When planning an itinerary to Paris, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. People have lots of opinions on where you should go, where you should want to go, and where you should avoid - as do we, of course. And museums can be a hotly debated topic - is the Louvre too big to be worth it, or is it a once in a lifetime experience? How about the Versailles Palace? Is the Orangerie a nicer overall experience than the Orsay? Everyone will have an answer for you, and chances are, those answers will compete with one another.
As usual, we want to remind you that this is your trip, and you should do it your way. If you’re an art lover, that’s fantastic. Hit up all the major museums, and then some. We love it all!
However, if you’re not an art lover, there’s no shame in it. You just have to know where to look to find something else that lights you up. That’s where we come in. We’ll provide you with a little more information about museums in Paris, as well as several recommendations for non-art museums in this city, and all of this without compromising the quality of the experience (because not all museums are created equal)
How Many Museums Are There In Paris
Many, many, many! There are well over a hundred museums in Paris currently open for businesses. These museums range from tiny museums like the Musée du Vin to the biggest ones like the Musée du Louvre. You’ll find some sort of museum in every arrondissement, though not all are worth it. Many travelers only visit a few major museums, but the options across Paris range from niche subjects to art, technology, science, industry and lifestyle.
Call out: Not a museum person, regardless of the subject matter? Not a big deal! Get your history and architecture hit on a tour instead! Our friends over at Badass Tours Paris (yes you read that correctly) will whiz you around the city where you’ll learn and see more in half a day than you would on your own.
Are Paris Museums Not About Art Worth Visiting?
If you have visited Paris before, chances are you’ve whipped out some of the most famous museums that center strictly around art - the Orsay, the Louvre, and the Rodin museum, for example. All are wonderful and all have their place, but after a time, it can be good to branch out a bit. Museums are a great opportunity to learn, interesting for the whole family (much of the time) and often a source of air conditioning in the warmer months (but not always!).
And as an added bonus, many of these museums will land you off the beaten path.
Why Visit Museums In Paris That Are Not About Art?
Not all art is for everyone and for some, visual art such as paintings or statues perhaps don’t speak to you in the same way as a model of the world’s first plane or a description of political resistance. We’re all inspired by different elements of our shared history, and thankfully there is truly something for everyone in Paris. Dont’t let yourself be guilted into impressionism if you just don’t care - there’s probably something that will spark your curiosity around the next corner.
Here are some of the reasons we like to visit non art museums in Paris:
More interactive learning experiences
In general, museums about history, science and technology will be more interactive than art museums and great for families with younger kids.
Less overwhelming than major museums
These museums are often lesser known, less busy, and more mellow than some of the bigger and more popular art museums (here’s looking at you, Louvre!)
Unique and unusual subject matter
They might not have made the list today, but non art museums are great for niche interests - in Paris you’ll find museums of magic, marionettes, the postal system, and other quirky subjects.
Better suited for short itineraries
Often you can get in and out of these museums quicker, which is great if you don’t have a lot of time to spend in the city or if you have a day jam packed with other things to do and see. For example, our full day itinerary of Montmartre included the Musée de Montmartre, a tiny and lovely artist studio. It’s charming, quick, and part of a full day of activities.
The Best Non-Art Museums In Paris
These are some of our favorite museums in Paris that aren’t cenetered around art. There are hundreds of museums in this city, so don’t be dismayed if one you were considering isn’t on this list - follow your heart!
That said, we do recommend you check the opening hours of each museum and book ahead when possible. Often times, museums are closed on Mondays, and occasionally for national holidays. That said, if you get stuck, you’ll always be able to find a great restaurant or coffee shop to regroup around the corner with our interactive map of recommendations. Our guide can geolocate you and direct you, giving you a moment to find your footing.
Our 6 Recommendations for Museums Not About Art in Paris
The Carnavalet Museum
This is perhaps our favorite museum in Paris - and it’s free! The Carnavalet museum is the museum of the history of Paris, and it truly covers everything. You’ll be wowed from the moment you enter the huge ground floor chamber of large, playful wrought-iron signs that once graced Paris’ streets. Our biggest tip is not to skip the top floor, as that’s where all the information about the French Revolution of 1789 is, and thus is an exciting and familiar floor. You can reserve a ticket for a time slot here. Get directions.
The Arts & Métiers Museum
The Musée des Arts & Métiers is a fantastic museum for the whole family. Its focus is arts & technology and the advancement of inventions throughout our history. Inside, you can find interactive exhibits, one of the Statues of Liberty, and you can even see Foucault’s original pendulum that once swung in the Pantheon to prove the earth moves (a replacement now stays in the Pantheon). Get tickets. Get directions.
Caffeinate yourself before your visit at Partisan, a fantastic coffee shop just around the corner. And if you’re looking for other coffee spots, check out our blog on Paris’ best roasters.
The Cluny Museum
Centrally located in the 5th arrondissement in the Cuny la Sorbonne neighborhood, the Musée de Cluny is a great option if you love the middle ages and medieval history. It’s also one of the few sites of preserved Roman architecture - you can even see the ruins of the baths from outside the museum. But what it’s best known for are its tapestries, the Lady and the Unicorn (which you may have seen on the wall of the Gryffindor common room in the first Harry Potter film). There are lots of great small museums in Paris, and this is one of them. Get tickets. Get directions.
If you like antiques, you’re not too far from the Rue de Seine, one of the best antiquing streets in Paris!
The Museum of the Liberation of Paris
The Musée de la Libération de Paris is a museum dedicated to the brave acts of the resistance fighters of World War II in Paris. While it’s located out of the way of the usual tourist path, and honestly out of the way of our off the beaten path, it’s a museum worth visiting if you have an interest in the history of World War II or an interest in how every day people managed to resist in a time of invading fascism. It’s a sobering but inspiring museum. It’s free without reservation, outside of guided visits and possibly occasionally temporary exhibitions. Get directions.
The Paradox Museum
We only recently were invited to discover the Paradox museum thanks to a collaboration over on Paris in My Pocket! And we had a fantastic time playing our way through the various trompes d’oeil and enjoying a sweet treet at the end. This museum is great for anyone, but particularly fun for families. Get tickets. Get directions.
Lunch tip! The Paradox museum is just a few blocks away from On the Bab, one of our favorite Korean street food restaurants in the city. In fact, this area of town is great for a lot of good food choices. For all of our recs (and we have hundreds of vetted, up to date recommendations) check out our guide to Paris - it’s the only one you’ll need.
The Natural History Museum
Located in the Jardin des Plantes, the Natural History museum is huge and has several different sections to visit. Whether you’re interested in botany, zoology, geology or another natural science, you’ll find something here to visit. Again, this is an interesting museum for kids as well, especially the paleontology section. Certain areas might be under construction, so be sure to check what’s open before you visit. Tickets here. Directions here.
The Jardin des Plantes is a fantastic place for a picnic or a stroll in whatever the weather. If you’re the kind of person who prefers to hang outside rather than in, you’ll enjoy these hidden gardens most tourists miss.
Enjoyed this blog? Find our collection here. And if you’re tired of planning and researching your own trip, why not check out our Guide+? The Guide+ not only connects you with the hundreds of recommendations in our Guide, but also gives you access to one audio tour and three full-day itineraries, prepped from breakfast to late night drinks. Why plan when we can do it for you?
