Museums in Paris Region
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Which will be your favourite museum or cultural site?
Check out the museums for a cultural experience in Paris Region
Alone or with your family or friends, go and see the exhibitions and collections of the Paris Region’s museums. A wide-ranging programme of cultural tours, some of which deserve to be better known, are what make the French capital so fascinating.
Is your brain yearning for a new dose of knowledge and historic facts? Or perhaps you just want to get out of the Parisian rain? Île-de-France is packed with museums and other cultural sites that can take you on a journey, make you daydream and spark your imagination. Especially in the heart of the City of Light, a must for any culture buff. A fascinating collection of artworks and designer items awaits you in Paris Region, along with theatres, opera houses and other amazing venues.
Artists under the spotlight at the museums of Paris Region
Art and History go so well together
Are you an art enthusiast? The huge variety of museums in Paris Region beckons you. From the precision of Monet’s paintings to the abstract style of Picasso, travel through the centuries and the entire world’s different artistic movements.
For an experience that combines painting, sculpture, archaeology and other art forms, head for the Louvre museum. This world-famous museum at the heart of Paris Region has housed a huge array of artworks since the 18th century. See if you can out-stare Leonardo da Vinci’s Mona Lisa! Admire the enigmatic curves of the Aphrodite of Melos. Or relive the history of France as you gaze at Liberty Leading the People. Thought you knew all there is to know about the paintings exhibited at the Louvre Museum? Then you’ll be amazed by the abundance of eclectic and often little-known collections that breathe life into this museum.
Museums across the entire Paris Region
Of course, the Louvre isn’t the only great museum in Paris Region. The Île-de-France cultural scene boasts plenty of other exhibitions. The Orangerie, Fine Arts and Orsay museums, for example, shouldn’t fail to inspire you.
Some great artists delighted at getting away from the hustle and bustle of Paris. To follow in their footsteps, head for the Château d’Auvers-sur-Oise. A tour of this monument plunges visitors into an experience of the senses amid the works of great impressionists like Pissarro, Monet, Van Gogh and Gauguin. Admirers of the Symbolists will no doubt opt for the Maurice Denis museum whose paintings are displayed alongside those of Sérusier, Bonnard and Ranson.
Interested in the fine arts and sculpture? Hurry, book your slot! If you’re planning to bring the family, you might be interested in the workshops that are sometimes available for children. Don’t forget to check the website of your chosen museum for details.
When design comes to the museum
When it comes to design, the museum of Decorative Arts in the 1st arrondissement of Paris is the place to go. Follow in the footsteps of designers from France and the entire world. A rare opportunity to see the famous Louis Ghost Chair designed by Philippe Starck as well as his Juicy Salif, a modern-style citrus squeezer.
Your favourite art has more to do with needles and pins? The museum also plunges you into the world of fashion and graphic design. Its outfits and other textile creations are exhibited in ways you’ve never seen before. The ideal visit for students in search of inspiration, especially as the tour is free for anyone under 26 years of age.
Paris Region cultural sites tell you their history
In Paris, some cultural sites are a combination of museum and entertainment venue. The **theatres and opera houses play an important role in France’s liveliest city. The ever-festive capital hosts national and international stars.
The Palais Garnier opera house, for example, offers performers and spectators a royal setting in which to appreciate its fine selection of ballets. Both the exterior and the interior are absolutely sublime.
The dwellings of certain artists have also been converted into cultural venues for curious visitors. Go behind the scenes of French plays at the Raymond Devos museum, housed in the home of this master of words. Or visit the house of Zola which is now a museum.
For a programme that’s every bit as fascinating, step into the history of cinema by visiting the Grand Rex cinema and studios. This cinema like no other is well worth your time. Located on the main boulevards of the 2nd arrondissement of Paris, this colossal cultural venue takes you into a whole new world. The rooftops, façades and interior of the Grand Rex offer some amazing 3D, 4D, and 4DX images. Visit its most hidden corners and round off your evening by enjoying a good film in the comfort of the cinema seats.
You see, there really is so much to do in Paris Region. From the canvas to the stage and the silver screen, art takes a variety of forms. Simply choose whichever inspires you most.
The history of France and its legacy in the museums of Paris Region
Paris is a capital city that has had both its dark events and its glory days. Of this history remains a strength envied the world over. But do you really know why? The history museums of Paris Region tell you all you ever wanted to know about the region’s past.
At the Hôtel des Invalides, the Army Museum invites you to step into the shoes of a French soldier. The weapons and prison cells plunge visitors into the Napoleonic period and the military past of France.
For an immersive experience, try the Cité de l’Histoire museum. Here you’ll relive, through interactive exhibitions, the turbulent period of the French Revolution and other key events in the history of Paris Region. Meet the great men and women who have shaped the history of France.
Aviation enthusiasts should visit the Air and Space Museum, one of the biggest museums devoted entirely to the aeronautical world. From the first aircraft to space exploration, this old Parisian airport pays a worthy tribute to the men and women who contributed to the technological feat of taking to the skies.
Whatever your preference, Paris Region has all the museums and cultural venues you could wish for. Embark on a fabulous adventure between art and history, with an added touch of mystery.
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- Copyright image: © Valentin Pacaut/The Explorers