A Guide to 5 Most Famous Museums In Paris
Paris is a city renowned for museums and cultural contributions to the world. From the priceless artworks of the Louvre to the world-class artefacts of the Musée d’Orsay, the city hosts hundreds of them. Below is a guide to the most famous museums in Paris.
Check them out!
1. Musée du Louvre
Arguably the most famous of the museums in Paris, the Musée du Louvre also known as Louvre Museum is a breathtaking sight, and for good reason. Since 1989, its iconic pyramid has been
rivalling the Champs-Elysées and the Eiffel Tower for photo ops. Originally built in the 12th century for Paris, the Louvre is a fortress situated on the banks of the Seine. By the 14th century, it was transformed into the main residence for the kings of France. The first art exhibitions were displayed in the Louvre in 1793, which was a notable year by some standards, and the admission was free at this time. People can observe student and seasoned artists sketching the masterpieces of the museum even today.
2. Centre Pompidou
The Centre Pompidou is not just a museum, but a multidisciplinary cultural centre. It has regular shows, concerts, holds a major public reading library, a cinema, children’s activities, an extensive permanent collection, and exhibits. Throughout the 1970s, the architecture of the building itself created a huge controversy. This is due to the fact that the outside façade of the building was designed as an “evolving spatial diagram”, which emulates an oil refinery. The permanent collection here is considered one of the largest in all of Europe, containing modern and contemporary art that covers the 20th and 21st centuries. Visit this place on the first Sunday of any month as admissions are free during this time. For a spectacular nighttime view of the City of Lights, head up to the 6th floor after sunset.
3. Palais de Tokyo
The Palais de Tokyo was opened in 2002 and considers itself an “anti-museum”. It acts as a site for contemporary art creations and exhibitions, despite not having a permanent collection. We highly suggest that you make an evening or night-time visit as these museums remain open until midnight.
The art space it has is seen functioning as a network of cavernous spaces where
monumental contemporary installations are seen coming to life. This space is situated in a massive building which was constructed for the Paris Exhibition of 1937. Creative residences are given to young and up-and-coming artists at this museum. One example of this is the Palais de Tokyo which remains at the forefront of contemporary art creation in Paris.
4. Musée d’Orsay
What you see as a museum now, was a former rail station constructed in 1900 for the Paris Universal Exhibition of artistic and architectural beauty. From 1848 to 1914, the Musee d’Orsay is seen housing a collection of art that is especially worth noting for its Impressionist pieces, including works by the famous Van Gogh, Manet, Millet, Renoir, Camille Claudel, Camille Pissarro, Degas, Paul Cézanne, Gustav Klimt, and Edvard Munch. And do you which are the things you’ll find on display here? There is an array of artistic mediums here, such as paintings, sculptures, photos, graphic arts, decorative arts, and architecture. Make sure you visit this museum on the first Sunday of the month if you’re looking to save money. The museum offers free entrance on this day.
5. Musée de l’Orangerie
Being a veritable treasure trove of Impressionist and post-Impressionist paintings, the Musée de l’Orangerie is the site of the famous Water Lillies (Nymphéas) of Claude Monet. Even to this day, it is organized in the manner which was outlined by the artist himself. Cézanne, Matisse, Modigliani, Picasso and Renoir are among some other painters that were displayed in the permanent collection of the museum. Lying in the heart of the Jardin de Tuileries, this building, unlike some other museums, is unique in its ability to give the visitor space to breath and move while they explore its incredible collection.
Happy strolling the Parisian Museums fellas!
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© 2019 Akshay Kumar