On discovering it, the painter Édouard Detaille is said to have exclaimed: "The station is superb and looks like a fine arts palace". This visionary would be very surprised to discover that his discovery has been a museum since 1986. Today, the museum houses an impressive collection of 19th-century works of art.
Our tip: If you climb to the top floor, go behind the impressive clock and admire the magnificent panoramic view over Paris.
Renowned the world over for its immense collections of art and antiquities, the Louvre has a rich and chequered history. Little remains of the small fortified castle built by Philippe-Auguste to store the kingdom's treasures.
Make the most of this getaway to visit the Tuileries gardens, a vast green space that is a pleasure to stroll through.
For fans of candyfloss, merry-go-rounds and thrills, visit the Tuileries Festival, from June to August.
Located in the Tuileries gardens, the Musée de l'Orangerie houses a series of large-format paintings of the Water Lilies, Claude Monet's masterpiece gift to France in 1922. The basement houses the Jean Walter and Paul Guillaume collection, devoted to the great names of the 20th century: Renoir, Cézanne, Matisse, Picasso, Soutine...
The Musée Maillol houses the most important collection of works by Aristide Maillol, the artist who reinvented modern sculpture in his day. The Musée Maillol also hosts two major temporary exhibitions a year, focusing on the different artistic movements from the 20th to the 21st century, and all their forms of expression.
Located on the banks of the Seine, near the Eiffel Tower, the Musée du quai Branly - Jacques Chirac exhibits 3,500 works of art from Africa, America, Asia and Oceania. This extensive collection makes it a key venue for non-Western art cultures.
Since 1919, the Rodin Museum has been responsible for the conservation and dissemination of the work of Auguste Rodin. He was one of the most important French sculptors of the second half of the XIXᵉ century, considered to be one of the fathers of modern sculpture.
The institution houses a collection consisting of nearly 6,800 Sculptures, 8,000 Drawings, 10,000 Antique Photographs and 8,000 other Art objects.
Saint Germain des Prés is a chic district of the capital, rich in art galleries and antique shops.
The Art Saint-Germain-des-Près Association created 17 years ago, promotes and animates the galleries of Saint-Germain-des-Prés, the historic district of culture and arts in Paris.
She organizes a party in May, followed by the "June of Art-Saint-Germain".
As it describes itself, the museum presents exhibitions for ages 3 to 103, in a fun and attractive format that captures the curiosity of young and old alike. There are guided tours, events and workshops for all ages. There is also a space reserved for contemporary artists.
