Museums and attractions inParis
The Louvre, the Impressionists and a skyline everyone already knows.
No city packs more art into walking distance than Paris. The Louvre alone holds the Mona Lisa, the Venus de Milo and the Winged Victory; cross the river and the Musée d'Orsay hangs Monet, Van Gogh and Degas under the glass roof of a former railway station; a short walk away, the Orangerie wraps you in Monet's Water Lilies.
Then there is the city itself: the Eiffel Tower, the stained glass of the Sainte-Chapelle, Notre-Dame open again after its restoration, and Versailles a short train ride away. This guide lists the museums and attractions worth your time in Paris, with what each one holds, how to visit and where to book.
Museums in Paris
Louvre Museum
Founded 1793, Encyclopedic
The most visited museum in the world: the Mona Lisa, the Venus de Milo and the Winged Victory, in a former royal palace on the Seine.
Tickets from €55.20
Musée d'Orsay
Founded 1986, Old masters to modern
French art from 1848 to 1914, with a great Impressionist collection, in a former railway station on the Seine.
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Musée de l'Orangerie
Founded 1927, Old masters to modern
Monet's Water Lilies, in the two oval rooms made for them at the edge of the Tuileries Garden.
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Centre Pompidou
Founded 1977, Modern and contemporary
Home of the French national collection of modern and contemporary art. The building is closed for renovation from 2025 to 2030.
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Musée Rodin
Founded 1919, Single artist
The Thinker, The Kiss and The Gates of Hell, in the mansion and garden where Auguste Rodin worked.
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Attractions in Paris
Eiffel Tower
Since 1889
The iron tower built for the 1889 World's Fair, with three levels open to visitors and the whole of Paris below.
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Sainte-Chapelle
Since 1248
A royal chapel on the Île de la Cité whose upper walls are almost entirely thirteenth-century stained glass.
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Notre-Dame de Paris
Since 1163
The Gothic cathedral on the Île de la Cité, begun in 1163 and open again after the restoration that followed the fire of 2019.
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Arc de Triomphe
Since 1836
The triumphal arch at the top of the Champs-Élysées, with a terrace that looks down twelve avenues.
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Palace of Versailles
Since 1682
The palace of Louis XIV, with the Hall of Mirrors and the gardens, in Versailles, a short train ride from Paris.
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Visiting Paris: common questions
- Which day are museums closed in Paris?
- It depends on the museum, and it is the one thing worth checking before you plan a day. The Louvre and the Orangerie close on Tuesdays; the Musée d'Orsay and the Musée Rodin close on Mondays. Each museum's own site has the current hours.
- Do I need to book the Louvre in advance?
- Yes, book a timed slot. The Louvre recommends time-slot bookings for every visitor, including those entitled to free admission, and tickets are sold at the museum only when attendance is low.
- Is the Centre Pompidou open?
- The Centre Pompidou building is closed for renovation from 2025 to 2030. During the works its collection is shown at other venues, which the centre lists on its own site.
- How many days do I need for the museums of Paris?
- Three days covers the essentials without rushing: one for the Louvre, one for the Musée d'Orsay and the Orangerie, which sit on either side of the Seine, and one for the Eiffel Tower, the Sainte-Chapelle and Notre-Dame. Add a day for Versailles.