This post is all about the lesser-known museums in Paris!
Paris is a very culturally rich city and not lacking in the museum department, to say the least! You of course have your world-renown ones, such as the Louvre or the Musée d’Orsay. However, you also have some lesser-known museums in Paris that are worth your time.
The benefit of course of those places is that they are less crowded, which can be a huge bonus at the peak of the vacation season. In addition, if this is not your first visit to Paris, you might discover some new places you love.
All those places have a permanent collection and one or several temporary exhibits. So make sure to check out the various programming!
This post is all about the best museums in Paris you don’t know about (yet)!
Lesser-known museums in Paris
Musée du Quai Branly
The musée du Quai Branly was the passion project of the former French President, Jacques Chirac. The museum’s full name is in fact musée du Quai Branly – Jacques Chirac. The focus point of this museum is all the cultures from Oceania to Asia, from Africa to the Americas. It covers a lot of ground! You’ll be able to discover photographs, textiles, sculptures, masks from all those places.
From the outside, it is very different from other Parisian museums. It’s a structure with a lot of glass panels and tons of vegetation. The museum has a lovely garden where you can enjoy a cup of coffee. So even if the museum is not really your thing, you can have a walk through the museum’s garden for free.
The museum is located very close to another iconic Paris landmark: the Eiffel Tower. you’ll just need to continue your stroll along the Seine river banks and you’ll stumble upon this lovely museum.
To access the museum you can get out at the stop “Pont de l’Alma” on the line C train or metro line 9 station “Alma-Marceau”.
Palais Galliera
Very close to the Musée du Quai Branly, you’ll find the Palais Galliera. Paris is known for fashion, it seems only fitting to include a Fashion and Costume museum to the list.
The outside gate, the gardens, and the main building are very beautiful well kept.
If you enjoy looking at beautiful garments, designer sketches and just being in awe of the masterpieces the museum is showing, this is the place for you! From Haute Couture to 18th and 19th-century dresses, to photographs, you’ll have a good overview of the evolution I fashion over the last centuries. Also, be on the lookout for the temporary exhibits of the Palais Galliera. You can find some real gems that would not want to miss out on!
To access the museum you can get out at the stop “Pont de l’Alma” on the line C train or metro line 9 station “Alma-Marceau”.
Musée Jacquemart-André
The Jacquemart-André museum is one I recommend to all my friends to go and see. Before being a museum this place was a private mansion built in the 19th century. The inside of the mansion is astonishingly beautiful and you don’t expect it all going in. You really get a feel of how each room was back in the day. Each piece of art of furniture was carefully chosen by the family, Jacquemart-André. As they had no children, their art collection was their baby and they only wanted what they felt was the best.
the home even has a dedicated wing to Italy. Walking through the museum, I really got the impression of being back in Italy, it was incredible.
Besides the amazing private mansion with all its beautiful rooms and art collection, you can also enjoy temporary exhibits. They are always so well-curated, it is a real pleasure to enjoy art in such an amazing surrounding.
Hop off at station “Miromesnil” on metro lines 9 and 13 to discover this amazing place!
Musée Guimet
The musée Guimet is all about Asian art and culture. Unfortunately, their website is only available in English, but I’m sure that Google will be more than happy to translate for you! This museum is not huge but has 3 stories full of all the sculptures, paintings, drawings, pictures from Japan all the way to Afghanistan, not forgetting India, China, or Korea.
You have around 2 temporary exhibits each month which are decent sized. However, the major part of the museum is the permanent collection.
This museum really feels like a place for Asian culture experts. So if this is you and you want to expand your knowledge on maybe other Asian cultures you are less familiar with, this will be the place for you!
The musée Guimet is very close to the Palais Galliera. You’ll just need to hop off at station “Iena” on metro line 9.
This post is all about the lesser-known museums in Paris!
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