Art Galleries

Musée du Louvre

It goes without saying that the Louvre contains one of the world’s most important art collections. It’s housed in a beautiful palatial complex of incredible proportions, which has been adapted and extended over the centuries by various rulers of France from Phillipe Auguste in the 12th century to Louis XIV and Napoleon. Late 20th century renovations saw the addition of a striking glass pyramid as its new main entrance, which stands in stark contrast to the Renaissance palace surrounding it. The exhibits range from Roman, Egyptian and oriental antiquities to an overwhelmingly large and prestigious collection of painting from the Middle Ages to the 19th century. Leonardo’s Mona Lisa (known as La Joconde in French) draws the biggest crowds, and masterpieces by Giotto, Rembrandt, Poussin, Delacroix, Boticelli and Tintoretto are other popular favourites.

Musée d’Orsay

The city’s most important collection of pre-modern art from the mid19th to early 20th century is held at the Musée d’Orsay on the banks of the Seine opposite the Louvre and Tuileries Gardens. The highlights are the Impressionist and Post-Impressionist works – from Degas, Renoir and Monet to Cézanne, Van Gogh, Gaugin and Toulouse-Lautrec.

Musée National d’Art Moderne

This fabulous modern art gallery is housed in the Centre Pompidou, whose controversial ‘inside-out’ design caused a scandal when it was opened in the 1970s. There’s a chaotic confusion of escalators, lifts, ducts and steel framing on the outside of the building, leaving vast, clear, flexible spaces on the inside for exhibitions and events. Some of the most famous artists of the 20th century are represented in the collection, such as Picasso, Matisse, Miró, Warhol and Yves Klein.

Musée Picasso

The Musée Picasso holds the largest collection of the artist’s work anywhere in the world. The exhibits include photographs, letters and personal belongings as well as paintings, giving a great insight into his life, work and inspiration.

Musée Rodin

Housed in the magnificent 18th century mansion occupied by the celebrated sculptor himself until his death, the Musée Rodin contains some exquisite works such as The Kiss, The Thinker, Romeo and Juliet and The Cathedral.