Musée d’Orsay

Musée Picasso

A favourite of Parisians and visitors alike. The beautifully restored Hôtel Salé in the Marais is a splendid setting for this extensive collection of paintings, sculptures, drawings and other works by Pablo Picasso (1881–1973), including works from his Cubist period. Large sculptures also adorn the garden and courtyard. The museum closed in August 2009 for renovation work, which should be finished by 2012 (see Musée Picasso).

Musée Rodin

On a sunny day, head straight for the gardens of the Musée Rodin, next to the Hôtel des Invalides complex, where you can enjoy some of the French sculptor’s most famous works, including The Thinker and The Burghers of Calais, while strolling among the shady trees and rose bushes. Then go inside the beautiful 18th-century mansion, the Hôtel Biron, where Auguste Rodin (1840–1917) lived and worked for nine years, until his death. An extensive collection of his works from throughout his career is on display, plus temporary exhibitions (see Musée Rodin).

Musée National d’Art Moderne

The revolutionary Pompidou Centre is the perfect home for France’s outstanding Modern Art Museum. It features some 1,400 works on two levels, one focusing on the artists and movements of the first half of the 20th century, the other featuring art from the 1960s to the present day. The museum often rotates changing displays of works (see Centre Georges Pompidou).

• Pl Georges Pompidou, 75004

• Open 11am–9pm, Wed–Mon

• Admission charge

Jeu de Paume

This gallery is one of the finest exhibition spaces in the city, being set within a 19th-century real tennis court (jeu de paume). It is a showcase for outstanding photography, film and video.

• 1 pl de la Concorde, 75008

• Open noon– 9pm Tue, noon–7pm Wed–Fri, 10am– 7pm Sat–Sun

• Admission charge

L’Orangerie

The prime exhibits here are eight of Monet’s huge waterlily canvases (see Blue Waterlilies) and the gallery, located in a corner of the Tuileries, has recently been renovated to improve their display. The Walter-Guillaume collection covers works by Renoir, Picasso, Modigliani and other modern masters from 1870 to 1930.

• Jardin des Tuileries, 75001

• www.musee-orangerie.fr

• Open 12:30–7pm Wed–Mon (9pm Fri)

• Admission charge

Espace Montmartre Salvador Dalí

This underground museum with its black walls, lighting effects and soundtrack features some of Dalí’s lesser-known works, including bronzes and book illustrations (see Espace Montmartre Salvador Dalí).

Musée Marmottan-Claude Monet

The Impressionist paintings of Claude Monet are the star attraction at this museum, featuring some 165 works donated by his son and perhaps the finest collection of his works in the world. They include a series of his late waterlily paintings. Other Impressionist and Realist painters are also represented, and there is a fine collection of illuminated medieval manuscripts (see Musée Marmottan-Claude Monet).

Musée Maillol

Works of the French artist Aristide Maillol, including his drawings, engravings, paintings and plastercasts, are the focal point of this museum which was created by his model, Dina Vierny. Works by Rodin and Picasso are also on display (see Musée Maillol).

Maison Européenne de la Photographie

If you’re a photography fan, don’t miss this splendid gallery in the Marais. Its exhibitions range from portraits to documentary work, retrospectives to contemporary photographers (see Maison Européenne de la Photographie).