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
A beautiful hidden gem in Paris. The architecture alone is stunning, and the inner courtyard garden is incredibly peaceful, perfect for a quiet break between sightseeing spots. The art collections are elegant and well curated, and I especially loved how spacious and calm the galleries feel.
As a travel content creator based in Berlin, I truly appreciated the aesthetic details and natural light, it’s a wonderful place for both inspiration and photography. Highly recommended if you want a refined cultural experience without the overwhelming crowds.
— Arlinda
arlinda nako - 4 months ago
Petit Palais is one of those places that surprises you with its elegance and beauty. The architecture is stunning, with beautiful details both outside and inside the building. The atmosphere feels calm, refined, and much less crowded compared to some of the more famous attractions in Paris.
A wonderful place to admire art, architecture, and enjoy a peaceful moment in the city.
Sohrab Bahri - a month ago
Small enough to enjoy the entire museum without feeling the need to rush through. The building is stunning inside and out. The gardens are gorgeous too. Definitely add it to your list if you have time.
Chameka Small - a month ago
The Petit Palais is a beautiful gem within Paris. The architecture is absolutely stunning and there is some incredible art to explore inside. Entry is free which is great considering the quality of the exhibition is very high. They are open later in the evening at the weekend so perfect way to spend an evening exploring. Unfortunately I didn't get time to try the cafe/ restaurant when I was there but I will definitely try it out next time I'm in Paris. Out of all the museum/ art galleries I visit in Paris the Petit Palace is definitely one the best
Stuart - a month ago
I absolutely loved visiting Petit Palais—it’s truly one of Paris’s hidden gems. The fact that it’s free to enter makes it even more incredible, especially considering the quality of the experience.
The art collection is stunning, with a beautiful mix of paintings, sculptures, and decorative pieces that are both elegant and inspiring. The building itself is a masterpiece—grand, refined, and full of light, making every room a pleasure to explore.
One of the highlights was the café inside, Le Café du Petit Palais. Set in a charming inner courtyard garden, it’s the perfect spot to relax after wandering through the galleries. The atmosphere is peaceful and picturesque, and it feels like a little oasis in the middle of the city.
A must-visit in Paris—art, architecture, and a beautiful café experience, all in one place, and completely free.
Petek S. - 2 months ago
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.
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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: dalbera - cc license via Flickr
