Modern art museums in France

Originally a railway station, this Beaux-Arts building now houses Musée d'Orsay, one of the largest art museums in Europe. The Musée d'Orsay in Paris is an art museum that covers the history of Western art between 1848 and 1914, with a strong emphasis on 19th-century French art. The museum has a ren

The Palais des Beaux-Arts de Lille, located in Lille, is a municipal museum that is dedicated to fine arts, modern art, and antiquities. It is recognized as one of the largest art museums in France, making it a significant cultural destination for art enthusiasts and tourists alike.

Many impressionist artworks of mainly French artists are exhibited in the Musee de l'Orangerie museum near the Tuileries gardens in Paris. Paintings from the end of the 19th and the beginning of the 20th century are on display in the museum, including works of art by Renoir, Picasso, Cézanne and man

The CAPC musée d'art contemporain de Bordeaux is a modern art museum that was established in 1973 in Bordeaux, France. It is a significant cultural institution in the city, offering a wide range of contemporary art exhibitions and events. The museum is known for its innovative approach to showcasing modern art, making it a popular destination for art enthusiasts and tourists alike.

The Musée des Beaux-Arts, located in the French city of Rouen, is a fine arts museum that was established in 1799. Over the years, it has evolved into one of the most notable regional museums in France. The museum provides an extensive overview of European art, dating back to the 15th century.

The Musée des Beaux-Arts de Nantes, which was reopened in 2017 as the Musée d’Arts de Nantes, is a renowned French museum situated in the heart of Nantes, in the Pays de la Loire region. This museum showcases art from the 13th century to the present day, providing a comprehensive overview of various art periods and styles.

The Musée de l'Armée (the Army Museum) in paris is located in the Cathédrale de Saint-Louis-des-Invalides, which is part of the Hôtel des Invalides in Paris. Its historical military collection comprises more than 500,000 objects from the Middle Ages to modern times, including pieces like photos, pai

The Musée Bartholdi is a museum located in Colmar, France, dedicated to the life and works of the renowned French sculptor Auguste Bartholdi. The museum is situated at 30 rue des Marchands, the birthplace of the artist. It offers a unique opportunity to delve into the life and creative process of Bartholdi, providing a deeper understanding of his works.

The former chapel dating to the wake of the 16th century now serves as a museum of the modern art. A must do for every art connoisseur.

The Musée Marmottan Monet museum is one of the museums of fine arts in Paris. Art historian Paul Marmottan donated his city palace and art collection to the Académie des beaux-arts in 1932. In addition to the collection of Jules and Paul Marmottan, the museum has the largest collection in the world

The MAMCS houses an extensive collection of nearly 18,500 objects, including paintings, sculptures, graphics, video art, and design pieces. The collection spans from the period of 1870, the era of Impressionism, to the present day, offering a comprehensive overview of modern and contemporary art.

The Villa Savoye, also known as Villa les Heures Claires, is a significant architectural landmark located in Poissy, northwest of Paris. It was designed by the renowned architect Le Corbusier and his cousin Pierre Jeanneret. The construction of this iconic villa took place from 1928 to 1931. The villa's design is a testament to the architectural prowess of its creators and stands as a symbol of modern architecture.

Dalí Paris, previously known as Espace Dalí, is a museum situated in Paris, France. It is conveniently located near the renowned Place du Tertre, in the Montmartre area. This location is not only famous for its artistic history but also for its vibrant and bohemian atmosphere, making it an interesting area to explore before or after your visit to the museum.

Musée national Marc Chagall (The Marc-Chagall Museum, national museum of the Marc-Chagall biblical message) is a national museum in Nice that is dedicated to the work of the painter Marc Chagall. Chagnall was a Russian-French artist of Belarusian Jewish origin. He was an early modernist and was ass

The Museum of Fine Arts in Tours is housed in the city's old bishop's palace, which is a classified historical monument. This central location, near the cathedral, makes it easily accessible for tourists visiting the city.

The Musée des Beaux-Arts de Dijon, opened in 1787, is one of the main and oldest museums in France. Located in Dijon, this museum of fine arts holds a significant place in the country's cultural heritage.

The Museum of Fine Arts of Rennes is a municipal museum located in Rennes, the capital of Brittany in France. It is one of the most significant museums outside of Paris, with a wide range of collections from ancient Egypt antiquities to Modern art.

The Musée Sainte-Croix, located in Poitiers, France, is the city's largest museum. It was constructed in 1974, replacing the former Abbaye Sainte-Croix. The museum's architecture, a blend of concrete and glass, reflects the style of the 1970s.

The Lille Métropole Museum of Modern, Contemporary and Outsider Art, also known as LaM, is situated in the city of Villeneuve d'Ascq in France. This museum was formerly known as the Villeneuve d'Ascq Museum of Modern Art. It is a significant destination for art enthusiasts and tourists alike, offering a unique blend of modern, contemporary, and outsider art.

Built on the site of a former bowling alley, this overwhelming building opened in 2014. It was designed by the famous visionary architect Frank O. Gehry from Los Angeles in close cooperation with Bernard Arnault, the chairman and CEO of LVMH, the world's largest luxury goods company. The design was

The House of Fournaise, located on the Island of the Impressionists in Chatou, Yvelines, is a historical site that now serves as a restaurant and a municipal museum. The museum holds collections that shed light on the history of the site and boating, which was one of the first modern leisure activities on the water.

The Granet Museum, located in Aix-en-Provence, is one of the oldest and richest art museums in France. It was founded in 1765 and has since been a significant cultural landmark in the region. The museum's collection was initially formed from the antique collection of Fauris de Saint-Vincent and has grown over the centuries to include a wide range of artworks.

The Musée d'art moderne André Malraux, also known as Musée Malraux and simply MuMa, is located in Le Havre, France. It is renowned for housing one of the nation's most extensive collections of impressionist paintings. This makes it a significant destination for art enthusiasts and tourists interested in impressionist art.

The Vasarely Foundation, located in Aix-en-Provence, is an architectonic center that was constructed between 1971 and 1976. This unique structure was designed and built by the Franco-Hungarian contemporary artist, Victor Vasarely. The foundation serves as a testament to Vasarely's vision of integrating art and architecture to create a space with its own unique meaning and purpose.

The Musée Fabre, located in the southern French city of Montpellier, was established by François-Xavier Fabre, a painter from the same city, in 1825. This museum is one of the main attractions of Montpellier and is situated near the city's main square, the Place de la Comédie. The museum's significance is acknowledged nationally as it is classified as a Musée de France by the French Ministry of Culture.

The City of Paris Fine Art Museum is housed in the Petit Palais in Paris, which was built for the 1900 World's Fair (the 1900 Exposition Universelle ("universal exhibition")) by the architect Charles Girault. The museum holds and exhibits a large collection of ancient and modern art, including paint

The Musée de Grenoble is the city museum of Grenoble in France. It was founded in 1798 and has been located in a new building on the banks of the Isère River since 1994. This location offers a unique setting for the museum, combining the beauty of the natural landscape with the architectural design of the building.

The Center Georges Pompidou, or just Centre Pompidou is a leading center for modern art in Paris. It was opened in February 1977, by former French President Pompidou, who wanted a large public center in Paris where all forms of modern art and cultural expressions could find a home. This inside-out b

The Picasso Museum in Paris (Musée Picasso Paris) is housed in the Hotel Salé, where it gives an overview of the work of Pablo Picasso. The collection by Picasso is the largest collection in the world of works by Picasso, who spent a large part of his life in France and is organized thematically. In

The Angladon Museum - Jacques Doucet is situated in the heart of Avignon at 5 rue Laboureur. The museum is housed in the hôtel de Massilian, a former hôtel particulier built in the 18th century. This historic building adds a unique charm to the museum, making it not just a place to view art, but also a piece of history itself.

The Magnin Museum is a national museum situated in the city of Dijon, which is part of the Burgundy-Franche-Comté region in France. This location is known for its rich history and cultural heritage, making it a significant site for tourists interested in French art and history.

The Musée des Beaux-Arts de Limoges is an art and cultural history museum situated in the French city of Limoges, within the Haute-Vienne department. This museum is a significant cultural institution in the region, offering visitors a deep dive into the rich art and cultural history of the area.

The Musée de la Chartreuse, located in Douai, France, is an art museum housed in a former Carthusian monastery. This unique setting provides a historical backdrop to the museum's extensive collection of art, adding an extra layer of interest for visitors.

Le MAGASIN – Centre National d’Arts et de Cultures (CNAC) is a contemporary art museum located in Grenoble. The museum was opened in 1986 and has since been a hub for modern and contemporary art and culture.

The Museum of Fine Arts in La Rochelle is a museum dedicated to fine arts. It is located in the city of La Rochelle, in the Charente-Maritime region of France. The museum is part of the arts and history museums of La Rochelle, offering a rich collection of artworks for visitors to explore.

The Grand Palais is a Beaux-Arts building that was erected for the 1900 World Exposition. Nowadays it houses many exhibitions beneath its huge Art Nouveau glass roof. The complex comprises of several separate galeries nationales (individual exhibition rooms) and also of the Palace de la Découverte,

The Musée Soulages Rodez is a contemporary art museum located in Rodez, a city in the Aveyron department of the French administrative region of Occitanie. The museum is dedicated to showcasing the works of French painter Pierre Soulages, but also features rotating exhibitions of other contemporary artists.

The LAAC (Lieu d'art et action contemporaine) is a contemporary art museum located in Dunkirk. It is surrounded by a picturesque sculpture park and presents art from the period between 1940 and 1980. This museum is a great place for tourists who are interested in contemporary art and want to enjoy a peaceful walk in a beautiful park.

The Blanche Hoschedé-Monet Museum, located in the city of Vernon, is a municipal museum that holds the prestigious label of 'Museum of France'. This label is a testament to the museum's high standards in terms of collection, conservation, and presentation of its exhibits.

The Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art (Musée d'art moderne et d'art contemporain, MAMAC) is a museum in Nice in France that is dedicated to modern art and contemporary art. The museum holds and displays a collection of works of art that are considered as avant-garde, from the late 1950s to the p

The Musée des Beaux-Arts de Carcassonne is an art museum that was established in 1836. It is situated in the Bastide Saint-Louis in Carcassonne and is housed in the city's old presidium. The museum was founded by art and history enthusiasts, making it a significant cultural landmark in the city.

The Museo d'arte di Tolone, located in Toulon, is a significant center for the conservation and exhibition of the municipal collections of the city. It is a place where visitors can explore a wide range of artworks and historical artifacts, providing a deep insight into the city's cultural heritage.

The Bemberg Foundation (Fondation Bemberg) is a major art gallery in Toulouse that is housed in Hôtel d'Assézat, a Renaissance hôtel particulier. The Fondation Bemberg is one of the major private collections of art in Europe. It is the private collection of Georges Bemberg (1915 - 2011) that include

The Museum of Modern Art City of Paris or MAM (Musée d'Art Moderne de la Ville de Paris) is a modern art museum in the French capital of Paris. It is located in the east wing of the Palais de Tokyo, while the west wing is intended for contemporary art activities and exhibitions related to painting a

The Calvet Museum, located in Avignon, is the city's primary museum. Its extensive collection is divided between two distinct buildings. The fine arts collection is housed in an 18th-century hôtel particulier, a type of grand townhouse. A separate Lapidary Museum, which showcases stone carvings and sculptures, is located in the former chapel of the city's Jesuit college on rue de la République.

The Musée des Tissus et des Arts décoratifs is a museum in Lyon that is housed in two 18th century hôtels particuliers and actually consists of two museum: the Museum of Textiles (Musée des Tissus) and the Decorative Arts Museum (Musée des arts décoratifs). The museum holds a very large collection o

Since April 2011, the Musée Bonnat-Helleu has been closed to the public for extensive renovations. An architectural project, which aims to double the size of the museum, was initiated in early 2018. The goal is to reopen the museum to the public in 2025.

The Massena Museum (Musée Masséna) is a state museum in Nice. that has since 1921 been displaying art from the Belle Époque, as well as regional art and history of the Côte d'Azur. In the Masséna Museum, painting, sculpture, arts and crafts, Belle Epoque furniture and furnishings are on display on t

Palais de Tokyo in Paris is the largest centre in Europe dedicated to contemporary art exhibitions. Having no permanent exhibitions, the place is very dynamic and always offers something new with alternative forms of art, with its main focus on the emerging French and international art scene. Apart

The Musée du Luxembourg is a museum in Paris. It was the first European museum to exhibit art in public for the first time, and the first museum for contemporary art. Nowadays it is mainly used for temporary exhibitions with works by both classical as well as modern artists.

The Municipal Museum of Art and History of Colombes is situated in the city of Colombes, within the Hauts-de-Seine department in France. This location is easily accessible and offers a rich cultural experience for tourists visiting the area.

The Matisse Museum (Museé Matisse) is a museum in Nice that is devoted to the French painter, draughtsman, printmaker, and sculptor Henri Matisse. This Matisse Museum holds one of the largest collection of Matisse in the world, tracing his artistic beginnings as well as his evolution through his las

The Earthenware and Fine Arts Museum, also known as the Earthenware Museum of Nevers, is a French museum located in Nevers, in the Nièvre region. The museum's primary focus is on earthenware and painting, offering visitors a unique insight into these art forms. It is an ideal destination for art enthusiasts and those interested in exploring the rich cultural heritage of Nevers.

The Musée Cernuschi is a museum in Paris that is dedicated to Asian arts with a collection that focuses on the Far East: China, Japan, Korea. The Italian-French politician and economist Henri Cernuschi had left his collections in 1896 to the city of Paris, after which the Musée Cernuschi was opened

The Musée Eugène Boudin, situated in the northern French town of Honfleur in the Calvados department of Normandy, is a museum dedicated to art and cultural history. It offers visitors a chance to immerse themselves in a significant collection of pre-impressionist paintings and works by Norman painters who have stayed in Honfleur.

The Musée d'Art et d'Histoire Louis-Senlecq is a municipal museum located in L'Isle-Adam, Val-d'Oise, France. It holds the prestigious label of "Musée de France", which is a mark of its quality and significance. The museum houses a collection of art primarily from the 19th and 20th centuries, with a particular focus on works related to L'Isle-Adam and its surrounding region.

Musée des Beaux-Arts de Nice (Musée des Beaux-Arts Jules Chéret) is an art museum in Nice that is housed in a Neo-renaissance mansion, the former private mansion of Russian Princess Elizaveta Vasilievna Kochubey built in 1878. Musée des Beaux-Arts Jules Chéret houses a collection of art spanning the

The Musée Maillol is a private art museum founded in 1995 in Paris. The museum holds and exhibits a collection of works of French sculptor, painter, and printmaker Aristide Maillol and other works of art from the period of the 20th century. Furthermore, temporary exhibitions are organized in the mus

Musée Regards de Provence is a museum in Marseille that holds a collection of 850 works of art from the modern era to the present, brought together to enhance the artistic and cultural heritage of Marseille, the Provence and the Mediterranean. The museum holds works by artists such as: Pierre Ambrog

The Musée des beaux-arts de Marseille is an art museum in Marseille that is housed in the right wing of the Palais Longchamp that was built by the architect Henri-Jacques Espérandieu between 1862 and 1869. The museum holds a collection of paintings, sculptures and drawings from the 16th to the 19th

Atelier Brancusi is a French glyptotheque that is related to the Georges Pompidou National Center for Art and Culture in Paris. Located on Georges Pompidou Square, it is designed to reproduce the studio of the Romanian sculptor Constantin Brâncuşi. It is a national museum of modern art in Paris.

The Musée des Beaux-Arts de Bordeaux is an art museum situated in the French city of Bordeaux, within the Gironde department. This museum is a significant cultural institution in the region, offering visitors a chance to explore a wide range of art collections.

The Musée des Abattoirs (museum of slaughterhouse) is a museum in Toulouse and housed in a former slaughterhouse from 1823. The museum holds a collection of Modern and Contemporary art. The Modern collection focuses on artists who were active from the 1950s with paintings including CoBrA, Art Brut,

The Musée de Flandere, also known as the Museum of Flanders, is a French departmental museum located in the municipality of Cassel. It is situated at the Grand'Place, in the Nord department. This location is easily accessible and offers a rich cultural experience for visitors.

The Musée international d'Art naïf Anatole Jakovsky (Anatole Jakovsky International Museum of Naive Art) is a museum in Nice that exhibits 18th until 21st century works of art, with a focus on naive art. The collection of the Anatole Jakovsky International Museum of Naive Art contains paintings, scu

Musée Cantini (The Cantini Museum) is an art museum in Marseille that is mostly dedicated to paintings from the first half of the 20th century. Musée Cantini holds one of the largest collections of art from the 1900-1960 period. The colleciton includes works by Charles Camoin, Raoul Dufy, Albert Gle

The Paul Gauguin Interpretation Centre, situated in Le Carbet, Martinique, is a tribute to the renowned French painter Paul Gauguin's time spent on the island in 1887. This center provides an in-depth look into the life and works of Gauguin during his stay, offering visitors a unique opportunity to understand the artist's connection with the island.

The Ducastel-Véra Museum is a unique institution that brings together a diverse range of collections. Since 2021, it has housed the collections of the municipal museum, which includes Fine Arts from the 15th to the 20th century. Additionally, it is home to the Paul-and-André-Véra Museum, the royal apothecary, and the birthplace of Claude-Debussy. The museum also showcases the natural history collections of the city of Saint-Germain-en-Laye.

The American socialite, fashion icon and philanthropist Countess Mona von Bismarck donated her Parisian townhouse and the majority of her estate to found the Mona Bismarck Foundation. The Mona Bismarck American Center in Paris aims to engage visitors in a dialogue with the depth and diversity of the

The Musée des Beaux-Arts d'Agen is a significant cultural institution located in the city of Agen, in the Lot-et-Garonne department of France. The museum was established by the Société académique d’Agen, a scholarly society, in the year 1776 and was officially opened to the public in 1836.

The Jeanne-d'Arc Chapel, located in Thouars in the French department of Deux-Sèvres, is a neo-Gothic chapel that has been repurposed as a national contemporary art center. This transformation has allowed the chapel to maintain its historical significance while also serving as a platform for modern art.

The Musée des Beaux-Arts de Morlaix, also known as the Musée des Jacobins, is a museum located in the city of Morlaix in the Finistère region of Brittany. This museum is housed in a former Jacobin convent dating back to the 13th century, which was confiscated during the French Revolution. The museum was opened in 1887 and has been a significant cultural institution in the region ever since.

The Fine Arts Museum of Nimes is an art gallery situated in the French city of Nimes, within the Occitania region. This museum is a significant cultural institution in the city, offering visitors a chance to explore a wide range of artworks from various periods and regions.

The Faouët Museum is a painting museum situated in Le Faouët, a town in the Morbihan department of Brittany, France. The museum was inaugurated in 1987 and is housed in a former Ursuline convent dating back to the 17th century. This historical setting adds a unique charm to the museum, making it a fascinating destination for art and history enthusiasts.

The Musée du Touquet-Paris-Plage – Édouard Champion is situated in the city of Le Touquet-Paris-Plage, on the Côte d’Opale in Northern France, by the English Channel. This location offers visitors a chance to explore the rich artistic and cultural history of the region while enjoying the scenic beauty of the coastal city.

The Musée national Adrien-Dubouché is a French national museum that is dedicated to Limoges porcelain and the history of ceramics. It is located in Limoges, a city in the Haute-Vienne department of France. The museum is part of the Cité de la céramique - Sèvres et Limoges public establishment. It was founded in 1845 by Tiburce Morisot, the prefect of Haute-Vienne and father of the painter Berthe Morisot.

Institut d'Art Contemporain is a contemporary art center located in Villeurbanne, in Lyon. The Institute of Contemporary Art in Villeurbanne holds a collection of contemporary works by artists such as Alighiero Boetti, Daniel Buren and Yona Friedman.

Courses in drawing and painting are offered here in connection with a playful discovery of the history of art. Don't hesitate and visit!

The Petiet Museum, located in the town of Limoux in the Aude department, is an art museum dedicated to the second half of the 19th century. This museum is a testament to the artistic heritage of the Petiet family, who were art enthusiasts and painters themselves. The museum is housed in a large house in the center of Limoux, which was once the Petiet family's painting studio.

The Museum of Art and History, previously known as the Museum of Fine Arts, is situated in the Jean Lurçat Cultural Center in Saint-Lô. This museum is home to a significant collection of paintings from the 17th to the 20th century, some of which come from various donations. The museum also houses historical pieces such as the Thorigny marble, tapestries of Gombault and Macée's loves, a lapidary from the Notre-Dame church, and a 15th-century monetary treasure.

The Arras Museum of Fine Arts, established in 1795, is housed in the former Saint-Vaast Abbey in Arras, Pas-de-Calais, Hauts-de-France. This historic location adds a unique charm to the museum, making it a fascinating destination for art and history enthusiasts alike.

The Musée des Beaux-Arts de Valenciennes is a fine arts museum located in the French city of Valenciennes. It was established in 1801 and is housed in a building that dates back to 1909. This museum is a significant cultural institution in the city and offers a rich collection of fine arts for visitors to explore.

The Museum of History of Toulon and its region, previously known as the Museum of Old Toulon, is an institution dedicated to art and history. It is situated in the city of Toulon, in the Var department of France. The museum was established in 1949 and has since been a repository of art and historical documents related to Toulon and its surrounding region.

Frac Paca is an art museum/centre in Marseille that is devoted to the collect modern art from the region, display it and educate its visitors. Frac Paca covers a period from the 1960s and 1970s onwards from Nice to Marseille and the Mediterranean basin, but also includes some international art from

The Musee des Arts Asiatiques, situated in the "Jules Verne" villa in Toulon, is home to a diverse collection of Asian art. The exhibits are organized by geographical origin, providing visitors with a comprehensive overview of the artistic traditions of various Asian regions.