Don’t Skip These Incredibly Underrated Museums in Paris

Paris is one of the most-visited cities in the world—for countless reasons. But the sheer number of unforgettable museums and galleries there certainly has something to do with it. France’s capital city is home to hundreds of such places, though most first-time visitors prioritize the marquee names: Musées du Louvre, d’Orsay, l’Orangerie, or perhaps Centre Pompidou. All of these warrant at least one visit, if not more, but repeat travelers should also make time for some of these smaller, but certainly no less awe-inspiring, museums dotted around the city.

While it’s hardly an undiscovered gem—it welcomes 700,000 visitors annually—Musée Rodin is definitely underrated considering how beautiful both the museum itself and its grounds are. The building, the Hôtel Biron, dates back to the 1730s and has housed many of Auguste Rodin’s most famous works since 1919, including The Kiss and The Thinker. The picturesque grounds include a small lake with numerous sculptures scattered throughout, as well as a cafe. Combine a visit here with a visit to the nearby Hôtel des Invalides, which is home to Napoleon’s tomb and a museum focusing on the military history of the French republic.

A must-visit for all lovers of Paris, Musée Carnavalet is the museum dedicated to the history of the city itself, making it the perfect place to learn more about the history of a city that has witnessed so much. The collection covers everything from antiquity to the present day, and includes icons like the original ‘Le Chat Noir’ cabaret sign, shoes believed to have belonged to Marie Antoinette, and an entire Georges Fouquet jewelry store reconstructed inside the museum. Best of all, it’s free, making it the perfect stop for the end of your trip, when your purse is feeling a little light. Be sure to take a stroll through the immaculately manicured gardens before taking the afternoon to explore Le Marais, including the nearby Place des Vosges.

Another museum for lovers of all things historical, Musée de Cluny is a museum in the Latin Quarter dedicated to medieval art. The most famous piece in its collection is the series of six 15th-century tapestries colloquially known as The Lady and the Unicorn, but the building itself is also a wonderful example of medieval French architecture. In addition, it also serves as the site of some of the largest ancient Roman baths in northern Europe. Devote a day to discovering more of the Latin Quarter, including the Panthéon, the Boulevard Saint-Germain, the Jardin des Plantes and, yes, Emily in Paris’ apartment.

This museum, located on Boulevard Haussman, is based around the artworks collected by famous art collector Édouard André and his wife, the painter Nélie Jacquemart. The collection includes works by Botticelli, Donatello, and even Rembrandt, and the state rooms and apartments are stunning. My recommendation for this museum is slightly unorthodox; while a visit to the museum itself is worthwhile, the real highlight is the gorgeous tea rooms, where I enjoyed the best piece of chocolate cake I’ve ever had. Wander down after climbing to the top of the Arc de Triomphe and treat yourself.

The Palais de Tokyo actually houses two museums. The western wing, owned and operated by the French state, hosts temporary exhibitions of contemporary art, while the eastern wing houses the city-run Musée d'Art Moderne de Paris. The collection includes artworks from countless giants of modern art, including Picasso, Braque, Matisse, Modigliani, and Duchamp, with a particular high point being rooms dedicated to large murals by Raoul Dufy and Henri Matisse. Plan ahead and you can enjoy lunch at Bambini, a stylish restaurant housed within the Palais that offers delicious Italian food and cocktails. Cap off your afternoon with a stroll, or scenic boat ride, along the Seine.

Located on the Place de la Concorde right in the heart of Paris, the Hôtel de la Marine served as the home of the Naval Ministry until 2015. That’s when it was restored and turned into a museum for the apartments of King Louis XIV’s Intendant of the Garde-Meuble, or the man responsible for overseeing all furniture and decorative items found in royal residences. As a result, the museum contains some of the most impressive 18th-century decor outside of the Palace of Versailles, making it a perfect alternative for those not wanting to sacrifice an entire day to visiting the chateau. Be sure to buy the audio guide—it does a fantastic job of giving you a taste of what life was like for the people who would have walked the (incredibly ornate) halls. Thanks to its central location, a visit to this museum can be slotted in after a visit to Musée de l’Orangerie, or combined with a quiet afternoon in the Jardin des Tuileries or a busier afternoon on the Champs-Élysées. For the complete historical Paris experience, enjoy lunch at nearby Maxim’s, opened in 1893.

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