Paris was the toast of the art world and the ultimate destination for the aspiring artist who sought to learn more about art, refine his technique, or mingle with the art society and visit the city’s emblematic art galleries and museums. Throughout the years, Paris had built the world’s most well-known art galleries and museums, continuing their reputation as the City of Art. Today, the capital of France is known for many things other than art as well, yet it is still one of the most important centers of contemporary art as well as being the home to history’s most iconic artwork.
We rounded up some of the most notable museums in Paris for your reading and viewing pleasure:
- Louvre
The Louvre is the most famous art museum in the world. Also called the Louvre Museum, the Louvre houses more than 35,000 objects dating from prehistory to the 21st Century. It is located on the Right Bank of the Seine in Paris’ first arrondissement. The museum itself is housed in the Louvre Palace, which went from being a fortress to a main residence for the the Kings of France. When King Louis XIV opted for the Palace of Versailles as his residence, it mainly began to be a place to display the royal art collection. With its first exhibition showing 537 paintings in 1793, the Louvre’s collection is now divided into eight curatorial departments.
- Modern Art Museum of the City of Paris
Paris’ modern art museum is housed in the Palais de Tokyo, and was established in 1961. Step outside its terrace and meet an incomparable view of the Eiffel Tower. It’s the only museum that showcases all of the 20th to 21st centuries, featuring more than 8,000 artworks from these periods.
- Musée d’Orsay
The Musée d’Orsay, meanwhile, is located on the Left Bank of the Seine, right across from the Louvre. It calls the former Gare d’Orsay, an old railway train station, its home. It is an expressionist and impressionist art treasury, housing works by Monet, Manet, Degas, Cezanne, and Van Gogh.
- La Maison Rouge
Art collector Antoine de Galbert established his contemporary art foundation La Maison Rouge in 2004. This museum showcases private art collections in an old factory building, where it covers 2,000 square meters. The white space, contrary to its name, displays an array of temporary contemporary works, experimental displays, and monographic shows.
- Musee du Luxembourg
One of Europe’s oldest museums, the Musee du Luxembourg on the Luxembourg grounds opened in 1750 as the first state-run collection of paintings. It had displayed paintings from artists as varied as Modigliani, Chagall, and Fragonard. Every year, it hosts a number of temporary exhibits.
Paris will always be in the hearts of art lovers from all over the world. It’s not only the city of love and art, but a city where one can experience the finest things in life.
Museums, art galleries, and must-visit attractions are some of the destinations and cultural landmarks you can visit when you book with online travel agency JustFly, who brought you this review. Learn more about this travel company by reading the JustFly reviews online. Enjoy your travelling!
