THE ORSAY MUSEUM
The Orsay Museum is one of the great museums of Paris, located on the Left Bank of the Seine in the 7th arrondissement, facing the Tuileries Garden. Housed in the former Orsay railway station, built for the 1900 Universal Exhibition, it is remarkable both for its architecture and for its collections. Its vast nave, glass roof, monumental clock and bright interior spaces provide a unique setting for the works on display. Opened as a museum in 1986, it mainly presents art from 1848 to 1914, with a major focus on Impressionism and Post-Impressionism. Visitors can discover works by Monet, Renoir, Degas, Cézanne, Van Gogh, Gauguin and Manet. The museum also exhibits sculptures, photographs, furniture, drawings and decorative arts. Combining architectural heritage and the history of modern art, the Orsay Museum is an essential place to understand the major artistic transformations of the 19th century.
CITY OF SCIENCE AND INDUSTRY
The City of Science and Industry is one of Paris’s major cultural and scientific venues. Located in the Parc de la Villette, in the 19th arrondissement, it invites visitors to discover science, technology, innovation and major contemporary issues through an accessible, interactive and playful approach. Its permanent and temporary exhibitions cover a wide range of themes, including space, living organisms, energy, transport, digital technology, the environment, the human body and major inventions. More than a traditional museum, the Cité focuses on experimentation: visitors can observe, test and understand through numerous interactive displays. The site also includes emblematic spaces such as the Children’s City, the Planetarium and the Géode, located nearby. With its workshops, conferences and events, the City of Science and Industry offers an original visit in a modern Paris turned towards knowledge and innovation.
THE FONDATION LOUIS VUITTON
The Fondation Louis Vuitton is a major contemporary cultural venue located in the Bois de Boulogne, in western Paris, near the Jardin d’Acclimatation. Opened in 2014, it is immediately recognisable thanks to its spectacular architecture designed by Frank Gehry, with glass sails that play with light, transparency and movement. Created to promote modern and contemporary art, it hosts temporary exhibitions devoted to major artists, important artistic movements and dialogues between different periods. It also presents a permanent collection, regularly renewed. The visit is as impressive for the artworks as for the building itself, with its volumes, walkways, terraces and views over the Bois de Boulogne, La Défense and western Paris. Combining art, bold architecture and a green setting, the Fondation Louis Vuitton reveals a modern, creative and international side of Paris.
VINCENNES CASTLE
The Vincennes Castle is one of the most important medieval castles preserved near Paris. Located in Vincennes, east of the capital, it played a major role in the political and military history of France. A former royal residence visited by several sovereigns, it later became a fortress, a state prison and then a heritage site. The monument is best known for its impressive 14th-century keep, one of the tallest in Europe, surrounded by powerful walls, towers, moats and a fortified enclosure. The site also includes the Sainte-Chapelle of Vincennes, an elegant Gothic chapel begun under Charles V and inspired by the one in Paris. Over the centuries, the castle has housed kings, famous prisoners, military archives and administrative functions. Both a royal residence, fortress and place of memory, it reveals another side of Parisian history.
MONNAIE DE PARIS
The Monnaie de Paris is one of France’s oldest institutions and an original cultural venue located in the 6th arrondissement, on the banks of the Seine, opposite the Louvre. Set in a historic 18th-century building, it remains closely linked to its original activity: the production of coins, medals and metal art objects. The visit reveals an artistic, technical and industrial heritage through the skills of engraving, casting, coin striking and working with precious metals. The site also houses the 11 Conti Museum, dedicated to the history of the institution, coins and manufacturing techniques. Temporary exhibitions, often related to contemporary art or fine crafts, complete the visitor experience. Both a historic monument, museum and active workshop, the Monnaie de Paris connects art, economy and French craftsmanship.
BOURSE DE COMMERCE
The Bourse de Commerce is a major cultural venue in Paris, located in the 1st arrondissement, near Les Halles, the Church of Saint-Eustache and the Louvre. Set in a historic circular building, it reflects the commercial and architectural history of the capital. Originally linked to the grain trade, it became a place of economic exchange in the 19th century. Its rotunda, dome and painted decorations recall this commercial importance while offering a spectacular architectural setting. Today, the Bourse de Commerce houses the Pinault Collection, dedicated to contemporary art. Restored with the involvement of architect Tadao Ando, the building combines historic heritage with contemporary creation. The contrast between the historic structure, the large central rotunda and the contemporary artworks creates an original visitor experience. Both a monument, museum and exhibition space, the Bourse de Commerce reveals a Paris shaped by commercial memory and living art.
PÈRE LACHAISE CEMETERY
Père-Lachaise Cemetery is the largest and most famous cemetery in Paris, located in the city’s 20th arrondissement. Opened in 1804 during the reign of Napoleon I, it was named after Father François de La Chaise, confessor to King Louis XIV. This iconic site is both a place of remembrance, a historic landmark, and an open-air museum. Père-Lachaise is renowned for its tree-lined paths, impressive funerary monuments, and numerous sculptures. Its architecture combines several styles, including Gothic, Neoclassical, and Romantic, creating a peaceful and unique atmosphere. The cemetery is also world-famous for housing the graves of many celebrated figures such as Oscar Wilde, Frédéric Chopin, Jim Morrison, Édith Piaf, and Molière. Every year, it attracts many visitors interested in history, art, and culture.
NATIONAL MARITIME MUSEUM
The National Maritime Museum is one of the oldest and most important maritime museums in the world. Located at the Palais de Chaillot, facing the Eiffel Tower, it retraces several centuries of French naval history. The museum originated in the 18th century thanks to collections offered to King Louis XV by engineer and explorer Henri-Louis Duhamel du Monceau. Today, it preserves thousands of maritime-related objects, including ship models, navigation instruments, nautical charts, paintings, and sculptures. The museum is especially famous for its impressive boat models, ranging from royal galleys to modern ships. Visitors can also discover the history of great explorations, naval battles, and sailors’ lives throughout the centuries. Thanks to its exceptional collections, the museum is an essential place for understanding French maritime heritage.
RODIN MUSEUM
The Rodin Museum is one of the most prestigious art museums in Paris, located in the city’s 7th arrondissement. Housed in the Hôtel Biron, an elegant 18th-century mansion surrounded by beautiful gardens, it is dedicated to the work of the famous sculptor Auguste Rodin. The museum features a rich collection of sculptures, drawings, photographs, and art objects related to the artist. Among its most famous works are The Thinker, The Kiss, The Burghers of Calais, and The Gates of Hell, all considered masterpieces of modern sculpture. The gardens are an important part of the visit and display several monumental sculptures among trees, fountains, and rose gardens. The museum also exhibits works by Camille Claudel, Rodin’s student and collaborator, as well as a collection of paintings including works by Vincent van Gogh and Claude Monet. Thanks to its collections and elegant setting, the Rodin Museum is a must-see destination for art lovers.
QUAI BRANLY – JACQUES CHIRAC MUSEUM
The Quai Branly – Jacques Chirac Museum is a museum located near the Eiffel Tower in Paris’s 7th arrondissement. Opened in 2006 at the initiative of President Jacques Chirac, it is dedicated to the arts and civilizations of Africa, Asia, Oceania, and the Americas. The museum highlights the cultural and artistic diversity of non-European civilizations. Its contemporary architecture, designed by Jean Nouvel, is distinguished by a large garden and an impressive living plant wall. The museum houses more than 300,000 works and objects from around the world, including sculptures, masks, textiles, musical instruments, and ritual objects. These collections reflect the traditions and lifestyles of many cultures. The museum also organizes temporary exhibitions, performances, conferences, and various cultural activities. Thanks to its rich and diverse collections, it is a major destination for discovering world cultures.
CARNAVALET MUSEUM – HISTORY OF PARIS
Located in the historic Marais district, Carnavalet Museum – History of Paris is dedicated to the history of the French capital. Housed in two magnificent Renaissance mansions, the museum retraces the evolution of Paris from prehistoric times to the modern era through a rich collection of artworks and historical objects. Founded in 1880, the museum takes its name from the Hôtel Carnavalet, the former residence of Madame de Sévigné, a famous 17th-century writer. The museum contains paintings, sculptures, furniture, old shop signs, photographs, and everyday objects that reflect Parisian life throughout the centuries. The Carnavalet Museum is especially renowned for its collections related to the French Revolution, as well as its reconstructions of historical interiors and period décor. Visitors can discover the political, social, and cultural history of Paris through a variety of immersive exhibitions.
NATURAL HISTORY MUSEUM
National Natural History Museum is one of France’s most important scientific and cultural institutions, located in Paris’s 5th arrondissement. Founded in 1793 during the French Revolution, it is dedicated to the study of nature, biodiversity, evolution, and Earth sciences. The museum is especially famous for the Grand Gallery of Evolution, which presents hundreds of taxidermied animals in an immersive display highlighting the diversity of the living world and environmental issues. The institution also includes several prestigious spaces, such as the Gallery of Paleontology and Comparative Anatomy, the Gallery of Mineralogy, and the famous Jardin des Plantes. The museum also plays a major role in scientific research thanks to its vast collections containing millions of specimens, fossils, plants, minerals, and animals. Today, it is a must-see destination for discovering natural sciences and biodiversity in Paris.
CHÂTEAU DE VERSAILLE
The Palace of Versailles is one of the most famous monuments in France and a major symbol of royal history. Located west of Paris, it is closely associated with the reign of Louis XIV, who transformed a former hunting lodge into a grand palace designed to express the power of the monarchy. The palace impresses with the richness of its architecture, its sumptuous decoration and its ceremonial spaces, especially the famous Hall of Mirrors, the King’s Grand Apartments and the Queen’s Apartments. The visit continues through the vast Gardens of Versailles, designed by André Le Nôtre, with their perspectives, fountains, ponds, statues and groves. The estate also includes the Grand Trianon, the Petit Trianon and the Queen’s Hamlet. Both a palace, museum and historic estate, Versailles offers a unique immersion into the art, power and history of France.
LES INVALIDES
Les Invalides is a famous historic monument located in Paris’s 7th arrondissement. Built in the 17th century during the reign of Louis XIV, it was originally intended to provide shelter and care for wounded soldiers and French war veterans. The site is renowned for its majestic architecture and classical elegance. Its most iconic feature is the golden Dome of Les Invalides, which houses the tomb of Napoleon I. This monument attracts many visitors every year. Les Invalides is also home to the Army Museum, dedicated to French military history, with important collections of weapons, armor, uniforms, and historical artifacts. Visitors can explore several centuries of military history, from medieval wars to modern conflicts. Today, Les Invalides remains a powerful symbol of French national heritage and the memory of war veterans.
MUSEUM OF DECORATIVE ARTS
The Museum of Decorative Arts, located in the Marsan wing of the Louvre Palace in the heart of Paris, is one of the city’s major museums dedicated to lifestyle, design and craftsmanship. Its collections, among the most important in the world in this field, bring together furniture, fashion, textiles, ceramics, glass, jewellery, graphic design, advertising and design objects. The visitor route traces the evolution of styles, techniques and taste from the Middle Ages to contemporary creation. The museum shows that beauty can also be found in everyday objects: a chair, a dress, a poster or a piece of tableware can tell the story of an era, a way of life or an innovation. Between art, craftsmanship, industry, fashion and design, the visit offers a different view of Paris, as a capital of style, creativity and refinement.
THE CONCERGIERIE
The Conciergerie is one of Paris’s major historic monuments. Formerly part of the Palais de la Cité, it was first a place of power where the kings of France lived during the Middle Ages. It still preserves remarkable medieval spaces, including the Salle des Gens d’armes, a large 14th-century Gothic hall whose vaulted ceilings recall the power of the Capetian monarchy. But the Conciergerie is also known for its role as a prison during the French Revolution. Many prisoners were held there before being judged by the Revolutionary Tribunal, including Marie-Antoinette, who spent her final days there. Today, a visit reveals both the splendour of medieval Paris and the tragic memory of the Revolution. Close to the Sainte-Chapelle, it offers a powerful journey into the history of Paris.
LOUVRE MUSEUM
The Louvre Museum is one of the largest and most famous museums in the world. Located in the heart of Paris, it occupies the former Louvre royal palace, a building steeped in history that was first a medieval fortress before becoming a royal residence, then a museum after the French Revolution. Its collections span several millennia and bring together major works from Europe, Egypt, Greece, Rome and the Near East. The Louvre is especially known for masterpieces such as the Mona Lisa, the Venus de Milo, the Winged Victory of Samothrace and The Coronation of Napoleon. Its famous glass pyramid, set in the Cour Napoléon, has become one of the museum’s symbols. Impossible to visit in full in a single trip, the Louvre is best explored through themed routes, according to your interests and the time available.