There will certainly be a few on our list that you have heard of, especially if you are planning to visit some of the biggest attractions in France – and why wouldn’t you? There may also be a few new to you, but you deserve a moment of your time if you want to experience authentic French art & culture.
France is a country with just oozing culture. With heritage so vast, there are many museums you can discover, which will delve into the long history of the largest country in the European Union.
There will be no chance to get bored in France, with everything that is on offer here, and no matter what your hobbies are, France can always offer you something. Still, for now, art and museum lovers can rejoice because we will break down the top places to marvel at artwork in France, as well as the best museums not to miss out on.
Be sure to ask your local ‘Destination Expert’ for their favorite museum recommendations if you want a few more local tips and hidden gems because that is what they are there for, but in the meantime, here are some popular locations you cannot overlook during a trip to France.
Best places for art lovers
The Louvre:
The most prominent art and history museum of its kind in the world is, of course, The Louvre, which is a stunning piece of artwork in its own right, and stands as a prominent landmark within the city of Paris.
This is one of the most visited attractions in the country and features over 38,000 objects that can be explored, including some famous art pieces like The Mona Lisa, Michaelangelo’s Slaves, Death of the Virgin & the Venus de Milo, all of which are offer a unique experience. It is not every day you can walk into a museum and witness some of the best masterpieces on earth, and for this reason, this is, of course, our top recommendation in France.
Centre Pompidou:
This architectural marvel is a place you absolutely must stop by when in Paris, which features the Museum of Modern Art- the largest museum for modern art in Europe, as well as IRCAM, which is a center for music and acoustic research. This building has a stand-out design that captures every visitor’s attention and is the first example of an ‘inside outbuilding, which has to be seen to be believed.
Musee des Beaux-Arts de Rouen:
This art museum was set up in 1801 by Napoleon Bonaparte, located in Rouen, in Northwest France. It features many exhibitions, including various paintings, sculptures, and drawings. The collection is so impressive that you can easily spend the whole day there taking it all in. There are many themes and areas to uncover, such as Impressionism, The Sculpture Garden, Rennaissance, The Drawing Room, Still Lifes, and Romanticism, to name but a few.
Musee Eugene Boudin:
This fabulous museum, named after the impressionist artists Eugene Boudin, is situated in the charming town of Honfleur, on the Normandy coast. It strikes a delicate balance between being a museum and an impressive art gallery that features some marvelous pieces of artwork created by the likes of Monet, Dubourg, Gernez, and Dufy. The central theme of this museum is that it showcases work by these artists who came to Honfleur when impressionism was new and paid homage to every one of them through their exhibitions.
Musee d'Orsay:
The Musee d’Orsay is a museum in Paris, which you will notice straight away as it is housed in an ex-Railway Station, giving it a certain charm, as well as housing the most extensive collection of impressionist masterpieces on the planet. For art lovers, this is a must-visit in Paris, where you can get up close and personal with some fascinating art pieces, including sculptures, furniture, photography, and enjoy panoramic views of Paris at the same time. This place has it all, and it should be paired with The Louvre when in Paris.
Musee Fabre:
Located in Montpelier, this is one of the city’s most important and most visited points for many reasons. One of the main ones is that it holds one of the largest and most impressive collections of European art in France. In addition, there is a vast range of well-known paintings here and ceramic creations that date back to Ancient Greece through to modern-day Europe.
Best museums to visit
Musee National de la Marine:
This is no ordinary maritime museum. Its location is in Brittany, within one of the most beautiful citadels in the entire country, which gives it that wow factor, but it has a lot to offer inside its walls. For anyone interested in maritime history, you can hear the stories about sea rescues, treasures that have been found, and ships and historical models. This is a fascinating place to wander around both inside the museum and outside the historic site, which will allow you to learn more about French maritime history in a fantastic setting.
Memorial de Caen:
Located in Caen, Normandy, this history museum commemorates WW2 and the Battle of Caen and is a must-visit museum and memorial for WW2 enthusiasts. There is a beautiful outside area to enjoy between taking in all the historical artifacts, memorabilia, and stories available to you. This place is geared more towards adults than kids and offers an excellent place to learn more about WW2, right in an area that is steeped in so much history.
Musee Dunkerque 1940:
France has a vast history, and there are various points in time that you can zoom in on and learn more about, which is one of them. This museum depicts everything from The Battle of Dunkirk and Operation Dynamo, the largest naval evacuation mission in military history. Here you will uncover the whole story behind the historical event that happened on the coastline while getting an inside look into the weapons, uniforms, photos, and maps from that time. A must-see for history lovers!
The Bayeaux Tapestry Musem:
The Bayeaux Tapestry is one of the most significant and well-known tapestries in the world, and at this museum in Normandy, you can see it in the flesh. This awe-inspiring cloth is 70m long and 50cm tall and dates back to the 11th Century. The fabric depicts historical events that led to the infamous Battle of Hastings in 1066 and is one of France’s most visited historical pieces.
If it is important to you to get to know the history and culture of France, you might want to consider these eco-friendly tours in France which take on this theme
