Paris, the City of Light, isn’t just famous for its magnificent architecture, high-end fashion, and exquisite cuisine; it’s also a haven for art and history lovers. With countless museums, from renowned names like the Louvre to lesser-known ‘hidden gems,’ Paris always offers something new to discover. Parisians often visit museums, especially on special occasions like the first Sunday of the month, European Heritage Days, or Museum Night.
But you don’t have to wait for those specific dates to enjoy free art in Paris. The city boasts numerous museums offering free admission year-round, providing a fantastic opportunity to explore culture and history without breaking the bank. Join Discovery To Wonders as we explore the top 10 free museums in Paris you shouldn’t miss, helping you experience the city like a true local!
1. Musée Carnavalet – Histoire de Paris: Discover the History of Paris
When visiting a new city, what’s the first thing you want to learn about? For Paris, a city with a long and rich history, exploring its past is a must. The Musée Carnavalet – Histoire de Paris (Carnavalet Museum – History of Paris) is the perfect starting point. As one of the largest museums in France with over 625,000 works, Carnavalet offers a comprehensive look at the history of Paris from prehistoric times to the present day.
As the city’s oldest museum, opened to the public in 1880, it’s located in the vibrant Marais district, often compared to the “Soho” of Paris. Here, you’ll admire impressive collections, from archaeological artifacts to artworks, furniture, and historical documents, all telling fascinating stories about Paris’s past.
Address: 23 rue Sévigné 75003 Paris
Getting there: Metro 1 Saint-Paul / Metro 5 Breguet-Sabin / Metro 8 Chemin Vert
Opening hours: Tuesday – Sunday, 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM (Closed on Jan 1st, May 1st, Dec 25th)
2. Maison de Victor Hugo: Step into the World of the Great Writer
Located near Musée Carnavalet, the Maison de Victor Hugo (Victor Hugo’s House) is another free “museum” you can explore. It’s not just a museum but the actual apartment where Victor Hugo lived in Paris. He rented this apartment and lived here from 1832 to 1848. During this time, he wrote famous works such as Ruy Blas, Les Voix intérieures, and the early parts of Les Misérables.
During your visit, you’ll get a sense of Victor Hugo’s daily life through furniture, artworks, personal items, and precious manuscripts. The Maison de Victor Hugo offers profound insight into the life and career of one of France’s greatest writers.
Address: 6 place des Vosges 75004 Paris
Getting there: Metro 1 Saint-Paul / Metro 1, 5, 8 Bastille / Metro 8 Chemin Vert
Opening hours: Tuesday – Sunday, 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM (Closed on public holidays)
3. Musée de Parfum Fragonard: Explore the Art of Perfumery
Perfume bottles and vintage equipment displayed at Musée de Parfum Fragonard
The Musée de Parfum Fragonard (Fragonard Perfume Museum) not only offers free admission but also provides free guided tours lasting about 30-45 minutes in various languages, a rarity in Paris. During the tour, you’ll learn about the history of perfume, the process of perfume making past and present, and test your sense of smell by trying to distinguish different scents.
Visiting France, the “land of perfume,” makes learning about this treasure a fascinating experience. The Fragonard Museum offers an engaging look into the world of perfumery, from raw materials to the finished product, helping you better understand the significant role of perfume in French culture.
Address: 3-5, square de l’Opéra Louis Jouvet, 75009 Paris
Getting there: Metro 3, 7, 8 Opéra
Opening hours: Monday – Saturday, 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM
4. Le Petit Palais: Admire Stunning Architecture and Art
Exterior view of Le Petit Palais museum in Paris with its ornate golden gate
With its impressive facade and striking golden gate, Le Petit Palais (Small Palace) is an attractive destination for visitors. Located in the 8th arrondissement, opposite the Grand Palais, the Petit Palais was built for the Paris Exposition of 1900 and now serves as the Museum of Fine Arts (Musée des Beaux-Arts). Here, you can explore a collection of paintings and sculptures acquired by the City of Paris, a pre-modern art collection bequeathed by Auguste and Eugène Dutuit in 1902, along with many other annual contributions.
The Petit Palais is also known for its interesting exhibitions. The museum’s stunning architecture, along with its spacious courtyard, creates an ideal space for enjoying art and relaxing.
Address: Avenue Winston Churchill, 75008 Paris
Getting there: Metro 1 Champs-Élysées – Clemenceau, Metro 13 and 8 Invalides, RER C Invalides
Opening hours: Tuesday – Sunday, 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
5. Musée de la Vie Romantique: A Romantic Oasis in the Heart of Paris
The Musée de la Vie Romantique (Museum of Romantic Life) is a secret spot cherished by Parisians. Tucked away in a small alley in the 9th arrondissement, this museum offers a peaceful and romantic atmosphere, a stark contrast to the city’s hustle and bustle.
The museum displays artworks and objects related to the Romantic period, including paintings, sculptures, furniture, and books. A special feature of the Musée de la Vie Romantique is its charming café situated in the museum’s garden. On weekends, this café is an ideal spot to enjoy a cup of coffee and immerse yourself in the romantic ambiance.
Address: 16 Rue Chaptal, 75009 Paris
Getting there: Metro 12 Saint-Georges / Metro 2, 12 Pigalle / Metro 2 Blanche
Opening hours: Tuesday – Sunday, 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
6. Musée d’Art Moderne de Paris: Discover Modern and Contemporary Art
Musée d’Art Moderne de Paris, one of the largest modern and contemporary art museums in France
Located near the Eiffel Tower, alongside the Seine River, the Musée d’Art Moderne de Paris (Paris Museum of Modern Art) is a palace representative of 1930s architecture. With over 15,000 works from the 20th century to the present, it is one of the largest modern and contemporary art museums in France.
The permanent collections feature renowned works by important artists in art history such as Picasso, Dufy, Modigliani, Derain, Picabia, Chagall… Besides the artworks, the stunning architecture and the spacious courtyard, where you can enjoy one of the best views of the Eiffel Tower in Paris, are also highlights of the museum.
Address: 11 avenue du Président Wilson
Getting there: Metro 9 Alma-Marceau
Opening hours: Tuesday – Sunday, 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
7. Musée de la Préfecture de Police: Unveil the Secrets of the Paris Police Force
When visiting Paris, you probably wouldn’t think of stopping by local administrative offices. But could visiting a police station be interesting? The answer is absolutely yes when you visit the Musée de la Préfecture de Police (Museum of the Police Prefecture). Located within the police station serving the 5th and 6th arrondissements, this hidden museum is situated on the 3rd floor of an actual police station. To enter, you need to ask the police officers and pass through two security doors, just like an ordinary citizen.
The Police Museum was founded by Louis Lépine in 1909 with pieces collected for the 1900 Universal Exhibition. The museum’s collections have been expanded through regular acquisitions and donations. Here, you’ll have the chance to explore the history of the Paris police force, from famous cases to the tools and investigation methods used throughout different periods.
Address: 4, rue de la montagne Sainte-Geneviève 75005 Paris
Getting there: Metro 10 Maubert-Mutualité
Opening hours: Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday 9:30 AM – 5:00 PM / Thursday 9:30 AM – 7:00 PM / First and third Saturday of the month 10:30 AM – 5:30 PM
Note: Booking is recommended before visiting.
8. Musée National de la Légion d’Honneur et des Ordres de Chevalerie: Learn About Orders of Merit and Chivalry
Located right next to the Musée d’Orsay, the Musée National de la Légion d’Honneur et des Ordres de Chevalerie (National Museum of the Legion of Honor and Orders of Chivalry) is a French national museum displaying Orders of Merit and Chivalry.
Since 1804, the building has been known as the Palais de la Légion d’Honneur (Palace of the Legion of Honor) and is dedicated to France’s highest honorees. The current museum was built between 1922 and 1925 on the site of the former stables of the Hôtel de Salm, overlooking the forecourt of the Musée d’Orsay. Here, you can learn about the history of French titles, medals, and other knightly honors from 1789 to the present day. It is the only museum in France dedicated solely to phaleristics (the study of orders, decorations, and medals).
Address: 2 rue de la Légion d’honneur 75007 Paris
Getting there: Metro 12 Solférino / RER C Musée d’Orsay
Opening hours: Wednesday – Sunday, 1:00 PM – 6:00 PM
9. Musée Cognacq-Jay: Admire an 18th-Century Art Collection
Housed in the Hôtel Donon in the 3rd arrondissement, the Musée Cognacq-Jay presents the exceptional 18th-century art collection of Ernest Cognacq and his wife Marie-Louise Jaÿ, founders of the La Samaritaine department store. Upon his death in 1928, Ernest Cognacq bequeathed approximately 1200 works of fine and decorative art to the City of Paris.
The collection includes paintings, sculptures, furniture, and other decorative artworks, offering a deep insight into the life and culture of the French elite during the 18th century.
Address: 8 Rue Elzevir, 75003 Paris
Getting there: Metro 1 Saint-Paul / Metro 8 Chemin-Vert / Metro 11 Rambuteau
Opening hours: Tuesday – Sunday, 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
10. Maison de Balzac: Explore the Literary World of Honoré de Balzac
Tucked away on the slopes of Passy, the Maison de Balzac (Balzac’s House) is the only one of novelist Honoré de Balzac’s Parisian residences still standing today. It was here that Balzac edited, from 1840 to 1847, the entirety of La Comédie Humaine (The Human Comedy).
Here, you can learn more about Balzac through portraits, characters, paintings, engravings, drawings, and his original manuscripts. This modest house is also famous for its stunning view of the Eiffel Tower from the garden.
Address: 47 rue Raynouard 75016 Paris
Getting there: Metro 6, 9 La Muette / RER C Boulainvilliers / RER C Avenue du Président Kennedy Maison de Radio France
Opening hours: Tuesday – Sunday, 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM (Closed on public holidays)
Conclusion
Paris is not only a glamorous city but also an invaluable treasure trove of culture and history. With the list of 10 free museums just introduced by Discovery To Wonders, you can fully explore different facets of Paris without spending a fortune. Plan your trip and enjoy the unique artistic and cultural experiences that Paris offers. Are you ready to discover Paris’s ‘hidden gems’?