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World-class art in Paris

  • Paris, Ile-de-France, France

  • Bucket List Experience

Last updated: 12 March, 2024

Few countries have defined the history of Western art like France; from the 19th century onwards, the country was considered the epicentre of the art world, with Paris as its heart. The city was the home to world-renowned artists such as Picasso, Van Gogh, Rodin and Dali, and central to movements like Impressionism, Cubism and Pointillism.

Even today, cutting-edge galleries house the best modern and contemporary art, in spectacular buildings whose architecture is as much an attraction as the art inside. But the city is also an art capital thanks to its museums, which showcase everything from non-Western indigenous art and medieval sculpture, to Renaissance art and Impressionism.

Who to go with: tour operators

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Cognacq-Jay Museum

  • Paris, IIe-de-France, France

Wagram Room at Musee Cognacq-Jay, filled with wooden polished furniture , paintings on each wall and a chandelier in the centre

Experience

Set in the old Hotel Donon, this museum houses a collection of 18th-century art and decorative arts collected by a department store mogul. An insight into the elegance and opulence of the French Enlightenment era.

Good for age: 18+

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  • Paris, Ile-de-France, France

A front view of the entrance to Dali museum. The museum name is displayed on a black shop banner and there is a squared window with artwork displayed

Experience

Montmarte museum dedicated to the surrealist Salvador Dali, displaying over 300 of his works. Dali lived and painted in Paris for many years.

Adult price: 8

Good for age: 18+

  • Paris, Ile-de-France, France

Inside view of the museum where a man is stood inside another room looking around. The room is filled with Gustave's paintings

Experience

Dedicated to the works of Symbolist painter Gustave Moreau, this museum is housed in his former home and studio.

Adult price: 5

Good for age: 18+

  • Paris, Ile-de-France, France

  • Bucket List Experience

A front view of the Jacquemart-André Museum on a cloudy day

Experience

Superb 19th-century collection of Italian Renaissance masterpieces, French portraiture and decorative arts.

Adult price: 15

Min age 18

Good for age: 18+

  • Paris, Ile-de-France, France

External view of the modern building of the Louis Vuitton Foundation

Experience

One of Paris’ main museums for Contemporary & Historical art exhibitions, set in a stunning avant-garde silver and glass structure designed by Frank Gehry.

Adult price: 16

Good for age: 18+

  • Paris, Ile-de-France, France

  • Bucket List Experience

Landscape view of Louvre Museum outside building with the famous glass pyramid structure against a sunny blue day

Experience

The world’s most visited museum, a treasure trove of art from around the world. Admire the Mona Lisa, Venus de Milo and many, many more…

Adult price: 15

Good for age: 13+

  • Paris, Ile-de-France, France

  • Bucket List Experience

Several paintings on the wall of a rotunda gallery

Experience

The world’s largest collection of Monet’s paintings, displayed in a grand 19th-century mansion – including his world-famous ‘water lily’ canvases.

Adult price: 10

Good for age: 18+

  • Paris, Ile-de-France, France

  • Bucket List Experience

Three pink Dior gowns on exhibition in the museum

Experience

The largest museum of decorative arts in continental Europe, home to an inspirational and diverse collection of 1 million+ items dating from the Middle Ages through to the latest designers.

Adult price: 12

Good for age: 18+

  • Paris, Ile-de-France, France

  • Bucket List Experience

Man looking at a self portrait of Van Gogh

Experience

A glorious Belle Epoque train station that’s now a temple to Impressionist art dating from 1848 to 1914. The collection includes works by Monet, Manet, Degas, Cezanne, Gauguin and Van Gogh.

Adult price: 14

Good for age: 13+

  • Paris, Ile-de-France, France

  • Bucket List Experience

Front view of the museum with an open grass space and the museum in the background on a sunny cloudy day

Experience

This exceptional collection of works by one of the world’s most famous sculptor, is presented in his former home and gardens in Paris.

Adult price: 10

Good for age: 18+

  • Paris, Ile-de-France, France

  • Bucket List Experience

A white, curved room with Monet's oversized Water Lilly canvases wrapping around the entire room

Experience

A world-class art museum in Napoleon III’s former citrus house, home to Impressionist and modernist artworks, including Monet’s iconic Water Lilies.

Adult price: 8

Good for age: 18+

  • Paris, Ile-de-France, France

  • Bucket List Experience

Front view of Museum of Modern Art building and the art carved onto the walls on a sunny blue day

Experience

Paris’ palatial Modern art museum, home to a vast collection of 20th-century works by world-famous artists like Dufy, Matisse & Picasso.

Good for age: 18+

  • Paris, Ile-de-France, France

  • Bucket List Experience

A front view of the Picasso Museum building and entrance on a sunny blue day

Experience

One of the world’s most important Picasso museums, highlighting the artist’s prolific career and his own collection of art in a sumptuous 17th-century mansion.

Adult price: 12

Good for age: 18+

Logistics

Price: Free
Minimum age: Any
Age suitable: 18+
When: All year around

Who to go with: organised tours

5

Our selection of the best Viator tours of this attraction or activity

Louvre Museum & Musée d'Orsay - Exclusive Guided Tour (Reserved Entry Included!)

  • Paris

Louvre Museum & Musée d'Orsay - Exclusive Guided Tour (Reserved Entry Included!)

Viator

Admire some of history's most treasured artworks at the Louvre Museum and Musée d'Orsay on this exclusive tour. Enjoy reserved timed entry tickets and expert guided tour of these world-famous museums and marvel at must-see masterpieces including the 'Mona Lisa,' 'Venus de Milo,' and 19th-century classics from Monet, Renoir and van Gogh. Journey through the history of art, from Greek antiquity to the post–Impressionists, while learning about the pieces from your expert private guide.

Price €243

Min age 0

Rating 4.99 / 5 [142 ratings]

Tour supplied by:

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Street Art tour in Paris - Discover Paris murals !

  • Paris

Street Art tour in Paris - Discover Paris murals !

Viator

With this 2,5 hour and 8km tour, you will cross in Segway a modern district of Paris (off the beaten tracks!). You will discover many murals, including the monumental ones of Obey (Shepard Fairey), Tristan Eaton, Invader, Inti, Seth, Okuda... After this tour, Street Art will have no secrets for you!

Price €59

Min age 14

Rating 4.97 / 5 [126 ratings]

Tour supplied by:

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Montmartre Street Art Tour with an Artist

  • Paris

Montmartre Street Art Tour with an Artist

Viator

Where art history meets Street Art! ​Because of its artistic history and beautiful church on top of the hill, Montmartre is called the most attractive tourist destination in Paris since the beginning of the 20th century. It is also one of the most popular places for young street artists to express themselves and be seen. ​On this tour we will talk about the bohemian art of XIX-XX century Paris – Henri Toulouse-Lautrec, Vincent van Gogh, Picasso, Matisse – while taking the backstreets to look at all the art done today on the streets. We will try to understand today phenomenon of street art popularity, based on the history of arts. You’ll be surprised how quiet and colourful the streets of Montmartre are if you skip the most touristic places. Combined group per event can have maximum 15 guests. Reservation is obligatory.

Price €36

Min age 0

Rating 4.86 / 5 [107 ratings]

Tour supplied by:

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Invader Hunt - Street Art Tour of le Marais

  • Paris

Invader Hunt - Street Art Tour of le Marais

Viator

Visit one of the most interesting neighbourhoods of Paris and discover its hidden treasures. Get ready and install the free application to collect Space Invaders during our walk. This tour is designed especially for people who are looking for an alternative, fun way to explore the city. During this experience we get to visit the historic area of Paris, get to recognise the number of its most popular street artists, and see a lot of different type of artworks, some existing only in virtual space (!). And of course, a knowledgeable guide will provide you with interesting stories along your way. Tour is popular among the families travelling with kids.

Price €36

Min age 0

Rating 4.82 / 5 [28 ratings]

Tour supplied by:

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Louvre Museum and Musée d'Orsay Private Tour

  • Paris

Louvre Museum and Musée d'Orsay Private Tour

Viator

Enjoy skip-the-line access and learn the stories behind some of the world’s most famous works of art on this private tour of the Louvre Museum and the Musée d’Orsay in Paris. With your informative English-speaking guide, visit the Louvre and admire the 'Mona Lisa,' 'The Raft of the Medusa,' 'Venus de Milo' and other masterpieces. Enjoy some free time before meeting your guide again at the Musée d’Orsay, home to 4,000 artworks from the second half of the 19th century by artists including Van Gogh, Monet, Renoir and Rodin. This private tour limited to six people ensures more personalized attention from your guide.

Price €450

Min age 18

Rating 4.46 / 5 [13 ratings]

Tour supplied by:

Viator Logo
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Destination guides

1

Destination guides including or relevant to this experience

Paris

  • Ile-de-France, France

Aerial view of Paris with the Eiffel Tower in frame against a beautiful golden sunset

Destination guide

Crammed with iconic buildings, world-class art and a culinary scene steeped in history, Paris is one of the world’s great capitals, overflowing with style, romance, and art de vivre. 

Round-ups

1

Round-ups that include this experience