Beyond the Louvre: 7 Underrated Paris Museums Worth Your Time

Published April 30, 2025

Everyone goes to the Louvre. And rightly so. But there’s another side of Paris tucked into quieter corners of the city, where smaller museums offer stories, textures, and perspective you won’t find in the big-ticket spaces. These places invite you to slow down, to notice more, and to see a version of Paris that feels personal.

Jean-Paul: "Parisians love these places. You see the art, but you also feel the spirit of the neighborhood, the building, even the person who curated the space."

Jessica: "They’re the ones I tell friends about. All unique, all amazing!"

Whether it’s your first visit or your fifth, these seven underrated museums in Paris are worth carving out time for.

1. Musée Nissim de Camondo (8th Arrondissement)
Set inside a preserved Belle Époque mansion, this museum offers an intimate portrait of a vanished world. Every room feels lived in, every piece of furniture thoughtfully placed. It’s less a museum and more a home with a memory.

• Need to know: Closed Mondays and Tuesdays. Included in the Paris Museum Pass.

• French tip: maison-musée (house museum) [meh-zohn mew-zay]. A space where history feels personal.

2. Musée des Arts Forains (12th Arrondissement)
Tucked away in Bercy Village, this theatrical collection of vintage fairground art and mechanical games is part museum, part performance. You can ride the carousel, play the games, and lose track of time in the best way.

• Need to know: Reservation required. Tours often book up early.

• French tip: fête foraine (fairground) [fet fo-ren]. A beloved tradition filled with joy and nostalgia.

3. La Conciergerie (Île de la Cité)
Step through Gothic arches and into revolutionary history. Once a royal residence, then a prison, this striking space now offers immersive exhibits that pull you into the stories behind the stones.

• Need to know: Included in the Paris Museum Pass. Combine it with a visit to Sainte-Chapelle next door.

4. Choco-Story Paris (3rd Arrondissement)
A deep dive into the history of chocolate, complete with hands-on exhibits and generous tastings. Great for families, or anyone who believes dessert deserves more attention.

• Need to know: Open daily. Tickets include tastings.

5. Fondation Louis Vuitton (Bois de Boulogne)
Frank Gehry’s sculptural glass structure is reason enough to go, but the rotating exhibitions inside are consistently ambitious and beautifully staged. Come for the art, stay for the light.

• Need to know: Timed entry tickets recommended. Shuttle available from the Arc de Triomphe.

• French tip: billet horodaté (timed ticket) [bee-yay or-oh-da-tay]. Increasingly common for popular exhibits.

6. Musée du Quai Branly - Jacques Chirac (7th Arrondissement)
Surrounded by gardens and elevated walkways, this museum’s collection of indigenous arts from across the globe is both visually stunning and thoughtfully presented. It’s one of the few places in the city where you feel the world opening wider as you move through it.

• Need to know: Included in the Paris Museum Pass. Quietest in the mornings.

7. Musée des Arts et Métiers (3rd Arrondissement)
A museum of ideas and innovation. Inside a former monastery, you’ll find early airplanes, automatons, and inventions that helped shape the modern world. Kids love it. So do engineers. And anyone who likes a good “aha” moment.

• Need to know: Free Thursday evenings. Easy walk from the Marais.

Final Tip
The Paris Museum Pass is a great option if you’re planning to visit more than a few of these, but even without it, most of these museums are surprisingly affordable. Check hours before you go, and don’t be afraid to linger.

Jean-Paul: “A museum is not a checklist. It’s a pause.”
Jessica: “And the best ones make you want to slow down without even trying.”