Museums in France - Attractions

Incredible art, tons of tourists

The Château which today houses the National Museum of the Renaissance was built between 1538 and 1555 as commanded by Anne de Montmorency, an extremely wealthy and influential advisor to François the First, king of France, and Grandmaster of the King's estate and army. Today, as well as offering the opportunity to observe this impressive example of 16th century architecture, the museum displays collections of artistic works including paintings, sculpture, textiles, furniture, and metalwork. Visitors can also peruse the bookshop, stroll through the museum's park, or enjoy organ concerts offered at 3 p.m. and 4 p.m. each Saturday afternoon. Concerts and entrance to the museum, park, and store are free of charge, but there is a fee for guided tours. The museum, park and store close half an hour to one hour earlier during winter, refer to the website before planning a visit.

Possibly the most famous painting in the world, Da Vinci’s “Mona Lisa” is the centre piece of France’s most celebrated museum. Established in the late 18th century (just 4 years after the Eiffel Tower) the Louvre has a wide range of art collections to please the casual visitor or to truly inspire the art students of the world. The most visited art gallery in France certainly, and possibly the world. Well worth a visit.

Be it scientific, cultural or educational, this 350-year-old museum has something for everyone! Located in the heart of the Jardin des Plantes botanical gardens, it has dinosaur and whale skeletons, a stuffed rhinoceros dated from Louis XVI's reign, minerals and giant crystals, numerous insects, and everything you could ever want to know about the history of the botanical world. The museums centerpiece, the Grande Galerie de l'Evolution, is a mine of information about the evolution of different species, the relationship between man and nature and problems related to over-population and pollution. All this at the rate of EUR6 for adults.

Don't waste time waiting in queues - take a Louvre Museum prioritized guided tour. Make a booking and jump the queue to make the most of your limited time inside the world's largest museum. After your guided tour, you can stay on if you want to and continue exploring the Louvre Museum at your leisure.

Your prioritized guided tour of Paris' Louvre Museum focuses on three world-famous works: the Venus de Milo, the Victory of Samothrace and Leonardo da Vinci's Mona Lisa, painted at the beginning of the 16th century.

The Louvre Museum has always been popular but it's now even more of a drawcard since the phenomenal success of Dan Brown's Da Vinci Code. By booking your place on this tour you can skip the queues and see the famous Mona Lisa without the hassles.

Musee de Cluny is a museum. You can find some great collections of Gallo-Roman ruins and Medieval arts, including costumes, paintings and sculptures. Located near notre Dame. You will need at least 2 hours to see everything when visiting if not more.

This museum started off as an abbey house built in the 1300’s. By the 1500’s others lived here including Mary Tudor after her husband died. The building was turned into a museum in the late 1800’s. This is a great place to see about 5,000 square meters of medieval style gardens on the property, and tapestries, sculptures and other furnishings from the time inside the museum.

Another thing here as mentioned is the remains from Gallo-Roman times. This building was originally built on the site of a Gallo-Roman bath, more than two thousand years old. Specifically called Thermes de Cluny, the remains are open to the public on the tours.

This museum is great because you can take guided tours if you want, or your entrance fee includes the audio self guided tour. On this you can go from room to room as you want by looking at the map and marking your biggest interests for what you want to see. Its also a good stop for families because all under age 18 are free admission! How often is that going to happen on your vacation?

The museum is located on the Paul Painlevé square, on several bus routes and near a metro station also. If you are driving, there is parking available.

Wonderful museum to visit. The art displayed in this museum are unreal. This vast museum shows Matisse's works from his more traditional early days to the end of his career.

Here you can read the tale told by the Bayeux Tapestry - The story of William the Conqueror and Harold, Earl of Wessex, the men who led the Norman and Saxon armies in 1066. William's defeat of Harold at the Battle of Hastings ensured the success of the Norman invasion of England.

In March 2009 I visited Dead Man's Corner Museum on the WWII Beyond Band of Brothers tour. At the museum you will learn how the 101st Airborne dropped behind enemy lines at Utah Beach. Their orders were to take the city of Carentan. The German's were headquartered in the house which is now Dead Man's Corner Museum, before paratroopers captured it. As the first American tank came up the only open road past Dead Man's and turned the corner to Carentan the German rockets struck it turret. The driver was killed and hung on the turret for days as the battle raged. The house later became known as Dead Man's Corner and the road to Carentan as Purple Heart Lane.

You can read my full article about my WWII Beyond the Band of Brothers tour at www.cruiseandtravelplanner.com. If you'd like to book a tour on Beyond Band of Brothers email me at sailawaytravel@yahoo.com

This is the city's premier modern art center. You'll find all sorts of zany and creative pieces that define this genre. From the Center's industrial pipe-based walls, to its giant glass-tube walkways, to its giant plastic rhino, this place has something to delight almost everyone. Unlike the other Parisian museums, you are allowed to get up to close to much of the artwork. This place is a fun way to enjoy an afternoon regardless of whether you like art or not.

Louis Pasteur was a scientist that was born here in Dole. His birth home is now made a museum, and is one of Dole’s main attractions. In the museum, you can read and see many of the scientific inventions he achieved in his life.

The Musée d'Art Contemporain (Museum of Modern Art) was housed in the Palais des Beaux-Arts for 10 years, and in 1995 was transferred to the heart of the Cité Internationale. The museum has a large exhibition space spread over three floors; showcasing paintings, sculptures, films, photos or videos by some of the most famous modern artists. Certain works of art were created directly inside the building. This museum has some colossal pieces and more installations than any other European museum. Every year the museum holds a modern music event known as "Musique en Scène" as well as the all important Biennale d'Art Contemporain (Biennial of Modern Art). The venue also houses a café, a book store and a documentation center for those who are interested in research. The space can also be used to host various business events. Check website for more details.

The Provins Town and District Museum displays the rich cultural heritage of the Provins district. You can find many archaeological artefacts, medieval religious artworks and freemason's regalia right up to the 19th century. The 12th century building is the oldest in the town and is actually a house that belongs to the Romanesque era. You can visit Tour César (César's Tower) and Grange aux Dîmes (Tithe Barn), which are within a short distance from the museum. The timings change seasonally, check the website before visiting.

Situated in the district of the Etats Unis, this museum presents a new concept since it takes the town as its central theme. The Musée Urbain Tony Garnier takes its name from a famous Lyon architect who has contributed a great deal to the construction of the town in general and of this district in particular. This museum presents his work and his urban ideal. The museum is also a tribute to the district built by Tony Garnier into which he moved, thanks to the reconstruction of an apartment typical of the thirties including period furniture donated by the tenants. Do not miss the 24 frescoes, a real feature of the museum, representing life in Lyon. This museum will give visitors a greater insight into the town of Lyon and especially this rather unique district. Hours are seasonal check website for more details.

I stumbled upon an overview of this gem among the much larger write-ups of Paris' many more famous museums. It sounded interesting, so I included it on my trip itinerary, but with the expectation that it was the attraction I would forego if my jet lag was too bad. I'm so glad I slept on the red-eye over and made it to this museum!

Musee des Arts Decoratifs was a true highlight of my trip to Paris. Following the suggested route through the museum takes a bit of attention to detail as it's not very well marked, but the reward is a fascinating journey through home decor from antiquity to the present and even the future. Photographs are permitted (without flash), and I left the museum with an array of pictures from which to draw inspiration for future furniture purchases. I could have easily spent days exploring all these fabulous galleries had to offer!

Of note, the museum is open late on Thursday nights and does accept the Paris Museum Pass. A free audio guide (in English, among other languages) was included with entry.