The Best Museums in Paris

Musée d’Orsay: A breathtaking collection of pre-, post-, and just plain old Impressionists deck the walls of this museum (see above), including Renoir, Van Gogh, Manet, Degas, Gauguin, and a slew of other masters of 19th-century art. Not only is the artwork incredible, but the building itself, a transformed Belle Epoque train station, is a delight.

Musée du Louvre: One of the world’s largest and best museums, this colossus of culture has its share of masterpieces, including the Mona Lisa, the Venus de Milo, and Winged Victory. But aside from these three famous ladies are mountains of other incredible works to see, from ancient Egyptian sculptures to Renaissance masters to stunning gems and jewelry.

Musée du Quai Branly: This ultramodern museum gives center stage to artworks that are often overlooked: those of traditional societies in Africa, Asia, and even North America. You’ll find everything from a shaman’s cloak from Papua New Guinea to Australian aboriginal art as well as delicate carvings, intricate weavings, and other masterpieces.

Musée Jacquemart-André: Set in a gorgeous 19th-century mansion, this small museum offers a chance to see exquisite art and how the other half lived. Highlights include a beautiful winter garden, a collection of Italian Renaissance masters, and a magnificent tearoom with a Tiepolo on the ceiling.