Unusual Paris Museums and Galleries

Paris Museums and Galleries

Here is a somewhat arbitrary and eclectic selection of 20 of the more unusual and noteworthy museums and exhibits to be found in Paris. Click on the links to go to our page on each one with details and comments (or follow the link at the bottom of each section to see them all). Just the thing to try when you fancy something a little different after all those masterpieces!

Musée Baccarat : The Musée Baccarat is one of Paris’ most scintillating experiences – and the Cristal Room restaurant just sparkles!
Catacombes de Paris : Les Catacombes de Paris: “Stop! This is the empire of death.”
La Crypte archeologique du Pararvis Notre-Dame : Visitors can travel back in time by discovering successive buildings erected on the site from Ancient Times to the twentieth century and walk through ancient ruins on which mediaeval and classical remains are superimposed.
Musée Carnavalet : The history of Paris is literally laid out before you in the Musée Carnavalet
Musée Edith Piaf : Everyone has heard Edith Piaf’s songs like "La Vie en Rose" and "Non, je ne regrette rien"
Musée des Egouts de Paris (Museum of the Sewers of Paris) : You too can be Jean Valjean! The fascinating underground world of the Paris Sewer Museum
Musée Fragonard : The Musée Fragonard shows visitors major collections of real anatomical "pieces" portraying all systems making up the living body
Musée Guimet : The Musée National Guimet has the most important panoramic collection of Asian art in France – and a wonderful Japanese Garden to sit in…
Musée Grévin : At the Musée Grévin, you can meet the famous and relive history…
Musée d’Art et d’Histoire du Judaïsme : Travel through different historic periods, discover the diversity of Jewish communities and understand essential concepts about Jewish culture.
Musée de la Magie (Magic Museum) : Musée de la Magie (Magic Museum): magical antiques, interactive illusions and magical devices
Musée de la Mode et du Costume de la Ville de Paris (Fashion and Costume Museum) : Brigitte Bardot’s Dior wedding dress, Balmain, Givenchy, Balenciaga and Jean-Paul Gaultier – and many more – they’re all in Paris’ Museum of Fashion.
Musée de la Mode et du Textile (Musée des Arts Décoratifs) : The Musée de la Mode et du Textile at the Louvre has 16 000 costumes, 35,000 fashion accessories and 30,000 pieces of fabric!
Musée de la Monnaie (The French Mint) : The history of money, how coins are minted, all about Francs and Euro Coins – it’s all at the French Mint, even ‘Hello Kitty’!
Musée National du Moyen-Age Thermes de Cluny : Everyday life in the Middle Ages, the oldest Roman Baths in Paris, and a fascinating medieval style garden – that’s the Musée National du Moyen-Age in Cluny.
Musée de la Musique (Music Museum) : The "jewel in the crown" of the Cité de la Musique, it houses one of the richest collections of musical instruments in the world – and you can hear them play!
Musée de la Poupée (Dolls Museum) : The Musée de la Poupée-Paris (Dolls Museum) is a place of amazement, discovery & nostalgia that will enchant adults as well as children.
Musée de la Publicité : Musée de la Publicité (Museum of Advertising) in Paris: bill board posters, TV and radio commercials, press ads and much more!
Palais de Tokyo, Site de Création Contemporaine : Open from noon to midnight, cutting – in fact, downright bleeding – edge conceptual, video and performance art – and a regular program of the latest music!
Musée du Romantisme (Museum of Romantic Life) : Recreates the atmosphere of the times of the famous novelist Georges Sand and her circle.
Musée de la Serrure (Lock Museum) : The history of locks since Roman times, deadly thief-catcher devices, and baroque trompe d’oeil. (currently closed, see page)

If you fancy an organized day-trip, visit, show, transfer etc. you can book online with our partner Viator. They’ve got nearly 90 different choices in and around Paris. Plan, find and book your sightseeing activities online before you get there! Here’s what they’ve got for Paris . Check out their Paris Catacombs Walking Tour.

If you don’t want to do it yourself and fancy a guide, Rachel Kaplan, the author of "Little-Known Museums Tour In and Around Paris" organizes art and museum tours