Olympic Museums and Libraries of Paris

Paris, the City of Light, is not only known for its romantic ambiance and stunning architecture but also for its rich cultural heritage. The city boasts some of the world’s most renowned museums and libraries, offering a treasure trove of art, history, and literature. Here are some of the greatest museums and libraries you must visit in Paris:

Museums

Large historical building with arched windows, stonework, courtyard, columns, and dormer-windowed roof

Musée Carnavalet

Established in 1880, located in two historic mansions. This museum is dedicated to the history of Paris, with exhibits on the French Revolution, Parisian daily life, and the city’s evolution, featuring paintings, sculptures, and historical artifacts.

Grand interior with marble columns, decorative staircase, skylight, statues, plants, and detailed mosaics.

Musée Jacquemart-André

Opened in 1913, located in a 19th-century mansion on Boulevard Haussmann. The museum features an impressive collection of European art, including works by Rembrandt, Botticelli, and Fragonard. The mansion’s opulent interiors add to the museum’s charm.

Musée Jacquemart-André

Louvre

The Louvre in Paris, France, initially built in the 12th century, features a blend of Renaissance and modern architecture. The iconic glass pyramid entrance, designed by I.M. Pei, was added in 1989. It is the world's largest art museum and a historic monument in Paris.

Curved gallery room with panoramic paintings on white walls and a spacious floor.

Musée de l'Orangerie

Opened in 1927, located in the Tuileries Garden. The museum is renowned for housing Claude Monet’s Water Lilies murals and an impressive collection of Impressionist and post-Impressionist works by artists such as Cézanne, Renoir, and Matisse.

Vaulted hall with ornate glass ceiling in museum, filled with exhibits, sculptures, and visitors.

Musée d'Orsay

Established in 1986, located in a former Beaux-Arts railway station. It features the largest collection of Impressionist and post-Impressionist masterpieces in the world, with works by Monet, Van Gogh, Degas, and more.

A well-lit gallery with polished floors displaying marble and bronze sculptures and adjacent gallery view.

Musée Rodin

Established in 1919, located in the Hôtel Biron. This museum is dedicated to the works of the French sculptor Auguste Rodin, showcasing his sculptures, drawings, and personal collection, including The Thinker and The Gates of Hell.

Glass-walled building with event signage, people nearby, and Eiffel Tower in the distant background.

Musée du Quai Branly – Jacques Chirac

Established in 2006, designed by Jean Nouvel. This museum focuses on non-European art and cultures, with a collection of over 370,000 objects from Africa, Asia, Oceania, and the Americas, including masks, textiles, and sculptures.

Historic building with columns, large dome, ornate stonework, classical design, and partly cloudy sky.

Petit Palais

Opened in 1900, designed by Charles Girault. The museum features fine arts, decorative arts, and sculptures from antiquity to the early 20th century, with works by artists such as Poussin, Courbet, and Delacroix.

Musée Jacquemart-André

Established in 1913, located in a 19th-century mansion. This museum features a remarkable collection of art, including Italian Renaissance paintings, French 18th-century art, and Flemish masterpieces, collected by Edouard André and Nélie Jacquemart.

Libraries

Narrow Paris street with traditional buildings, stone facades, parked scooters, and Eiffel Tower.

American Library in Paris

Established in 1920, located near the Eiffel Tower. This independent library offers an extensive collection of English-language books, periodicals, and digital resources, and provides cultural programs, author events, and educational activities.

Large stone building with classical architecture, flag above entrance, cobblestone street with trees

Bibliothèque de l'Arsenal

Opened in 1797, located in a former arsenal. This library is part of the Bibliothèque Nationale de France and features a rich collection of literature, manuscripts, and historical documents, with a focus on French literature and history.

Bibliothéque Forney

Founded in 1886, located in the Hôtel de Sens. Specializing in decorative arts, crafts, and graphic design, the library features a diverse collection of books, periodicals, and prints, and hosts exhibitions and workshops.

Bibliothèque François Villon

Bibliothèque Historique de la Ville de Paris

Established in 1871, located in the Marais district. This library specializes in the history of Paris, offering a vast collection of books, maps, prints, and photographs, and hosting exhibitions and events related to the city’s heritage.

Bibliothèque Marguerite Durand

Established in 1931, located in the 13th arrondissement. Specializing in women’s history and feminism, the library features a comprehensive collection of books, periodicals, and archives, and supports research and cultural activities related to gender studies.

Historic library interior with desks, green-shaded lamps, wooden chairs, chandeliers, and busts.

Bibliothèque Mazarine

Bibliothèque Nationale de France

Founded in 1368, with the main site located at the François-Mitterrand Building. This national library is one of the largest in the world, holding over 40 million items, including books, manuscripts, maps, and prints, and offers extensive research resources and exhibitions.

Spacious library with tall bookshelves, ornate wall decor, painted columns, arched doorways, and clock.

Bibliothèque Sainte-Barbe

Reopened in 2009, located in the Latin Quarter. This modern academic library, housed in a former 16th-century building, offers extensive study resources, digital collections, and a vibrant cultural program.

Grand library with ornate vaulted ceilings, arched windows, aligned bookshelves, and illuminated desks.

Bibliothèque Sainte-Geneviève

Opened in 1851, located in the Latin Quarter. This historic library, designed by Henri Labrouste, features a vast collection of books, manuscripts, and periodicals, and is renowned for its beautiful reading room and extensive academic resources.

Paris’s museums and libraries offer an unparalleled cultural and educational experience, showcasing the city’s rich artistic and intellectual heritage. Whether you’re an art lover, history enthusiast, or literature aficionado, these institutions provide a deep dive into the world’s cultural treasures.