Five of the best smaller museums in Paris

When I say “Paris museum”, you probably think of the Louvre or the Musee d’Orsay. You maybe also think about long queues, overwhelming buildings, and more tourists than artworks.

But what you might not realize is that there is an impossibly high number of smaller museums all across the city that are ripe for visiting. And often empty.

No one knows them better than Emma Jacobs, an illustrator and journalist who’s just released a new book on the topic: The Little(r) Museums of Paris: An Illustrated Guide to the City’s Hidden Gems.

Emma was a guest on The Earful Tower podcast talking about her favourite five smaller museums in Paris. Listen below or wherever you get your podcasts.

Meanwhile, here’s the information about five top museums for your next culture jaunt in Paris. I’ve explained them with a few quotes from the podcast episode to give you an idea, but obviously listen to the chat for more.

The images are taken directly from Emma’s book, which you can find online here.

Five of the best smaller museums in Paris

Musée de la Chasse et de la Nature

This whimsical museum, based in the Marais, is all about hunting and nature, imagine modern art and taxidermy. It’s one of the most unique Paris museums out there.

Address: 62 Rue des Archives, 75003 Paris

Musée Nissim de Camondo

A luxurious Parisian townhouse museum of decorative arts, built in 1911 to match the collector’s 18th century furniture collection. Be prepared to feel like you’re walking into a time machine – located right by the stunning Parc Monceau. Equally interesting is the story of the Camondo family who lived here.

Learn more about Musée Nissim de Camondo by clicking here.

Address: 63 Rue de Monceau, 75008 Paris

Musée Jacquemart-André

A huge mansion that’s very elegant and full of interesting furniture and Italian art. The collection was privately put together by wealthy banker, politician and collector Édouard André (1833–1894) and his wife Nélie Jacquemart.

Address: 158 Boulevard Haussmann, 75008 Paris

Musée d’Ennery

This is a museum of Asian art that began as a private collection and is arranged as the owners left it. It features nearly 7,000 items to give you a glimpse into daily life in Japan and China from the 12th to 19th centuries. A beautiful echo of the Belle Époque and its curiosity with Japonisme.

Address: 59 Avenue Foch, 75116 Paris

Please note, this museum is currently closed.

Musée Gustave Moreau

Another artist who turned his home into a museum, with what may just be the most beautiful staircase in Paris. The art sees a mix of biblical imagery and Greek mythology. 

Address: 14 Rue de la Rochefoucauld, 75009 Paris

Appartements de Nélie Jacquemart

Here’s a bonus one, it’s actually outside of Paris but well worth a visit. It features the personal apartments of the wealthy artist-collector Nélie Jacquemart, of the Musée Jacquemart-André mentioned above.

Address: Chaalis Abbey 60300 Fontaine-Chaalis

Well, that’s it! Thanks for reading. Happy museum hunting, and don’t forget to check out The Little(r) Museums of Paris.

Are you a fan of museums in Paris? Try these ten excellent Paris museums that are criminally overlooked, or learn about how to visit as many Paris museums in four days.

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If you like these tips, be sure to check out the Earful Tower’s 2024 Guide to Paris: