Here is our selection of 6 French art museums and galleries that have to be on your must-visit list in France!
French art museums
If you are visiting France, there’s no better way to spend your time than by exploring the country’s stunning art museums and galleries.
French culture is rooted in fine arts, which is why these museums have been built to showcase the finest examples of this tradition.
From Impressionist masterpieces to modern art by giants like Picasso and Matisse, the high quality of French art is on full display in almost every museum. With that in mind, here are the best art museums you must visit while in France.
Fabre Museum
The French art museum of Natural History is the Fabre Museum in Paris. Founded in 1869 by Paul-Martin Forgent, it is the oldest museum in France. The museum has a collection of approximately one million natural history objects, including live specimens, fossils, minerals, fossils, minerals, shells, and rocks.
This museum is a pioneer in the field of natural history in Europe. The Fabre Museum has been revamped under the direction of the ‘Maison de la Culture, a Paris-based cultural organization.
The museum has been completely redesigned and restored to its original splendor and glory. Thus, visitors can now visit this museum to appreciate and discover the wonders of the natural world in new and interesting ways.
The museum has also incorporated interactive elements and modern technology to create an engaging and exciting experience.
Picasso Museum Mougins
Situated in the picturesque and beautiful town of Mougins, the Picasso Museum is dedicated to the life and work of one of the world’s most famous painters Pablo Picasso. The museum is housed in the historic Villa Les Ailes in the foothills of the Alps and is one of the most visited museums in the world.
The museum is a private collection of over 10,000 pieces of art and artifacts, including furniture and household items, plus works by Picasso, Matisse, and many other artists who worked in the town.
The museum also owns an extensive archive which includes photographs, original manuscripts, and correspondence between artists. This makes it one of the few places visitors can see life inside an artist’s home and work studio.
Rodin Museum St Germain-en-Laye
The Rodin Museum is in St Germain-en-Laye and was opened in 1965 to house the collection of Auguste Rodin. It is one of the most visited museums in France and is dedicated to French sculptor Auguste Rodin.
This was built around the private collection of Rodin, who amassed over 1,000 works of art. The museum is spread over five sites, with two buildings designed by architects Perret and Saintonge.
The museum displays work by Rodin and other notable artists, including Edgar Degas and Claude Monet. The museum’s collections include sculptures, drawings, pieces of furniture, and many paintings, including works by Rodin.
The museum also houses a vast collection of photographs and other materials, including letters and diaries, which provide insight into Rodin’s life and work. It also organizes exhibitions of contemporary artists, including Rodin himself.
Musee national d’art moderne (Museum of Modern Art)
The Modern Art Museum is in Paris and is considered one of France’s best art museums. The museum was opened in 1929 with a collection by the likes of Pablo Picasso and Henri Matisse.
Now, the museum’s collections include works by many prominent artists, including Pablo Picasso, Paul Cezanne, Mark Rothko, Jackson Pollock, Marcel Duchamp, and Andy Warhol.
The museum also features sculptures, paintings, and prints by women artists and an extensive permanent collection of modern art. The museum also organizes exhibits of contemporary art from around the world and publishes books on the subject.
This is housed in a grand building in the center of Paris, near the Place de la Bastille and the Place de l’Etoile. It is easily accessible by metro and the RER and has free parking at the nearby Place de la Nation.
National Museum of Arab Art and Culture (Arabic Museum)
The National Museum of Arab Art and Culture is in the beautiful town of Montpellier in France. Founded in 1883, the museum is now France’s oldest and most important museum of Arab art.
The collection holds works from the 7th century to the modern period, which comprise paintings, ceramics, manuscripts, and coins.
The museum also has extensive archaeological, anthropological, and ethnological collections, which provide a comprehensive view of the history of Mediterranean and Middle Eastern cultures.
These collections come from the Louvre, the Ethnological Museum, the Museum of Natural History, and other museums across France. The museum is housed in the Halle aux Grains, a former grain market, and is easy to reach by public transport.
Museum of Vaux le Vicomte
The Museum of Vaux le Vicomte is in a stunning 19th-century chateau in the beautiful town of Meulan in France. The museum was opened in 1899 and is dedicated to the life and works of the French Romantic poet Charles Vignoles.
The museum displays Vignoles’ paintings, letters, manuscripts, drawings, and personal effects. The museum also displays a great collection of 19th-century French paintings, including works by Gustave Courbet.
This has been beautifully restored to feature period furniture and decorations, making it a unique and interesting place to visit. It is located in a quiet and picturesque part of the town, making it a popular place for visitors to explore.
Final thoughts
French culture is rooted in fine arts, which is why these museums have been built to showcase the finest examples of this tradition. With that in mind, here are the best art museums you must visit while in France.
The Fabre Museum in Paris is one of the oldest museums of Natural History in Europe and has a collection of approximately one million natural history objects, including live specimens, fossils, minerals, fossils, shells, and rocks.
The Picasso Museum in Mougins is situated in the picturesque and beautiful town of Mougins and is dedicated to the life and work of one of the most famous painters Pablo Picasso.
The Rodin Museum is in St Germain-en-Laye and was opened in 1965 to house the collection of Auguste Rodin.
The National Museum of Arab Art and Culture (Arabic Museum) is in the beautiful town of Montpellier in France and houses a comprehensive collection of the cultures of the Mediterranean and the Middle East.
The Museum of Vaux le Vicomte is a historic chateau in a quiet and picturesque town and was opened in 1899.