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.

I must've come at the wrong time or something. The upstairs area was closed off. The starting point…read morewas a bunch of fans blowing air. Then I saw a number of excessively sexual exhibits. And then an exhibit about the exhibit... I see many other more impressive artworks in other reviews online, so this time around must not be it. Modern art is weird and not for me

We wanted to see the modern art wing of this museum. The free section of the museum isn't very…read moreextensive, but it does have some very large, significant pieces. It only takes about 30 minutes to see the free section of the museum, but at least it got us off the crowded streets of Paris for a little while. The courtyard outside is very beautiful, and it is very near a picturesque pedestrian bridge over the Seine. It was a nice little diversion, but I don't think I'd make the effort to go again.

The Eiffel Tower is a wrought iron lattice tower that is one of the most recognizable landmarks in…read morethe world, rising prominently above the surrounding parkland and cityscape. Constant foot traffic moves through the area throughout the day as people gather to view it from multiple angles or approach its base. At ground level, the scale of the tower became much more apparent. Its iron framework creates a dense geometric pattern that shifts visually as I moved around it. The area around the base was consistently active, with people spreading out across the open space, sitting in the grass, or lining up for entry to the elevators and stair routes. Standing directly underneath it emphasized the height and structural complexity in a way that photos never capture. Moving from ground to the first and second levels, the experience transitioned into observation platforms that opened up wide views across Paris. The ascent itself felt structured, with clear movement between levels and designated viewing points that changed the perspective of the city at each stage. On the second level, I could already see the Seine winding through the city and the patchwork of rooftops. At the top level, the city layout became visible in all directions, and the viewing experience shifted from close structural detail to a wide urban panorama.

The Eiffel Tower, a magnificent structure, was constructed between January 1887 and March 31, 1889…read more Standing at 330 meters high, it towers over the city, captivating visitors with its grandeur. Yesterday, we had the privilege of ascending to the very top of the tower, an experience that was both exhilarating and awe-inspiring. The breathtaking view of the city stretched out before us, an incredible sight that left us in awe.

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.

We did the after hours guided tour. I just have to say that this was an amazing experience and a…read moremust do when going to Paris. There were multiple tours going on in different languages at the same time but each group went to different sections. So your group might pass another group but you were not together. Our group was about 20 people. When you are facing the opera you go to the left and security about half way down the opera lets you in. Then you check in and wait in a rotunda area. After waiting for probably 15-20 our tour started. They take you to most of the areas and it's semi private. One of the highlights of our trip!

Wow what a beauty of a building!!…read more I cannot emphasize enough how much you should go visit this place Specifically you should book the mystery tour held at 5pm which boasts a behind the scenes look at the Paris Opera House and its beautiful Grand Foyer(note- you may recognize the famous steps from Emily in Paris ) It's a group tour - but it's after hours so it's definitely limited people and less tourists then during the day and I loved it- The guides were great , you get an ear piece to listen to in multiple languages I would love to come back and see an actual show someday

MAD Art Deco exhibition ends April 26. I'm glad I got to see this wonderful well-thought-out…read moreinstallation. The temporary exhibits at MAD last about 6 months. Their curator and their team do an excellent job changing out their collections.

My friends and I went to the Iris van Herpen exhibition at the Musée des Arts Décoratifs and were…read moreterribly jealous and annoyed by the idea of a retrospective for a designer born in 1984. Aside from this, though, the experience was quite wonderful. We got timed entry tickets for 4:00 on a Friday. There was no wait to enter, but it was quite busy inside, with a line to check coats and a large crowd in each room of the main exhibition. It was a pretty diverse group, in age, race, and nationality, and I was surprised by the number of men in attendance. I can't imagine American men lining up for a fashion exhibition at home. The security guard who admitted us into the show blatantly hit on one of my friends. That was kind of weird (though I'm guessing more acceptable in France, home of a particularly strong strain of #metoo backlash), but the experience was otherwise smooth and pleasant. The crowd was organized, and we flowed easily from room to room. The exhibition was fantastic, beautiful and inspiring and well put together. Iris van Herpen makes exceptionally cool, sculptural clothes using a combination of innovative techniques and painstaking labor. The show highlighted some of the themes in her designs, bringing in relevant items from nature and complementary work by other artists. There were hundreds of garments on display, as well as accessories and sketchbooks and a whole room made up like an Iris van Herpen workshop, with fabrics and 3D-printed designs pinned to the walls in a giant mood board. I watched part of the looping video showing preparations for a fashion week, and wow, did that look intense. So much thought and time put into each piece. After the Iris van Herpen show, we did a quick walk-through of the permanent jewelry collection and the Fashion and Sports exhibition (we also treated ourselves to an old lady interlude, sitting on a quiet bench on the highest floor--a very nice spot if you need a break). The jewelry was impressive, and I really enjoyed the quick education in athletic wear over the decades. We stopped by the gift shop on our way out and ended up spending a good amount of time there, just browsing all of the eye-catching merchandise. (I guess it's no surprise that this museum has a worthwhile store.) There were tons of accessories and home goods and decorative items, as well as a huge selection of art books. If you have any interest in the decorative arts, check out MAD while you're in Paris. It's a stellar museum right by the Louvre, and if you go in the next few months, you'll catch a spectacular show.

Musee du Louvre in Paris is the world's largest art museum and is considered a historic landmark…read morethat housed the famous Mona Lisa painting by Leonardo da Vinci and a whole lot more. Been here 2 times and for recent times, purchasing a ticket on their official website is preferred. It is timed entry but no limit for you to explore the museum. On our 1st visit back in 2019, we did it for 3 hours focusing on the important and famous paintings. They do have brochures/maps detailing suggestions as to what to explore best. Definitely recommend to take the 1st entry, upon opening time and head straight to the Mona Lisa, to get a very good view to beat the crowd. The Mona lisa is the most famous art piece in the Louvre so everybody just wants to be there. On our 2nd visit in 2023, we did the 2nd timed entry but stayed longer. Yes, we still went to the Mona Lisa first. It was an unforgettable (in our bucket - list) experience and will never get tired of visiting it. Hubby ended up staying the whole day on our 2nd visit. There was just so much to see and a feeling that there's not enough time. I can just get lost and be happy to where I end up. Must see when in Paris! August 2026

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!

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

Such a lovely museum! Most famously known for Monet's Water Lilies, which are absolutely stunning…read more It's not a huge museum and can be done within an hour if needed. The art is so stunning and it has such a rich history to it. Definitely a must visit for sure.