Top 10 Paris Museums, Part 1

Although some people argue that Paris has been trumped by New York or Berlin in the realm of artistic vibrancy, it's still a place where the arts are revered and new talent is rigorously spotlighted, and top Paris museums generally strive to both preserve artistic legacy and expose the public to exciting contemporary artists. Housing some of the globe's most important and rich collections, these top ten Paris museums are outstanding for their breadth, accessibility to all and historic importance.

1.     The Louvre

To learn the Louvre in and out, you might need a lifetime. Still, one has to start somewhere. The site of the world's largest and most diverse collection of pre-20th century painting, sculpture, and decorative objects, The Louvre is generally considered Paris' most important museum. Not forgetting the Mona Lisa and the Venus de Milo, bask in the works of Vermeer, Caravaggio, Rembrandt, and countless others. The palace itself is testament to a rich history spanning from the medieval period to the present. The adjacent Tuileries gardens are perfect for a stroll pre-or post-visit.

2.     National Museum of Modern Art and the Center Pampidou

As it is Inaugurated in 1977 as part of the bold postmodern venture that marked the opening of the Centre Georges Pompidou, the National Museum of Modern Art (MNAM) houses one of the world's most prestigious collections of 20th-century art. Hosting nearly 50,000 works of painting, sculpture, architecture, and other media, the permanent collection at the National Museum of Modern Art is freshly curated every year to reflect new acquisitions. Two floors cover major 20th-century movements, from Cubism to Surrealism and Pop Art. The temporary collections are nearly always worth a visit, too.

3.     Musée d'Orsay

Walk over the bridge from the Louvre to the Musée d'Orsay-- and see the bridge between classical and modern art. Housing the world's most important collection of impressionist and post-impressionist painting, the Musée d'Orsay's light, airy rooms whir you through three floors of modern wonders, from Degas' ethereal dancers to Monet's water lilies, all the way to Gaugin's leafy jungles. Major works by Van Gogh, Delacroix, Manet, and others await you, too.

4.     Petit Palais

The completely-renovated Petit Palais, situated near the prestigious Champs-Elysées, houses 1300 works from the antiquity through the early 20th century, featuring masterpieces by Courbet, Cezanne, Monet, and Delacroix. Admission to the permanent collection is free for all, while temporary collections are free for visitors under the age of 13.

5.     Palais de Tokyo – Modern Art Museum of Paris

Contemporary art buffs are behooved to pay a visit to the city of Paris' museum of modern art, created in 1961 and housed in the distinctive Palais de Tokyo, itself opened during the 1937 Universal Exposition. Featuring over 8,000 works spanning all major trends in 20th century arts, the Museum of Modern Art of Paris hosts a constant stream of exciting temporary exhibits, more recently exploring the works of photographer Henri Cartier-Bresson and American artist Elaine Sturtevant. The terrace outside the palace affords a striking and head-on view of the Eiffel Tower.

The mentioned museums should really be included in your must-see list. They all are worth visiting. Planning a visit to Paris, you have to think of a good place of accommodation. There are lots of options for accommodation in Paris. There are either cheap or luxurious hotels in Paris. To guarantee your stay in the chosen hotel in Paris, it is better to make an online reservation in advance.