For The Art Lovers: 5 Best Places In Paris Besides The Louvre

Paris’ artistic grandeur extends way beyond the marvellous Louvre Museum. The city is a goldmine of excellent artworks with several galleries and museums that captivate art lovers. From the cutting-edge modernity of Centre Pompidou to the Impressionist masterpieces at Musée d’Orsay, each of these locations offers a unique tapestry of artistic expression. Join us on our journey into the creative landscape of Paris via the lens of contemporary art, sculptural elegance, and immersive digital experiences, uncovering the lesser-known but no less fascinating cultural hubs.

Centre Pompidou

Opened in 1977, the Centre Pompidou, often referred to as Beauborg by the locals, was marked by a novel (and controversial) museum design featuring industrial pipes and open glass views of Paris. More than 40 years later, it has become the undisputed pioneer of Paris’s contemporary art scene. The massive 1,00,000-piece collection dates back to 1905 and includes everything from video installations and Picassos. It is generally advisable to reserve your tickets in advance for a specific time slot. Furthermore, entry to the permanent collection and children’s gallery is free if you’re in town on the first Sunday of the month.

Location: Place Georges-Pompidou, 75004 Paris

Timings: 11 am to 9 pm (Closed on Tuesdays) 

Entry fee: Starts from INR 950 per person

Musée d’Orsay

What started as a train station was converted into a museum in 1986 to store one of the largest collections of Impressionist and Post-Impressionist art worldwide. Here, one can find works by Monet, Renoir, Van Gogh and Toulouse-Lautrec, along with a variety of 19th-century sculpture and Art Nouveau decorative arts. In fact, this place ranked fifteenth on the list of popular art museums in 2020. Once you are done browsing, you can head over to the museum’s cafe and treat yourself to a cup of coffee.

Location: Esplanade Valéry Giscard d'Estaing, 75007 Paris

Timings: 9:30 am to 6 pm (Closed on Mondays)

Entry fee: Starts from INR 1076 per person

Galeries Nationales du Grand Palais

The Grand Palais is one of Paris’s most iconic buildings. The building was constructed in 1900 for the Universal Exhibition. The building’s glass roof is its signature feature, but the Grand Palais is so enormous that it took around ten years from 1994 to fully restore the building while the exhibitions continued in other sections. Here, you’ll witness major international exhibitions (previous shows have included Turner, Monet, Chagall and Gaugin) and museum space devoted to fine arts, photography and graphic design. Stepping into the huge entrance hall is sure to leave you stunned.

Location: 3 Av. du Général Eisenhower, 75008 Paris

Timings: Temporarily closed since March 2021: it will reopen its doors during the Paris 2024 Olympics

Musée Picasso Paris

The Musée Picasso houses the works of legendary artist Pablo Picasso. The museum is home to an extensive collection that covers Picasso’s entire career, from his formative years to his innovative later works, depicting his proficiency in different styles and mediums. You can trace Picasso’s artistic development and witness his decades-long creative experimentation. The museum’s carefully chosen collection includes paintings, sculptures, drawings, and personal items, offering an insight into the artist’s creative process and influences. This is a unique opportunity to understand Picasso’s deep impact on the art world and his everlasting legacy.

Location: 5 Rue de Thorigny, 75003 Paris

Timings: 10:30 am to 6 pm on weekdays and 9:30 am to 6 pm on weekends (Closed on Mondays)

Entry fee: INR 1256 per person

Foundation Louis Vuitton

The Foundation Louis Vuitton, which is managed by LVMH chairman Bernard Arnault, is one of the few privately funded and owned art galleries in Paris. It made a huge impression when it opened its doors to the public in 2014. The building, created by well-known Canadian-American architect Frank Gehry, resembles a magical sailboat floating on an artificial lake in the Bois de Boulogne. Despite being in the far reaches of the 16th Arrondissement, the museum is always busy because of its spectacular architecture and popular displays.

Location: 8 Av. du Mahatma Gandhi, 75116 Paris

Timings: 11 am to 8 pm (Closed on Tuesdays)

Entry fee: Starts from INR 900 onwards per person

Getting there

India offers direct flights to Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG) in Paris from cities like Delhi and Mumbai. While Jet Airways and Air France offer nonstop flights between Mumbai and Paris, Air India offers direct flights from Delhi to Paris. The average flight time from India to Paris is roughly nine hours and thirty minutes for nonstop flights. India is located 6,500 kilometres away from Paris.