear comfortable shoes, and let a guide provide some structure while still leaving room to wander wherever your curiosity takes you. You will leave stimulated, caffeinated, and already aware that another visit could be an entirely different adventure. Très bien!

The Louvre Museum is one of the most amazing museums in the entire world, located right in the…read moreheart of Paris. The approach to the entrance felt significant, with the glass pyramid acting as a central anchor point surrounded by courtyards, wings, and long stretches of stone façades that hinted at the scale of what was inside. The building combines historic palace architecture with vast modern exhibition spaces. Inside, the experience unfolded through sheer size more than anything else. Galleries branched in multiple directions, each holding different periods and regions, from ancient civilizations to classical European art. I moved through long corridors and open halls, sections that shifted in both atmosphere and lighting depending on the collection. One moment I was in a dimly lit room of Greek antiquities, the next I was under bright skylights surrounded by French paintings. Even without focusing on individual works, the density of what is housed here was immediately noticeable. The layout encouraged wandering rather than a strict path, and I found it easy to lose track of time moving between rooms, staircases, and open gathering areas. Some sections felt busier and more compressed, especially around the most famous works. Other areas opened up into quieter pockets where the scale of the building became more apparent. I appreciated those quiet moments the most.

How much you enjoy the Picasso Museum is no doubt related to your overall feelings about Picasso's…read moreart. Detest Picasso's art and you'll likely have no reason to come here. But if you love his art, are unfamiliar with it, or waver in your opinion this, the definitive Picasso experience I'd say, is a great experience. The museum is in Le Marais and has a quiet presence, especially compared to many other Paris museums. Their rooftop cafe is a good way to end your visit here but even better is an underused (empty on my visit) outdoor space full of grass, flowers, and chairs from which to enjoy it. Unless you know of this space you'll likely overlook it but if you do know of it? What a great place to sit quietly and enjoy the peace. The museum itself takes you through Picasso's extensive oeuvre but also features rather extensive exhibits by at least one other artist (Henry Taylor on this visit) and may also feature works by artists with whom Picasso traded or purchased artwork from (e.g. Matisse). Quiet, thorough, with a charming cafe and a peaceful garden, I'd not return to the Picasso Museum anytime soon as I'm uncertain how frequently their exhibit changes, but if you've never been and think you might enjoy it, I'd say that you're probably right.

Ok place to kill a little time between cafes and shipping in Les Marais…read more Some nice pieces were on exhibit. The building itself is nice to look at, though only the grand staircase remains unchanged.

This museum has all of the modern mischief makers and envelope pushers that you learn about in art…read morehistory classes--Miro, Duchamp, Kadinsky, Klein, Klee, etc--plus their lesser known peers and contemporary artists. It's exciting to be around so much creativity and spark. The building itself is a draw, and you can enjoy the nearby fountain filled with moving statues and take the famous elevator all the way to the top for free--the view is the best, and I prefer it more than the view from the Eiffel Tower! There is also a notable bookstore filled with art folios and a wall of postcards, accessible without tickets. If you enter the paid floors, expect to be wowed for at least 2-3 hours.

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.

This will blow you out of the water! Every other art show on tour housing comparison to wonder…read morecollection that is at the Atelier des Lumieres. There was a double feature when I went of Picasso and Rousseau. I was in awe the entire time. The Picasso show was about 40 mins and the Rousseau was 20 minutes. I felt immersed in the art of the Rousseau collection, but I saw the story in the life of Picasso during his collection. This is a must when in Paris

I can't remember how I found out about this "exhibit"…read more When I originally saw the ad it was about Klimt being the main show. That would have been so cool. It ended the week before my arrival. But it was still a great show. Purchase your ticket online and pick a date and time. Originally thought the exhibit was in an old warehouse, but it's the main floor of a residential building. Two stories of open space. The images are projected on the floor and all the walls choreographed to music. The first was Van Gogh's Starry Night with other of his works mixed. Japanese Images of a Floating World was next installation. The works have movement and floats through the vast space. There are no seats. Be careful walking around, as people just sit in the middle of the floor to watch. You can hang out and watch it a second time. Highly recommend seeing this.

The oldest Paris history museum having opened in 1880…read more The former mansion is located in the Marais, an easy walk from the hotel I was staying in. I wanted to check it out for both the preserved architecture and the immense number of city artifacts spanning 450 years. The permanent collection is free to the public. Short term exhibits are ticketed. At your own leisure you can stroll room after room. Some are furnished with their original decorations, , others have been recreated with furnishings of a certain period. Rooms from historic residences in Paris from the 16th, 17th, 18th, 19th and 20th centuries are in the museum. It made a nice introduction to the history of the city as I wandered Paris for the next 5 days. It was a bit confusing in some areas to follow the arrows through rooms that had so many nooks to explore. Allow easily 2-3 hours to start your exploration.

While Paris has no shortage of world-class museums, one of my favorites is Musée Carnavalet…read more Located in Le Marais, the museum provides a fun break from shopping - plus, it's free admission. Each floor is packed with historical artifacts (furniture, paintings, store signage, etc.) from Paris's history, beginning in pre-historic times and going through the 20th century. Walking through each of the exhibits from the ground floor to the top floor provides a chronological view of Paris's evolution through the centuries. The museum itself is housed in an impressive former mansion with a peaceful courtyard where you can rest and enjoy a cafe drink when the weather is nice. I'd highly recommend checking out Musée Carnavalet for a visual history lesson of Paris.

Once we walked away from the Basilique du Sacre-Coeur into the residential area of Montmartre, it…read moregot a lot quieter and easier to stroll. Jamie W and I didn't even know there was a museum here, but we decided to give it a look. Housed in an atmospheric 17th-century manor house and an adjacent hotel, it chronicles a helpful bit of Montmartre history since the Belle-Epoque period. Artists like Picasso, Renoir, and Toulouse-Latrec were starting to emerge. You might expect more definitive works from masters of this caliber, but no, this is a small museum not at the level of Musee d'Orsay and Musee de l'Orangerie. It was fairly crowded because the rooms were somewhat claustrophobic. On display was a special exhibition of the paintings of Divisionist artist Maximilien Luce. His work was unfamiliar to us though he seemed inspired by his more famous contemporaries like Seraut and Monet. There was a popular cafe in an interior garden, but the limited seating became a pushy table grabfest (Photo 3). Admission is 15€, and it's not included in the Paris Museum Pass since it's a private institution. I'd still recommend a visit if you want a crash course on Montmartre. RELATED - Exploring Paris? Here's a collection of places I've visited and reviewed: https://yelp.to/TDhdgjoONI

Update 2025 This was like a new visit but still remembering…read morewhat was the same. It's a mansion, art gallery , cafe and pleasant garden. There is a tree swing in the yard Renoir did a painting of. Simple, both the swing and Painting live on. As well as the tree itself. Come Again.

While walking around Montmartre, we came across Espace Dali, a small museum and gallery of Salvador…read moreDali's work. Being a fan of Dali, of course I had to check it out. The museum was quite small, and we only spent a little over half an hour in there. While I enjoyed looking at Dali's sculptures and paintings, it wasn't worth the €16 admission, which I found a little steep. (It had previously been €13 -- the brochure we picked up had the former price crossed off and the new price written down in pen.) All in all, a nice little museum and gallery, but not worth the price. If you are in the area, go ahead and check it out, but don't go out of your way to see it. [Yelp collections: Europe 2024; Paris, France; Museums and Art Galleries]

Expensive. That's the first thing that comes to mind about this museum…read more It's a small gallery/ museum in Paris dedicated as the title would say to Dali. I spent a lot of time in small museums, the most recent visit to Paris, and this was certainly one you should consider if you are looking for the small Museum experience.