The beautiful entrance to the Musée Jacquemart-André
So many amazing museums in Paris clamor for your attention. The obvious big hitters – such as the Louvre and Musée d’Orsay – always attract a crowd and are definitely worth a visit, especially on a first trip. But for something equally special, albeit more under the radar, we recommend the following five must-see Paris art museums, ideal for dodging the queues and discovering an unexpected slice of the city. Paris Perfect has stylish vacation rentals within easy reach, or if you can’t travel now just read on to enjoy a deep dive into these inspiring cultural hot spots.
The Picture Gallery (left) and the Florentine Gallery (right) at the Musée Jacquemart-André / © Culturespaces – S. LLoyd
Musée Jacquemart-André
Huge Paris museums can be exhausting to navigate, but the more intimate Musée Jacquemart-André proves that good things come in small packages. Far from the maddening crowd at major galleries, this private museum occupies the former home of 19th-century art collectors Édouard André and his wife Nélie Jacquemart and shares the cultural treasures they amassed during their lives. The magnificent Second Empire mansion they built sets the tone, boasting luxurious chandeliers, fabulous furniture, vibrant wall coverings, ornate frescoes and rich tapestries. The plant-dotted Winter Garden and grand staircase are highlights (and Instagram favorites!). The collection is equally stunning, starring paintings from the Italian Renaissance and German and Flemish schools, including works by Uccello, Botticelli, Rembrandt and Canaletto. If you like New York’s Frick Museum, you’ll love this house museum in the 8th arrondissement, which hosts a permanent collection and temporary exhibitions. 158 boulevard Haussmann, 75008
The charming entrance to the Musée de la Vie Romantique (credit)
Musée de la Vie Romantique
With its pretty green shutters and cobbled courtyard, the Musée de la Vie Romantique is one of the must-see museums in Paris. Meaning the Museum of the Romantic Life, this intimate gem is set in the 1830-built house of Dutch-French painter Ary Scheffer, who hosted salons for writers, artists and musicians. The ground floor is devoted to famous French Romantic novelist George Sand, a neighbor who attended regularly, including her paintings, furniture and jewellery spanning the 18th and 19th centuries. On the first floor Scheffer’s paintings are flanked by his contemporaries’ works. Temporary exhibitions celebrate the era’s art and the tranquil garden hosts a tearoom by Rose Bakery, with airy seats outdoors. Find it in Pigalle’s La Nouvelle Athènes neighborhood in the 9th arrondissement below Montmartre hill. Hôtel Scheffer-Renan, 16 rue Chaptal, 75009
The elegant Musée des Arts Décoratifs (credit)
Musée des Arts Décoratifs
One of the Paris museums that often flies under the radar is the Musée des Arts Décoratifs. A private museum founded in 1882, MAD is devoted to the decorative arts. While queues form at the Louvre nearby, this stylish sanctuary draws design hunters and fashionistas. It features couture fashion, jewellery and photography, interior decoration, iconic furniture, cutting-edge craft, textiles, graphic art posters and homewares, all just a skip from the Tuileries Garden. The permanent collection spans eras from the Middle Ages to the present day, with changing thematic exhibitions such as 2021’s Luxes (Luxuries). Museum restaurant Loulou is a showstopper and there’s a gallery shop. Sister site Musée Nissim de Camondo (63 rue de Monceau) in the 8th is a historic house museum of French decorative arts. 107-111 rue de Rivoli, 75001
Explore the Musée Guimet in Paris (credit)
Musée Guimet
Get your Asian art fix at the captivating Musée national des Arts asiatiques – Guimet, known as Musée Guimet. It’s a treasure trove of serene Buddha figures from Afghanistan, spiritual paintings from Tibet, Samurai swords from Japan and intricate Indian fabrics. Established in 1889 by industrialist Émile Guimet, MNAAG presents over 5,000 years of Asian art, artefacts and decorative art. You’ll find historic pieces, sourced from Cambodia, Laos, Vietnam, China and across Asia, alongside more modern objects. The largest European museum dedicated to Asian art, Musée Guimet was renovated in 2000 in a pared back, contemporary style. Allied Paris museums Musée d‘Ennery (59 avenue Foch) and Hôtel d’Heidelbach (19 avenue d’Iéna) are also nearby in the 16th; the latter has a meditative tea pavilion and Japanese garden. 6 place d’Iéna, 75116
The Deer and Wolf Room (Credit: © Sophie Lloyd – Musée de la Chasse et de la Nature)
Musée de la Chasse et de la Nature
Its name sounds strange, but the private Museum of Hunting and Nature is one of the most unforgettable museums in Paris. Set in the neighboring Hôtel de Guénégaud and Hôtel de Mongelas buildings, the quirky, inventive Musée de la Chasse et da la Nature explores the relationship between humans, animals and the natural environment through the ages. Eclectic permanent displays in this ornate house museum include taxidermied creatures, armor, weapons, paintings, sculptures, ceramics, furniture, tapestries and objects. Temporary exhibitions animate the atmospheric space, with contemporary artists and stylists intervening amid the more traditional specimens and wood-paneled rooms. Spanning video, photography, painting, craft and installations, these shows keep this kooky, ornate destination in the 3rd arrondissement bang up to date. It reopened in spring 2021 following an extensive renovation. 62 rue des Archives, 75003
