Paris is the art capital of the world, with tourists flocking from near and far to catch a quick glimpse of Da Vinci’s Mona Lisa and wander the vast, hollow walls of the Louvre. But, whilst many people believe the Louvre to be the oracle of the Parisian art museum scene, there are actually so many other institutions well worth a pitstop in too.
So, I’ve put together a brief itinerary for art lovers looking to explore Paris outside of the Louvre. Feel free to swap museums in and out – this is just a guide to the kinds of things you could do in the City of Love (and art).
Day One
Morning
Head to the Centre Pompidou (1), Paris’ bastion of modern art. You’ll need a good couple of hours to wander through the maze of abstract rooms and world-famous works, so get there early (you’ll avoid the crowds, too).
Here you can feast your eyes on works by the likes of Picasso, Klimt, Miro, and Kandinsky, as well as browse the regularly changing temporary exhibits. Remember to allow yourself some time to have a look through the shop, too, which has loads of great books, posters, and arty knickknacks.
Lunchtime
Make your way to Montmartre either by catching the Metro or strolling through the streets. If the hills are too much for you, there is a cute little train that winds its way up to the top of Montmartre.
Once at the top, you can look around the outdoor artist stalls and enjoy some lunch in the creative atmosphere.
Afternoon
Dip into the Halle Saint Pierre (2), which lies just the other side of Montmartre. It’s an Outsider Art gallery that’s free to enter and boasts a series of well thought-out, fascinating exhibitions that touch on a variety of serious subjects. There’s also a little café downstairs, so if you want to grab a cup of tea and cake then this is the place to do it!
After spending an hour or so at the Halle Saint Pierre, head back through Montmartre to the Gustave Moreau Museum (3). Moreau was a famous Parisian symbolist painter, and the museum is dedicated to showcasing his life works, as well as offering an insight into his lifestyle and history.
Evening
Be sure to catch the sunset from the Sacre Coeur whilst you’re in the area! Then you can either choose to dine in Montmartre again (there is a great selection of rustic bistros) or head back down towards the Pigalle district which boasts a selection of eateries and is home to the famous Moulin Rouge.
Day Two
Morning
Start your day to the West of the city at the Musee Quai Branly (4), an ethnographic museum home to thousands of artefacts stemming from all over the world. The interior is laid out in regions, and you can expect to see intricately carved masks, vibrant textiles, and cultural instruments amongst numerous other displays. There is also a quaint outdoor café so, if the weather’s nice, grab a morning coffee here before you move on.
Lunchtime
Walk east along the northern bank of the Seine and find a riverside café to grab a bite to eat in. On most days there are also rows of pop-up art stalls open along the Seine, so you can browse watercolour prints, vintage maps, and colourful sketches whilst you stroll.
Afternoon
Make your first afternoon stop at the Musee l’Orangerie (5) which is situated in the picturesque Tuileries Gardens. It houses an impressive collection of impressionist and post-impressionist pieces by some of the biggest names in the world.
Afterwards, cross over to the Musee d’Orsay (6), one of Paris’ most famous institutions. It was originally built as a train station, but the platforms were too short so, in the 1950s, it was turned into a theatre. Today it displays both permanent and temporary exhibitions of some of the most famous names in the world, including Van Gogh.
Evening
Grab a drink on the river’s edge and watch the sunset before heading into the Latin Quarter to the south of the Seine and grabbing a bite to eat in an authentic French bistro.
Practical Information
Centre Pompidou
Opening hours – 11am-10pm every day except Tuesdays. Late opening on Thursdays until 11pm.
Website.
Halle Saint Pierre
Opening hours – 11am-6pm Monday-Friday. 11am-7pm on Saturdays. 12pm-6pm on Sundays.
Website.
Musee Gustave Moreau
Opening hours – 10am-12.45pm and 2pm-5.15pm on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays. 10am-5.15pm on Saturdays and Sundays. Closed on Tuesdays.
Website.
Musee Quai Branly
Opening hours – Tuesday, Wednesday, Sunday 11am-7pm. Thursday, Friday, Saturday 11am-9pm.
Website.
Musee l’Orangerie
Opening hours – 9am-6pm every day. Close on Tuesdays.
Website.
Musee d’Orsay
Opening hours – 9.30am-6pm every day except Mondays. Open until 9.45pm on Thursdays.
Website.
If you’re visiting Paris, be sure to check out activities, tours, and museum tickets by Musement – you can get 5 euros off every purchase if you use the code WANDERARTI.
[…] one of Europe’s lesser known capital cities. It sits in the shadow of cultural greats like Paris, Rome, Barcelona, and London – I mean, it really does have some big guns to contend with. But it […]
Great suggestions, Lizzie! This will make the planning for our Paris getaway this March a lot easier. There’s so much going on there!
Glad it’s useful for you Lydian! I know, there’s so much to do there it’s difficult to even know where to begin! I hope you have a wonderful time 🙂