City of Paris Fine Arts Museum
(Petit Palais and the Musée des Beaux-Arts)
The permanent collection at the Musée des Beaux-Arts in the beautiful Petit Palais is free to see
Musee des Beaux-Arts or City of Paris Fine Arts Museum is a spectacular museum situated on the north bank of the river Seine in Paris. The museum first opened in 1900 and it has continued at the current location for more than a century. This superb museum should definitely be included in your itinerary when visiting Paris.
Visitors to the Petit Palais can enjoy viewing the works of many famous artists found in their permanent collection for free. There are also a variety of temporary exhibits rotating throughout the year that can be seen for a nominal charge.
The collection of artwork on display at the Musee des Beaux-Arts is both fine and full. They range in time from Ancient Greece all the way up to the First World War. .The collection includes works by many notable artists such as Rembrandt, Monet, Delacroix, Courbet, Rodin and many more. The permanent collection is divided into sections for easy viewing.
Nearby attractions: Science Museum and Grand Palace National Gallery
Facts For Your Visit
Fee: No, except to see temporary exhibits and programsPetit Palais Hours:
Opening hours may differ on holidays
- Monday: Closed
- Tuesday: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
- Wednesday: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
- Thursday: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
- Friday: 10:00 AM – 8:00 PM
- Saturday: 10:00 AM – 8:00 PM
- Sunday: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Address: Av. Winston Churchill, 75008 Paris, France
Phone: 01 53 43 40 00
Official Website: Petit Palais
Petit Palais Reviews
Rated out of 5![]()
I visited the Petit Palais with my family during our trip to Paris, and it was a nice experience. The building itself is beautiful, both from the outside and inside, and there are many interesting paintings, sculptures and works of art throughout the museum.
One thing I particularly appreciated was the small area dedicated to children. My youngest son spent some time there and really enjoyed it. It is not a large children’s museum, and you can probably go through it in less than an hour, but it was a nice addition to the visit and made the museum more enjoyable for families with young children.
The permanent collection is free to visit, which is another positive point. The museum is also in a very good location in central Paris and can easily be combined with other attractions nearby.
Overall, it is a nice museum. You do not necessarily need to spend several hours here, and for us it was a pleasant stop that combined art, impressive architecture and something enjoyable for a young child as well.
Mohammad Diab - 2 months ago
We really enjoyed our visit to the Petit Palais. The artwork, architecture, and statues were mesmerizing, and the overall setup was beautiful. The café was a lovely place to relax, while the children’s area was a huge hit with the kids. The clean and well-maintained restrooms were another plus. Overall, we are very glad we stopped by.
Raghavan - 3 months ago
The Petit Palais is an absolute gem in Paris! If you are a fan of art, this place is a must-visit. The architecture alone is stunning—it is a breathtaking example of Beaux-Arts style, and the interior courtyard with its garden is the perfect peaceful escape in the middle of the city.
I was particularly impressed by how it serves as a fantastic place to experience modern art. The museum does an incredible job of blending its classical roots with a collection that bridges the gap beautifully into the early 20th century. Whether you are there for the permanent exhibitions or the temporary shows, there is always something interesting to discover. It’s a great spot for an eclectic mix of art lovers who want to see everything from traditional masterpieces to modern creativity. I highly recommend spending an afternoon here!
Shamaiz Qadeer Bajwa - 3 months ago
While the Louvre is undoubtedly great, this place offers a wonderful alternative if you want to skip the massive queues and save some money (free entry!). There is an incredible variety of beautiful paintings and fascinating collectibles to explore here without the overwhelming crowds. Highly recommended!
Victor Ochieng' - 4 months ago
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Directions
| Metro / RER Line | Nearest Station | Walking Time |
|---|---|---|
| M1 or M13 | Champs-Élysées - Clemenceau | 3 minutes |
| M9 | Franklin Delano Roosevelt | 7 minutes |
| M8 or RER-C | Invalides | 5 minutes |
How to get to Petit Palais by Metro / RER
By Metro or RER-C: From Metro Line 1 or 13 exit at Champs-Élysées - Clemenceau Station. The Petit Palais is straight south on the left side of Avenue Winston Churchill. Follow Avenue du General Eisenhower beside the Grand Palais to the gallery entrance.
From Metro Line 1 or 9 exit at Franklin Delano Roosevelt Station and follow Avenue des Champs Elysees southeast from the traffic circle to Avenue Winston Churchill and go right. Continue to the main entrance on your left.
From Metro Line 8 or RER-C exit at Invalides and head north over the Alexandre III bridge. Continue north on Avenue Winston Churchill to the entrance on your right.
Map & Instant Route Finder
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Accommodations near Petit Palais:
Photo Gallery
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Incredibly beautiful interior of the Petit Palais competes with the many works in the Musée des Beaux-Arts cc 3.0 licensed photo by Edal via Wikimedia -
Exploring the many exhibits in the well lit interior of the Musée des Beaux-Arts in the Petit Palais cc licensed photo by jean-louis zimmermann -
Photo Credit: dalbera - cc license via Flickr -
Photo Credit: dalbera - cc license via Flickr -
Photo Credit: dalbera - cc license via Flickr -
Photo Credit: dalbera - cc license via Flickr -
Photo Credit: dalbera - cc license via Flickr -
Photo Credit: dalbera - cc license via Flickr -
Photo Credit: dalbera - cc license via Flickr -
Photo Credit: dalbera - cc license via Flickr -
Photo Credit: RenéCD - cc license via Flickr

