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.

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!

Being here makes me feel so happy. I love everything about this experience... The Château, the…read moregardens, the sculptures... and people watching, of course. While here, I'm hearing multiple languages and seeing people from around the world loving all of it too. Art is a universal language. Feeling inspired to be present in the moment and to enjoy the garden and the glorious views. We gave ourselves four hours to linger and to take in all of it. Never be rushed when you come here... It's worth spending extra time taking it all in. So beautiful! And having champagne and treats in the café is a bonus!

Came here on a recent trip to Paris. I had been to the Rodin museum in Philadelphia and enjoyed…read morethat so of course I wanted to come to this one! Very cool museum with lots to look at. Of course, Rodin's Gates of Hell is here so it was worth it just to see that!

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.

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.

A dream come true to finally visit the Louvre. If you want to make sure to get in, you have to…read morepurchase your tickets online, and preferably at 9am when they first open. We arrived an hour early and was second in line so we got to be one of the first to see the Mona Lisa right as they opened and were able to get as close as the public can get. The museum is closed to the public every Tuesday. We walked through the day before and it seemed that groups in conferences is what goes on during those Tuesdays that they're closed. I booked our tickets 2 months in advance, and was able to get the opening day slot for two. And just 20 minutes after opening, the room 711 in the Denon Wing where the Mona Lisa is, got packed. You can spend the whole day here and still not have seen everything. There are multiple floors filled with art work, and luckily there are elevators. There's also a small cafe, and restaurant on the first level, and then another cafe at the second. At the exit it almost turns into a mall of shops and eateries. So it might take you another hour past when you thought you'd be exiting. You definitely want good walking shoes, cuz you'll loose track of how far you walked, even after 3 hours.

This is a beautiful museum located in a prime location. They have a fantastic view of the canal and…read moreEiffel Tower from their courtyard that they also share with Palais de Tokyo. I do wish I could have visited when they had different exhibits. Looking over the images from the past exhibits, they seem to have some amazing features. Unfortunately, during the time I visited, the featured exhibit didn't appeal to us. So we decided to just visit the permanent exhibits that didn't require admission fee. The café is lovely and carries some really great food and dessert options. We decided to just grab some water and cappuccinos during our visit. The cappuccinos were so good. A little on the pricier side, but standard to museum pricing. The book shop is great and has a lot of nice items. Found some gorgeous art prints, postcards and gift items. All the employees were very friendly, accommodating and helpful. I didn't know the coat check was free. Definitely a plus and must next time I'm there. I'd definitely like to come back next time I am in Paris!

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.

Absolutely one of the best experiences ever. It is a must to get the Audio Guide Tour - so…read moreinformative on th History of Paris and The Catacombes. We unfortunately had 105 degree weather in Paris and literally this tour was a "cool" experience for the history and the temperature - literally. Also the little gift shop after is a must - I smile every morning using my spoon and have a pair of gloves that I will be wearing as well. This and Jim Morrison's Grave was my two favorite things.

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!]

The Musee de l'Armee is located in the Hotel des Invaldies, which also houses the grand tomb of…read moreNapoleon Bonaparte. Hotel des invalides was the creation of Loius XIV and originally was a hospital and retirement home for military veterans. The museum has many different sections to visit and houses one of the largest collections of military weapons and other objets from the middle ages to the present. It also houses the St Louis des Invalides Cathedral. We visited in February 2026 and paid 17 euro each for entrance fee. Its opens at 10am and closes at 5:50pm. Plan to spend at least 3 to 4 hours here. We were here for the entire day and still did not get to see everything. Audio guides are free as long as you leave an ID with the desk. I would recommend getting the audio tour. There was massive construction going on in the enormous courtyard, so unfortunately this was not accessible. There is a cafe near Napoleans tomb which which we stopped on for hot chocolate and croissants and to rest.

This is a cool museum to visit. It once was and still is a hospital for veterans. If you like…read moreNapoleonic history then this is a MUST SEE museum. I personally enjoyed it. I cannot emphasize enough how cool and vast this museum is. Super worth seeing. Started in the weapons gallery. So many swords, knives, shields, and other weapons from different eras like the French, Ottoman Turks, the Japanese and so forth. Then went to the big French/Napoleon exhibition. Wow. So much information, portraits, videos, and stuff to learn. You could spend the entire day here. So many rooms and hallways to see. Finally finished with Napoleon's tomb. Wow! What a casket for one man. Definitely their crown jewel. What Abraham Lincoln was to us, Napoleon is to the French. Definitely visit this museum!

The Petit Palais is a beautiful old building which houses a free art museum. The special exhibits…read morehave a fee (around $14-$20 Euros), but the permanent collection is free and does not requite a reservation. They have a pretty garden view from the cafe as well, which is a nice place to stop for a coffee or tea while admiring the outdoors. Not far from the Musee d'Orsay and l'Orangerie if you would like to visit both on the same day.

Free, no reservations, not crowded and SKETCHING! Full of people sketching statuary, paintings,…read moreeach other. Six year olds sprawled on the floor drawing Rodin. They'll lend you a stool. No deposit, just "voila, amusez vous!" Possibly my new fave in Paris. Although that's stupid, one cannot have A favorite place in Paris....

The Musee de l'Armee is located in the Hotel des Invaldies, which also houses the grand tomb of…read moreNapoleon Bonaparte. It was created by Loius XIV as a hospital and retirement home for veterans. The museum has many different sections to visit and houses one of the largest collections of military weapons and other objets from the middle ages to the present: swords, knives, weapons, guns, pistols, cannons, armor, military uniforms, Napoleon's death mask, and so much more. It also houses a cathedral, St Louis des Invalides. We visited in February 2026 and paid 17 euro each for entrance fee. Its opens at 10am and closes at 5:50pm. Plan to spend at least 3 to 4 hours here. We were here for the entire day and still did not get to see everything. Audio guides are free as long as you leave an ID with the desk. I would recommend getting the audio tour. There was massive construction going on in the enormous courtyard, so unfortunately this area was not accessible. Lots of walking and stairs to climb. There is a cafe close to Napoleon's tomb to get some drinks and snacks and take a rest.

this museum is sick and so underrated, i only gave myself 3 hr to see it and missed out on a couple…read moreof sections just because of how large it is. napoleon's tomb was absurdly big too