The romantic city of Paris is proud to house more than 140 Paris museums (musées-pronounced as meu-zay), offering different themes and varieties. Think of your interests and you'll likely to find a ‘musée’ on those subjects in Paris. On your city tour you can not think of visiting all of them but I recommend a few of them which you must visit while you stay in Paris.
The Louvre
Originally built as a royal fortress in the 12th century, the Louvre is the most talked about museum in the world. Even one week’s time is not sufficient to view the daunting collection of masterpieces and antiquities in this huge museum. If you do not get to visit the Louvre, then you are likely to come back again to view the creations like the Venus de Milo and the Mona Lisa, the star attractions here.
The Musée d'Orsay
Another must-to-visit museum in Paris! After falling into a state of disuse as a railroad station, the Beaux-Arts style Gare d'Orsay was renovated to become the amazing new Musée d'Orsay. It presents a major reorganization of most art collections of Paris, ranging from the 1848-1914 period. Mostly known for Impressionist masterpieces from Degas, Van Gogh, Monet and Renoir, you can also find Rodin sculptures along with examples of photography, architecture and literature of the nineteenth century.
rnWhile several Paris museums are dedicated to the individual artists, like Auguste Rodin, Eugene Delacroix, Pablo Picasso and Salvador Dali, there are museums based on different themes also. For example the Musée des Arts et Métiers is known to exhibit the mechanical way of certain things.
If accompanied by kids, then take them to the Palais de la Découverte which shows the scientific demonstrations and exhibits. The Musée de la Marine is a good place for them who seek pleasure in the ocean and sea-faring. For the military historians, there's the Musée de l'Armée and the events of the World War II in Europe can be retraced at the Memorial of the Liberation of Paris.
The lesser known museum in Paris
Paris also has many lesser known museums too. As compiled by Adam Roberts, the editor of the website Invisible Paris, here is a list of few such museums.
• Musée d’Histoire de la Médecine - Visit this museum to get an insight into the history of medical treatments in France.
• Musée des Arts Forains – Displaying a collection of 19th century travelling fairground equipments, this museum is a privately owned establishment.
• Musée de la Préfecture de Police - Visit this museum to know the history of policing in Paris. It is a real joy to see this through many artifacts displayed, related to some famous crimes stories.
• Maison d’Auguste Comte - A visit to this place and you know how middle-class lived in Paris during the 19th century.
• Musée de l’Erotisme - No entry for below 18 as the theme here includes photos and artifacts relating to famous brothels of Paris along with displays of historical fertility symbols and temporary art installations.
Planning a tour to Paris Museums
To visit all the important museums in Paris you require at least two week’s time. If you can afford then plan a separate tour to visit and observe these museums minutely. Select from the wide range of Paris hotels that suits best to your taste and pocket. While finalizing the hotels on the basis of cost, consider the location and accessibility to other museums also. To know more about accommodation and their facilities, read some Paris hotel reviews, submitted by regular travelers to the city.