Paris is called the cultural capital of Europe for a reason. It is difficult to find another city with so many interesting and world-famous museums. Anyone who visits the French capital has the opportunity to see with their own eyes not only the works of art of famous masters, but also to learn in detail about other equally interesting aspects of the city’s life and history.
The glass pyramid of the Louvre is one of the most recognizable symbols of France. The museum’s vast grounds house priceless works of art from various eras. The halls are divided according to directions, historical eras and geographical areas. Among the exhibits are paintings, statues, frescoes, jewelry, furniture and much more. It is impossible to see the entire exhibition in one day, but there is one painting that no one will miss – the most famous lady with a mysterious smile, the Mona Lisa.
Address: Cour Napoleon
Website: louvre.fr
Housed in a building of an abandoned and later restored station. The five levels of the Museum of Fine Arts are categorized by type of works in chronological order. Its collection is one of the largest and most valuable in the world. The basis of the collection is based on Impressionist and Post-Impressionist paintings. Art Nouveau also occupies a significant part of the exhibition.
Address: Rue de Lille, 62
Website: museum-orsay.fr
Opened in 1977, the national center for the arts. It is a full-fledged complex that includes a museum, library, exhibition halls and a research institute. The museum exhibits works of art in various fields including painting, drawing and dance, while the institute studies music and acoustics. The plaza in front of the center, on the other hand, hosts performances by traveling artists.
Address: Place Georges Pompidou
Website: centerpompidou.fr
It is part of the City of Science and Industry full of various attractions. Here you can learn about the structure of the universe, admire the stars in the nearby planetarium, visit various exhibitions divided into scientific sections or watch science films in the cinema. Some of the exhibits are interactive.
Address: Avenue Corentin Cariou La Villette, 30
Website: cite-sciences.fr
Opened in 1927, the art gallery is housed in a building that was once a greenhouse and is located on the grounds of a former palace and park complex, of which, unfortunately, little remains. The collection includes works by Gauguin, Cezanne, Picasso, Renoir and others. However, tourists come here primarily to admire the Oval Room, where Monet’s canvases from the “Water Lilies” series are set.
Address: Jardin des Tuileries, Cote Seine
Website: museum-orangerie.fr
Founded in 1919, the museum is located in the Palais de Biron and has the largest collection of Rodin’s works in the world. In addition to sculptures, drawings and photographs, the master’s personal collection of antiques, which he collected for 30 years, is also on display here. The museum complex is complemented by a cinema room, a library and a gift store.
Address: Rue de Varenne, 77
Website: musee-rodin.fr
Founded in 1905, the museum is housed in the Palais des Invalides, a historic building dating back to the 17th century. The exhibition, divided into eras, presents the history of the French military and weapons from ancient times to the present. In addition, the museum has separate displays for artillery, symbols (flags and banners) or soldiers and uniforms. Also noteworthy is the building itself, which rivals the Louvre in grandeur.
Address: Hôtel national des Invalides, 129
Website: musee-armee.fr
main photo: unsplash.com/Mika Baumeister
