10 Best Small Museums in Paris

Paris has many world-class museums, including the Louvre, Orsay and Pompidou. While you should not miss these top three museums, there are other amazing small museums in Paris that cultural travelers can enjoy.

Visiting the Louvre, Orsay and Pompidou is well worth your trip, especially on your first visit to Paris. However, these behemoth museums are always crowded with tourists. And it takes multiple visits to the Louvre alone to see all of its collections. You can easily get overwhelmed if you do not genuinely love arts and museums.

On the other hand, small museums are much less crowded and more intimate. Many of these museums are dedicated to one artist. Also, small Parisian museums are often housed in the stunning hôtel particuliers, where you can appreciate the historic architecture of affluent noble families. (In case you are wondering, hôtel particuliers are not a hotel. They are the French aristocratic family’s urban mansions that resemble scaled-down palaces.)

So if you prefer to appreciate arts and historic architecture at your pace and learn about the life of an artist, small hidden museums are a much better option for you. They are also perfect for your second or third trips to the City of Light, assuming you hit most of your bucket list on your first visit.

Check out my other articles to plan your perfect trip to the City of Light!

• Start here >> Paris Itinerary for 4 days
• Then this >> Where to Stay in Paris First Time
• Should you buy Paris Pass or Paris Museum Pass?
• 10 Best Small Museums in Paris Without the Crowds
• Female Solo Travelers >> How to Take a Fabulous Solo Trip to Paris & 15 Things to Do Alone
• Shopping: 10 Trendy Travel Shoes for Paris
• Shopping: Best Shopping Guide in Le Marais
• Food: 25 Iconic French Desserts in Paris
• Food: 20 Best Casual Restaurants in Paris 
• Paris Neighborhood Guide: Hidden Gems in Montmartre
• Paris Neighborhood Guide: 22 Amazing Things to Do in Le Marais
• 7 Most Beautiful Covered Passages in Paris
• Day Trip: How to Survive Overcrowded Palace of Versailles in Summer
• Day Trip: Best Paris Day Trip for Spring & Summer: Giverny Monet’s Gardens 
• Weekend Trips from Paris by Train or Car

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#1.​ Rodin Museum (Musée Rodin Paris)

Rodin Museum is housed in an 18th-century mansion (Hôtel Biron) surrounded by a 3-hectare French-style garden. It is where Auguste Rodin (1940-1917) worked to create his vast collections – some 6,600 sculptures, 8,000 photographs, 7,000 objets d’art and drawings.

It is my favorite small museum in Paris. The Hôtel Biron is absolutely gorgeous! And Rodin’s works are curated so well in the stunning mansion and garden that it feels less like a museum and more like a beautiful home tour.

Rodin’s sculptures, including the most famous The Thinker, are harmoniously presented in the well-manicured garden.

By the way, I was surprised to learn that The Thinker was part of The Gates of Hell. I have seen many fun memes with the statue; however, it is not funny once you put it in the original context. After all, he is looking down on the people suffering in hell!

There are also masterpieces by other artists, such as Camille Claudel, who was Rodin’s lover and student. She was as talented as Rodin, if not better; however, she was overshadowed by Rodin and forgotten in a mental hospital until her death.

Admission: €14 [Book tickets here. Included in Paris Museum Pass and The Paris Pass (4 or 6 Days)] €6 for audio guide. | Hours: Tuesday – Sunday, 10 am – 6:30 pm (Closed Mondays) | Location: Paris 7e Arr. [Open Google Map] | Metro Station: Invalides

Insider Tip: First, pick up an audio guide near the entrance. Go to the mansion and drop off your coat at a free cloakroom. (They don’t take a wallet or passport.) Start your tour inside the mansion, then stroll in the garden. There are many statues spread throughout the sculpture garden.

#2.​ Orangerie Museum (Musée National de l’Orangerie) 

If you like impressionism (I do!), both Musée d’Orsay and Musée National de l’Orangerie should be on your list. Are you a fan of Claude Monet? Then, don’t miss Musée Marmottan-Monet (#9 on this list) and Giverny Monet’s House & Garden.

There used to be a window-ed greenhouse to protect orange trees in winter on the corner of Jardins des Tuileries. After World War I, the space was re-designed into a museum allowing lots of natural lighting to house Monet’s paintings. The artist gifted his paintings to the French state to celebrate the end of World War I and in a memorial of dedicated war veterans. Unfortunately, Monet passed away a few months before the inauguration of this museum.

Monet has dedicated his life to portraying nature, specifically his pond and gardens. No one had ever painted water the way he did. As the gigantic paintings of Water Lilies fill up an entire curved wall, he is laser-focused on the lives in the pond; there is no horizon or other things beyond his pond.

The Water Lilies (Nymphéas) series was done at the end of his life. He lost his sight due to cataracts and couldn’t tell the colors. His niece/student was helping him complete this project, but he was said to be devastated and depressed. Nevertheless, The Water Lilies is his masterpiece and among the most beloved artworks of the 20th century.

While the museum is best known for the Water Lilies in the oval rooms, its impressionist and modern art collection also feature Renoir, Cézanne, Modigliani, Matisse and Picasso.

Admission: €12.50 [Book tickets here. Included in Paris Museum Pass and The Paris Pass (4 or 6 Days)] | Hours: 9 am – 6 pm (Closed Tuesdays.) | Location: Jardin des Tuileries, Paris 1e Arr. [Open Google Map]

Insider Tip: Booking your timed entry is a must, even if you have free admission, such as Paris Museum Pass. A time-stamped ticket gives priority access, and you can skip the long line.

#3. Picasso National Museum (Musée National Picasso-Paris)

You may wonder why Picasso in Paris, not in Spain. But just like many other artists, the Spanish abstract artist loved Paris and was a longtime resident. 

Picasso Museum is housed in the Hôtel Salé located in the historic Le Marais. The architect Jean-François Bodin renovated the 17th-century private mansion to accommodate 5,000 artworks by Pablo Picasso, including his paintings, ceramics and sculpture.  

April 8, 2023 marks the 50th anniversary of the death of Pablo Picasso. The Musée Picasso Paris celebrated his life and heritage milestones with a special exhibit, “Célébration Picasso, La Collection Trend des Couleurs” by the British designer Sir Paul Smith.

Paul Smith curated the collection by color. These colors are associated with Picasso’s style and specific period in his life. For example, the Blue Period displays his somber works mainly using blue and green, following the death of his friend Carlos Casagemas. On the contrary, the Pink Period represents cheerful paintings with pink tones when he almost exclusively focused on female bodies.  

Another interesting thing I noticed from this exhibit was the artist’s clever use of colors. Picasso had many lovers throughout his life. They often became his muse and inspired his paintings. Interestingly, he color-coded his lovers on their portraits. As he was a cubist, it might not be easy for us to tell whose portrait each painting was. Thankfully, he had his own system not to be confused; he used different palettes of colors for each one. Brilliant, eh? 

Admission: €14 [Book tickets here. Included in Paris Museum Pass and The Paris Pass (4 or 6 Days)] | Hours: 10:30 am – 6 pm. Sat & Sun opens at 9:30 am. (Closed Monday.) | Location: Le Marais, Paris 3e Arr. [Open Google Map]

#4.​ Carnavalet Museum (Musée Carnavalet)

Carnavalet Museum is the oldest museum in Paris and one of the hidden gems in Le Marais. This city museum opened in 1880 and extensively focused on the history of Paris, dating back to 2,500 years ago.

The very first room displays lots of hanging signs. Back then, the signs graphically indicated what your business was about. If you see a key, that represents a locksmith, and a pig for a butcher, etc.

You can discover many rare items in this museum salvaged throughout history. The revolutionist demolished the statue of King Louis XIV, and somehow only his left foot on the statue survived. And there is the Declaration of the Rights of Land and the Citizens issued during the French Revolution. You also get a rare opportunity to look closely at some pieces of stained glass instead of seeing them from a distance at church. And an entire jewelry store with delicate and elaborate jewelry displays, etc. The list goes on.

Besides the 17th/18th-century artworks and other unique historical relics, you can appreciate charming interiors and classic furniture. The museum occupies two hôtel particuliers from the 16th and 17th centuries, later renovated in the 19th century. It is interesting to note that Madame de Sévigné – a writer, an influential social butterfly and a lover of King Louis XIV. – once lived here from 1677 to 1696.  

Admission: Free. Temporary exhibitions: €2.99 | Hours: 10 am – 6 pm  (Closed Mondays) | Location: Paris 4e Arr. [Open Google Map] 

Insider Tip: Pick up a guide map or download the museum app. This museum flow is a bit tricky, and they have a vast amount of art and artifacts. I got lost inside! 

#5. Bourse de Commerce – Pinault Collection

The Pinault Museum is a private contemporary art collection by François Pinault. The vast collection is exhibited in the beautiful ancient Parisian stock exchange building. 

Pinault is a French billionaire businessman and chairman/CEO of the luxury Kering group that owns Gucci, Bottega Veneta, Alexander McQueen and Saint Lauren. He is also the actress Salma Hayek’s husband. 

The museum presents 10,000 works, from paintings to sculptures, photography, installations, videos and sound pieces. Many contemporary artworks and installations captured my attention. 

However, more than anything, the architecture is the crown jewel of this museum. The centerpiece is a 30-foot-tall cylinder of concrete that allows natural light to penetrate. An epic 360-degree panoramic mural on the curving wall underneath the glass dome is impressive! 

Funny, it was only when I reached the souvenir shop I learned that the architect was Tadao Ando, a much-celebrated Japanese architect who mastered a minimalist space created by concrete walls. I have visited many of his creations in Japan and Korea before and have been awed by the architectural beauty. For that, I highly recommend visiting Pinault Collection. 

Admission: €15 [Book your tickets here.] | Hours: 11 am – 7 pm. Open late until 9 pm on Fridays. (Closed on Tuesdays.) | Location: Paris 1e Arr. [Open Google Map]

#6. Musée Jacquemart-André

Important: The museum will close from August 1, 2023 to September 1, 2024 for restoration work.

Musée Jacquemart-André is housed in an ornate 19th-century hôtel particulier near the Champs-Elysées. This private museum presents the 15th-18th century European art collections. 

The grand townhome used to belong to successful bourgeois Édouard André and Nélie Jacquemart in the late 1800s. This Second Empire mansion was designed to host opulent parties; hence the entire house is elegantly decorated, from a grand foyer to a winter garden, a monumental staircase and private apartments.  

The couple collected art and artifacts during their travels around Europe. Their collection includes: the 18th-century French paintings by Fragonard, Boucher and others; the 17th-century Flemish and Dutch paintings by Rembrandt and Van Dyck; and Italian Renaissance art by Botticelli and Bellini.  

Besides the permanent collection, the museum often hosts temporary exhibits. When I visited, the museum hosted a presentation dedicated to Venetian Renaissance painter Giovanni Bellini. 

Don’t forget to stop by the Café Jacquemart-André. This beautiful tea room is in the mansion’s former dining room with a patio overlooking the front yard. Have brunch there or sample their delicious pastries. 

Admission: €17 [Book Skip-the-Line ticket here.] | Hours: 10 am – 6 pm | Location: Paris 8e Arr. [Open Google Map]

Insider Tip: The audio guide for the permanent collection is free. There is an unattended cloakroom, where you need €1 to use a coin locker. 

#7. Maison de Victor Hugo

The celebrated French writer Victor Hugo lived in the Marais for 16 years (1832-1948). He occupied one of the red-brick mansions at the corner of Place des Vosges. His former residence turned into a museum dedicated to his life.

Victor Hugo’s apartment is well-preserved with original furniture, decorations and antique collections. 

He is a famous French writer, but you may be surprised that he was also a painter, photographer and interior designer. Particularly, he had a taste for Chinese culture and chinoiseries. The Chinese Lounge is decorated with Chinese ceramics, embroidered silks and woodcarving furniture; it is an excellent example signifying his passion for Chinese imports. 

The museum is small and it takes about an hour to tour his former mansion. But it is worth peeping at where the great author’s imagination came from.

Admission: Free. Audio guides (French, English, German, Spanish, Italian, Japanese): €5 | Hours: 10 am – 6 pm (Closed Mondays) | Location: Le Marais, Paris 4e Arr. [Open Google Map]

Insider Tip: At the other corner of Place des Vosges, don’t miss Hôtel de Sully. It is easy to miss the door to the hôtel particulier and its courtyard. But it is one of the most beautiful townhomes in Le Marais, which belonged to Duke de Sully, the trusted minister of King Henry IV.

#8.​ Musée Gustave Moreau

Gustave Moreau’s house museum shows how a Parisian painter lived and worked in his 19th-century house studio. Gustave Moreau, the Symbolist, donated his home and paintings in 1897 to turn it into a museum shortly before his death.

The collection features 1,300 paintings and 5,000 drawings, including Jupiter and Semele, Chimera and The Return of the Argonauts. He took inspiration from Greek mythology stories and often painted allegories and mythological subjects. 

His former studio on the fourth floor is accessible by a spiral staircase. And this staircase is one of the most stunning features of this house. 

Admission: €7 [Included in Paris Museum Pass and The Paris Pass (4 or 6 Days)] | Hours: 10 am – 6 pm (Closed Tuesdays) | Location: Paris 9e Arr. [Open Google Map]

Insider Tip: If you present admission to any of the following in the eight days, you can get €2 discount for the museum at the Musée d’Orsay, the Palais Garnier, the Musée National des Arts Asiatiques-Guimet or the Musée de la Vie Romantique. (Or vice versa.) So keep your tickets.

#9. Musée Marmottan Monet

Musée Marmottan Monet is an art museum dedicated to Claude Monet and other impressionists. Paul Marmottan donated his townhouse and collections to the Académie des Beaux-arts in 1932. The museum also became home to the world’s most extensive collection of works by Claude Monet, gifted by the painter’s son Michel.

The museum holds 300 paintings by Monet, including Soleil Levant (Sunrise), Roses and Nymphéas (Water Lilies series).

Impression, Sunrise is an 1872 painting first exhibited in Paris in 1874. It was nothing like traditional paintings and was sensational at the time. “Impression” from this painting name is credited to have coined the term “impressionism” to describe the new painting style.

Take your time to appreciate each painting. Unlike Orangerie Museum, there are no crowds to beat.

Admission: €14 [Book Skip-the-Line tickets here] | Hours: 10 am – 6 pm (Closed on Mondays.) | Location: 2 Rue Louis Boilly, Paris 16e Arr. [Open Google Map]

Insider Tip: Monet’s collection is at the underground level. If you follow the flow, you will go from the ground (Rez-de-Chaussée) to the first level (the second floor in American terms), then go down to the underground. So you will see Monet last. 

#10. Musée National Eugène Delacroix

Musée National Eugène Delacroix is another excellent small museum in Paris that the artist’s former residence and studio turned into a museum.

Eugène Delacroix was one of the most significant French painters of the 19th century. His vibrant use of color and innovative techniques broke the rules of early 19th-century art. He mastered capturing dramatic emotion and evoked intense feelings in his paintings. For that, he is considered a key figure in Romanticism.

Liberty Leading the People (1830) and The Death of Sardanapalus (1827) are his greatest masterpieces. Both of these paintings are at the Musée du Louvre.

While you cannot see his most famous paintings at the Musée National Eugène Delacroix, you can enjoy the museum’s collection of other drawings, paintings and letters.

British painters and literature, like Shakespeare, profoundly influenced him. Interestingly, he wrote a play that he never published. He also was interested in music. He created an extensive series of lithographs for Hamlet and music notes. He also drew a series of the play scenes, such as Romeo and Juliet.

Don’t forget to visit the cute, serene garden (and its pleasantly fragrant flowers!!). Immerse yourself in the artist-designed studio and garden in the heart of Saint-Germain-des-près, the neighborhood inspired so many artists, philosophers and intellectuals in Paris during his time. 

Admission: €7 [Buy at the door. Included in Paris Museum Pass and The Paris Pass (4 or 6 Days)] | Hours: 9:30 am – 5:30 pm (Closed on Tuesdays.) | Location: 6 Rue de Furstenberg, Paris 6e Arr. [Open Google Map]

Insider Tip: There is no audio guide. However, the museum occasionally offers sessions with a docent in French.