Of the 136 Paris museums, the majority of travelers only ever visit the Louvre. And frankly, that’s a bummer.
There is so much more to see in Paris, the City of Light, and the capital of history and culture. You can find quirky collections and niche exhibitions or even exhibits dedicated to high-profile artists like Monet that are simply overshadowed by more popular museums.
If you’re ready for a different art experience, then these hidden gems offer a unique perspective on art, history, and French culture. Tie your most comfortable walking shoes, and check out 14 of Paris’s most intriguing, under-the-radar museums!
14 Lesser-Known Paris Museums
Paris is a city that has a story. Curated exhibits tell you the story in a hundred different ways. Some of the places nod to the past histories of Paris, from the French Revolution to the haute couture French fashion. Others amplify the culture and heritage of faraway lands.
If you’re ready to explore beyond the walls of the Louvre, here are 14 museums of Paris that are off the tourist radar.
1. Musée Carnavalet
The Musée Carnavalet is dedicated to the history of Paris and is housed in two stunning mansions in the heart of the Marais district. Originally established in the late 19th century, this museum captures the essence of Paris through various epochs, from its Roman origins to contemporary times.
Its collection includes over 600,000 artifacts, including paintings, sculptures, and historical artifacts. Key exhibits include items from the French Revolution, such as Revolutionary artifacts and personal belongings of notable figures, which provide visitors with a tangible connection to Paris’s storied past.
For first-time visitors in Paris, a must-see is the recreated historical rooms that showcase different periods in Parisian life.
Be sure to check out the beautiful gardens and the extensive collection of vintage photographs for a striking visual of the city’s development. Also, be sure to spend some time in the fashion section to see how Parisian styles have changed.
2. Musée de la Chasse et de la Nature
The Musée de la Chasse et de la Nature is a unique museum that intertwines art, nature, and the history of hunting. Housed in a grand 17th-century mansion, it was established in 1967 and is renowned for its eclectic collection, which includes paintings, sculptures, taxidermy, and antique hunting weapons.
Significant pieces include works by renowned artists that portray hunting scenes and a variety of intricate sculptures that highlight animal forms. First-time visitors should focus on the impressive collection of animal art, including paintings that capture the majesty of wildlife.
Highlights of Musée de la Chasse et de la Nature:
- An impressive collection of animal sculptures and paintings
- Antique weapons and hunting paraphernalia
- Thought-provoking contemporary art installations
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3. Musée des Arts Forains
This museum has been around since 1996 and features a collection of vintage carousels, carnival games, and theatrical pieces that once thrilled audiences. Each exhibit is lovingly restored and offers a glimpse into the nostalgia of fairground entertainment.
The museum also hosts seasonal events, so checking the schedule ahead of your visit could lead to special performances or guided tours that enhance your experience.
Highlights of Musée des Arts Forains:
- Vintage carousel rides and fair games
- Elaborate costumes and posters from bygone eras
- Interactive exhibits that bring the fairground to life
4. Musée de la Vie Romantique
Locate the Musée de la Vie Romantique in the charming Nouvelle Athènes area to celebrate the artistic fervor of the 19th century. Once the home of painter Ary Scheffer, the museum now serves as a tribute to the Romantic movement, showcasing works from artists and writers who shaped Paris’s cultural landscape.
The museum’s collection includes personal belongings of notable figures like George Sand and Frédéric Chopin, as well as paintings by Scheffer and his contemporaries.
Take time to explore the intimate rooms filled with art and literature that reflect the emotional depth of the Romantic era. The garden is a serene spot for a quiet moment despite its location in the middle of the lively Montmartre neighborhood. There’s also a calming tea room where you can segment your research on the lives of famous Romantic figures.
Highlights of Musée de la Vie Romantique:
- Personal belongings of George Sand and Frédéric Chopin
- Paintings by Ary Scheffer and his contemporaries
- A delightful tea room in the garden
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5. Paris Museums: Musée Nissim de Camondo
Once an opulent mansion, the Musée Nissim de Camondo stands now as a looking glass into the lives of a wealthy Parisian family frozen in time.
The mansion was designed by architect René Sergent in the style of the Petit Trianon and is filled with exquisite 18th-century French decorative arts, including furniture, ceramics, and tapestries.
The museum is named after Nissim de Camondo, who died in World War I, and it poignantly reflects the family’s tragic history tied to the war and the Holocaust.
The beautifully preserved interiors are a highlight, particularly the grand salons and the intricately designed kitchen that give a glimpse into the daily life of the family. Pay special attention to the collection of decorative arts, but also read about the family’s legacy.
It’s interesting to see how the pain and loss of war are felt by people of all societal statuses, and how tragedy connects us all.
Highlights of Musée Nissim de Camondo:
- An exquisite collection of 18th-century French decorative arts
- Perfectly preserved interiors, including the kitchen and servants’ quarters
- A poignant family history tied to World War II
6. Musée de la Magie
Abracadabra! Keep your eyes open and don’t blink. The Musée de la Magie brings its visitors up close to magic and illusion. Here you’ll find a vast collection of magical artifacts, props, and optical illusions, perfect for traveling to Paris with children.
The exhibits include everything from antique magic props to antique posters for famous magicians throughout history.
Be sure to catch one of the live magic demonstrations happening regularly throughout the day. Don’t miss the optical illusion displays that challenge your perception and provide a playful experience for visitors of all ages. Unlike many of the culturally elegant museums in Paris, this one is more on the quirky side.
Highlights of Musée de la Magie:
- Antique magic props and posters
- Live magic demonstrations
- Interactive optical illusions
7. Musée Jacquemart-André
The Musée Jacquemart-André is a stunning private mansion that houses the art collection of Nélie and André Édouard. Opened as a museum in 1913, this gallery within a palatial residence showcases masterpieces from the Italian Renaissance, 18th-century French paintings, and lavishly decorated private apartments from a time long ago.
The museum is renowned for its exquisite decor and beautifully curated exhibits that reflect the couple’s passion for art and culture.
Take your time exploring the grand salons, where you’ll find works by renowned artists like Botticelli and Fragonard. The luxurious interiors themselves are a feast for the eyes, with ornate furnishings and detailed artwork. Make sure to visit the cafe located in the former winter garden, where you can enjoy a leisurely break while admiring the elegant surroundings.
Highlights of Musée Jacquemart-André:
- Italian Renaissance masterpieces
- 18th-century French paintings and furniture
- The couple’s lavishly decorated private apartments
8. Musée Marmottan Monet
While not entirely unknown, this museum often gets overshadowed by its more famous cousins, the Louvre and the D’Orsay. However, it boasts the world’s largest collection of Claude Monet’s works. Musée Marmottan Monet was established in 1934, eight years after the death of Monet.
The location is set inside a former hunting lodge and now features a remarkable array of Impressionist masterpieces, including Monet’s iconic “Impression, Soleil Levant.” The museum also houses works by other Impressionist luminaries such as Renoir and Degas, as well as illuminated manuscripts that provide insight into the artistic milieu of the time.
Pay attention to the lesser-known works by other Impressionists that are often overshadowed, as they provide a fuller picture of this transformative art movement. Similar to an Impressionist’s painting of a refreshing, aquamarine lake, this museum has a calm and serene feeling to it.
Highlights of Musée Marmottan Monet:
- Monet’s iconic “Impression, Soleil Levant”
- Works by other Impressionist masters like Renoir and Degas
- Illuminated medieval manuscripts
9. Musée des égouts de Paris
Taking a trip south of street level is usually reserved for the macabre travels into the catacombs, but perhaps you might take a slightly more off-kilter adventure. You could descend into the Paris Sewer Museum for a unique (and yes, slightly smelly) perspective on the city’s infrastructure.
The Musée des égouts de Paris (Paris Sewer Museum) offers a one-of-a-kind exploration of a place tucked out from the elegant views of Parisian life. It was established in 2000 and can be quite interesting to those with an interest in history and engineering.
It may not be chic, but the sewer systems of a city are the unsung heroes that keep it clean and functional.
Highlights of Musée des égouts de Paris:
- Walk through real, functioning sewers
- Learn about the engineering marvels beneath Paris’s streets
- Discover the history of Paris’s water management
10. Paris Museum: Musée Guimet
The Musée Guimet allows its visitors to journey to the Far East without leaving Paris. Outside of Asia, this museum holds one of the largest collections of Asian art in the Western Hemisphere. It was founded by Émile Guimet 1889, a French industrialist, traveler, and connoisseur of world art (similar to Isabella Stewart Gardner in Boston).
You’ll find artifacts from China, Japan, India, and Southeast Asia, all of which highlight the cultural richness and diversity of these regions. The collection includes sculptures, textiles, and decorative arts that span centuries, providing visitors with a comprehensive look at Asian artistic traditions.
For first-time visitors, the beautifully displayed Buddhist sculptures and artifacts are essential stops. Don’t miss the temporary exhibitions as they often focus on contemporary artists from Asia and offer a juxtaposition of how design and creativity have evolved.
Highlights of Musée Guimet:
- Extensive collections of art from China, Japan, India, and Southeast Asia
- Beautiful Buddhist sculptures and artifacts
- Regular exhibitions of contemporary Asian art
11. Musée de Montmartre
Perched atop the charming Montmartre hill, this museum celebrates the bohemian history of Paris’s most artistic neighborhood. The Musée de Montmartre was established in 1960 at the beginning of the free-love and hippie movement.
The museum is located in a former artist’s residence and preserves work by former neighborhood locals, including Toulouse-Lautrec, Renoir, and Picasso.
This particular place is so special because it captures Montmartre’s golden age when artists and writers flocked to its cafes and cabarets. When travelers enjoy the excitement and fun of a show at the Moulin Rouge, they’re experiencing an extension of this time period.
First-time visitors should be sure to explore the reconstructed artist studios, which offer insight into the creative processes of those who lived and worked in Montmartre.
Highlights of Musée de Montmartre:
- Works by artists who lived and worked in Montmartre, like Toulouse-Lautrec
- Reconstructed artist studios
- Beautiful gardens with views over Paris
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12. Musée Cernuschi
The Musée Cernuschi is another gem for Asian art lovers, particularly of works stemming from China, Korea, Japan, and Vietnam. This spot was established in 1898 by collector Henri Cernuschi, who had an affinity for ceramics, bronzes, and paintings.
Go for a stroll near Parc Monceau and stumble across this beautiful mansion. Check out the collection of Chinese bronzes, but also pay attention to the exhibitions on East Asian ceramics, which illustrate the evolution of styles and techniques over centuries.
Though smaller in size compared to the Guimet, you’re more likely to have a less overwhelming and more intimate experience here.
Highlights of Musée Cernuschi:
- An impressive collection of Chinese bronzes
- Beautiful array of East Asian ceramics
- Regular exhibitions on various aspects of Asian art and culture
13. Musée Curie
Science enthusiasts, this one’s for you! The Curie Museum is dedicated to the groundbreaking work of Marie Curie and her family. While many believe it was simply Marie Curie herself who should be acknowledged for such scientific accomplishments, many of her family members made significant contributions to medicine and research.
Her husband, Pierre Curie, was also a prominent figure in the sciences, as well as the work of their daughter, Irène Joliot-Curie, who won a Nobel Prize.
The museum is located in the exact laboratory where Marie Curie conducted her research on radioactivity. Be sure to explore the preserved office and laboratory, where you can see the instruments used in early radioactivity research.
The exhibits include original documents, photographs, and scientific instruments that provide insight into the Curies’ lives and work.
Highlights of Musée Curie:
- Marie Curie’s office and laboratory, preserved as they were in the early 20th century
- Instruments used in early radioactivity research
- Exhibits on the Curie family’s scientific legacy
14. Musée du Parfum Fragonard
While the French did not invent perfume, they did perfect it and make the art of perfumery their own. You can treat your nose to a sensory journey at the Musée du Parfum Fragonard.
Fragonard is one of the longest-standing perfumers in France, founded in 1926 by Eugène Fuchs and named after the local painter Jean-Honoré Fragonard.
The exhibits include antique perfume bottles, historical manufacturing equipment, and interactive displays that explain the intricacies of scent creation.
The museum conducts daily perfume-making workshops for visitors to participate in. This hands-on experience allows you to create your own scent while learning about the various ingredients that go into perfume.
Highlights of Musée du Parfum Fragonard:
- Learn about the history and art of perfume-making
- See antique perfume bottles and manufacturing equipment
- Participate in perfume-making workshops
Before you visit, be sure to check their official websites for up-to-date information on opening hours, admission fees, and any special exhibitions. Many museums offer free admission on the first Sunday of each month, so plan accordingly if you’re on a budget.
Should You Go to the Louvre?
In a city as vast and cultured as Paris, there is a lot to see, but does that mean you should skip the Louvre? No!
The Louvre is absolutely worth a visit, especially if it’s your first time in Paris. For context, the Louvre is a massive space with seemingly endless corridors of art pieces from all different time periods.
Seasoned travelers recommend spending two to three hours in the Louvre, but if you love art, you could easily linger over artwork for a full day.
However, part of being a cultural traveler means exploring the lesser-known sides of a place. A visit to one of these unique museums is a great place to start.
