City: France
Top Things to do in France
10 Museums in France That You Shouldn't Miss
– in Europe (green & dark grey)
– in the European Union (green)
Restaurants in France
1. Musee d'Orsay
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 65,765 reviews
This beautiful museum, once a railroad station, now houses a staggering collection of Impressionist art, as well as other items created between 1848 and 1914. In 2011, the museum is running a renovation of the top floor (impressionist gallery). Only ground and medium floor are accessible. The top floor will re-open on the 20th of October. Meanwhile, some impressionist masterpieces are not visible.
Reviewed By 576elizabethc576 - Montpelier Station, United States
Excellent museum, incredible use of old train station space, loads and loads of lovely and important French art, easy to walk, large open spaces, good cafes, perfect light. We walked right in in June, no waiting, arrived at opening. Highly recommend.
2. Musee du Cinema et de la Miniature
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 4,980 reviews
This stately old building is located in Vieux Lyon.
Reviewed By Peta_and_Stu - Hobart, Australia
Please don't miss this fantastic museum. If you love movies and enjoy learning about the behind the scenes then you will enjoy this. The miniatures were outstanding, so realistic.
3. Musee de l'Hotel-Dieu
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 6,051 reviews
The Hôtel-Dieu is a former hospital founded in 1443 by Nicolas Rolin, chancellor of the Duke of Burgundy, and his wife, Guigone de Salins. It is only when you step into the main courtyard that you see the flamboyant roof with varnished tiles, a shining symbol of ducal Burgundy and now world famous. A classified historical monument : Take an audioguide and let Nicolas Rolin and Guigone de Salins walk you through the unique history and day to day life of the Hôtel-Dieu, from the 15th century to the present day! Their crowning achievement, this richly endowed hospital fondation, stays true to their original mission and still provides care for the sick. Museum / Cultural shop / Prestigeous area to hire out
Reviewed By BrookeMorales - London, United Kingdom
Took the tour of the museum, here in this small and charming town. The building is well preserved, stunning, painted roof tiles, a lovely courtyard and replicas of the hospice inside the museum. Very interesting how people were cared for, after a war, the sleeping areas, medical treatment and kitchen can all be seen in the museum.
4. Memorial de Caen
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 4,519 reviews
Located in the immediate vicinity of the D-Day Landing beaches, the Mémorial de Caen visitor centre is among the essential sites focusing on the Battle of Normandy and 20th century history. From the origins of the Second World War to the end of the Cold War, museographical displays tell this terrible side of 20th century history. Indeed, Caen, bombarded during the summer of 1944, a liberated yet martyred city, deserved a tribute well worthy of the suffering it endured. This is precisely the purpose of the Mémorial de Caen, but via a continuing perspective and action aimed at reconciliation.
Reviewed By nlansdell - Edinburgh, United Kingdom
This excellent museum charts the beginnings of, and causes behind, WW2 and the invasion of France - before detailing the events that led to its eventual liberation. It’s focus is on Normandy and Caen itself but it provides a good over view of the war in full and covers both the Pacific and African theatres. It also covers the holocaust. The material does not shy away from its subject and there are some graphic images of what took place and this includes film and pictures of dead combatants, hangings and executions - so please consider this if you are taking children. A film lasting 20 minutes brings everything together very well and I would recommend that not only that you do this at the end but that that you allow time for it. Your tickets last 24 hours so if you run out of time you can always pop back the next morning!
5. 24 Hours of Le Mans Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 876 reviews
Come and discover the exciting story of the 24 Heures du Mans and the legendary heroes. Through 120 vehicles, the Automobile Club de l'Ouest tells you the epic of the automobile in the Sarthe and the success of its international event. Bentley, Ferrari, Jaguar, Ford, Porsche, Matra, Audi ... all the big names are represented by their mythical models that immerse the visitor in the world's greatest endurance race. 300m² of temporary exhibitions complete this themed route, which can be continued by visiting the famous 24 Heures du Mans circuit.
Reviewed By Alexve1 - Redruth, United Kingdom
Called in on a European bike trip, well worth a visit if you are a petrol head, would definitely go again
6. Musee des Beaux-Arts de Dijon
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,609 reviews
Reviewed By Vacation37115 - Amsterdam, The Netherlands
A very nice museum, with a very interesting collection of paintings from the Middle Ages to the Renaissance. Don't miss the two richly decorated tombs !
7. Le Chateau du Clos Luce - Parc Leonardo da Vinci
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 6,037 reviews
At the invitation of Francis I, Leonardo da Vinci came to live at the Château du Clos Lucé and stayed here for the last three years of his life, devoting himself to perfecting his inventions. Leonardo was prolific and inspired, working as an engineer, architect and theatrical director, organising lavish festivities for the Court. At his residence 300 metres from the Château Royal, he drew up plans for a model château for Francis I in Romorantin and designed the double-helix open staircase in the Château de Chambord.The Château du Clos Lucé is dedicated to showing and explaining to the public the great knowledge acquired by the Italian Maestro.
Reviewed By 76marab - Green Mountain, United States
This wonderful look at the life and accomplishments of Leonardo Da Vinci as seen through a day in the life at his home (for the last three years of his life) Clos du Lucé is so lifelike it feels like he might be back for lunch. Period music is playing, his writing, experiments and painting supplies are all strewn about and admits to it all are little vignettes telling you more about his inventions and life. Many miniature models exists of his prototypes and as an added bonus, there are animated videos showing via computer graphics how some of the larger scale ones would have or did work. Life size models on campus as well. Great fun for all ages. Restaurant and gif5 shop on site at this park like setting.
8. Musee Departemental Arles Antique
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,590 reviews
Reviewed By Razorfish - Little Rock, United States
My wife and I visited the Musee Departemental Arles Antique during our two day trip to Arles this past March. It is a wonderful museum with a large number of archeological pieces (statues, sarcophagi, base reliefs, mosaics, etc.). The best feature is the Roman barge that was dug out of the Rhône River and the video of its restoration. It is well worth spending 2 or 3 hours in to gain a better understanding of historic Arles.
9. Musee de la Tapisserie de Bayeux
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 8,062 reviews
This museum houses the famous Bayeux Tapestry, a 70-m long piece of embroidery that graphically tells the story of the 1066 Battle of Hastings.Listed UNESCO Memory of the World. Duration of visit about 1h30. Annual closure in January
Reviewed By joand143 - London, United Kingdom
Incredible visit Brings to life this amazing tapestry and the history behind it Beautifully presented and explained
10. Musee Fabre
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,579 reviews
Reviewed By Lefourragere
The musee Fabre is a fantastic destination in Montpellier, we paid 10 euros and saw the Picasso exhibition which was well presented and certainly showed his sense of humour, the ticket gives entry to the permanent collection which starts off with some exhibits on art restoration then the gallery unfolds over many floors with room after room of wonderful paintings, - I think the ticket allows you to go back as you might need to explore in stages, entry to the maison sebattiere is included, and whilst attractive is relatively small and won't take long! It shouldn't be a surprise to find something of the quality of the Fabre in Montpellier, there should just be more like it!
