Mission & Vision
Paris Musées is a public institution that oversees 14 museums and heritage sites in the heart of Paris. Collectively, over a million works of art are preserved or exhibited in these remarkable places, bearing witness to the extraordinary cultural wealth and history of Paris. Paris Musées sites include:
Fine Arts Museums:
Petit Palais-Musée des Beaux-Arts de Paris, an elegant museum in the 8th arrondissement, showcases an extensive collection of fine art spanning from antiquity to the early 20th century. Housed in a stunning Belle Époque building, it features works by renowned artists such as Rubens, Fragonard, and Cézanne.
Musée d’Art Moderne de Paris houses an impressive collection of modern and contemporary art spanning the 20th and 21st centuries, including works by iconic artists like Picasso, Braque, and Delaunay. The museum offers a captivating journey through the evolution of modern art.
Musée Cernuschi–Musée des arts de l’Asie is a renowned museum dedicated to the art and culture of Asia, with a focus on Chinese and Japanese collections. Located in a charming mansion, it features a rich array of sculptures, ceramics, paintings, and artifacts spanning centuries.
Musée Cognacq-Jay, a collection of 18th-century art and decorative objects, showcases the refined taste of the Enlightenment period. Located in a historic mansion in the Marais, the museum features works by renowned artists such as Fragonard and Watteau, as well as exquisite furniture and porcelain.
History Museums:
Musée Carnavalet–Histoire de Paris offers a fascinating journey through the history of the French capital. Located in the historic yet lively Marais neighborhood, the museum showcases a vast collection of artifacts, paintings, and exhibits that trace Paris’s evolution from its origins to the modern era.
Musée de la Libération de Paris – Musée du Général Leclerc–Musée Jean Moulin commemorates the liberation of Paris during World War II and honors the leaders of the French Resistance. Through a collection of documents, photos, and artifacts, visitors can learn about the pivotal roles played by General Leclerc and Jean Moulin in the city’s fight for freedom.
Fashion Museums:
Palais Galliera, Musée de la Mode de Paris is the city’s premier fashion museum, showcasing an extensive collection of haute couture and ready-to-wear fashion. Housed in a grand Renaissance-style palace, the museum presents exhibitions highlighting iconic designers, fashion history, and the evolution of style through the ages.
Houses of Artists:
Musée Bourdelle showcases the work of the renowned sculptor Antoine Bourdelle in his former studio and home. Nestled in the Montparnasse district, the museum features a stunning collection of his sculptures, drawings, and paintings, set in a charming garden and studio space.
Maison de Victor Hugo offers a glimpse into the life and work of the celebrated French writer Victor Hugo. Located in his former residence, the museum displays a collection of his personal artifacts, manuscripts, and artworks that provide insight into his literary legacy.
Musée de la Vie Romantique provides a charming escape into the romantic era of the 19th century. Visitors can explore the preserved residence of the painter Ary Scheffer, adorned with period furniture and artworks, offering a glimpse into the cultural and artistic milieu of the Romantic period.
Musée Zadkine is a museum dedicated to the work of Russian-born sculptor Ossip Zadkine, located in his former studio and home. Nestled in a peaceful garden near the Luxembourg Gardens, the museum features a collection of his striking sculptures, drawings, and works by his contemporaries.
Maison de Balzac, the former home of famed French writer Honoré de Balzac, is a museum dedicated to his life and works. Overlooking the Seine in the Passy neighborhood, it houses Balzac’s personal items, manuscripts, and exhibits that shed light on his literary achievements and influence.
Heritage Sites:
Crypte archéologique de l’île de la Cité is an underground archaeological site that reveals layers of Paris’s history beneath Notre-Dame Cathedral. Visitors can explore ancient remains, including Roman ruins and medieval structures, which offer a fascinating perspective on the city’s development over centuries.
Les Catacombes de Paris is an underground ossuary housing the remains of over six million people, arranged in intricate patterns and formations. This fascinating, if a bit spooky, attraction offers a unique glimpse into the city’s history, with its winding tunnels beneath the bustling streets of Paris.
Actions Led
Today, the museums of Paris welcome more than five million visitors, and the institution aims to build on this momentum and expand access to culture. With the exception of the Catacombes de Paris, the Crypte archéologique de l’île de la Cité and the Palais Galliera, the permanent collections of these museums are free to all. A vast program of exhibitions, events and artistic activities is also offered throughout the year.
Projects That U.S. Donors Can Support
The support of companies, foundations and individual donors is essential for Paris Musées to achieve its public-interest goals, and to pursue its commitment to sharing its collections and exhibitions with all audiences. The three main missions of Paris Musées that U.S. donors can support are :
- To enrich and preserve collections, particularly through digitization, research development, and organizing events.
- Planning of exhibitions and producing prestigious publications, which contribute to the cultural richness of the capital and its national and international influence.
- Attracting new visitors through an enriched educational program and increased attention to visitor comfort and cultural mediation.
Photo Credits, top-to-bottom and left-to-right: Musée Carnavalet-History of Paris © JB Gurliat; Sculpture workshop of the Musée Bourdelle ©Pierre Antoine; Musée Bourdelle © Laurent Bourgogne; Entrance hall of the Petit Palais – Museum of Fine Arts of the City of Paris ©Pierre Antoine; Evening gown, known as the “lily gown,” Worth, worn by Countess Greffulhe, Palais Galliera Museum of Fashion of the City of Paris © All rights reserved; Catacombs of Paris ©A. Lahut; Restoration in progress in the company salon of the Hôtel d’Uzès – Musée Carnavalet-History of Paris © Antoine Mercusot; Chinese salon of the Maison de Victor Hugo in Paris ©Pierre Antoine
