Can't get into the Louvre? Try these 10 surprising "small but beautiful" museums in Paris

By Rita

Many people think a trip to Paris isn’t complete without seeing the Mona Lisa—what do you think? Instead of being stuck behind crowds just three meters from the Mona Lisa, many opt for something else and end up discovering so many small yet wonderful museums. Friends, why not check out the"10 Best Small Museums in Paris"—you might find their surprises exceed your expectations!

▲ Musée Carnavalet (Photo / Musée Carnavalet - Histoire de Paris)

1. Musée Carnavalet
It’s Paris’s first municipal museum, offering a detailed account of the city’s past—from everyday objects to historic treasures—with around 600,000 items on display, located in the Marais district not far from the shopping area.

▲ The Pagoda Paris (Photo / Pagoda Paris Facebook page)

2. The Pagoda Paris
Located in the 8th arrondissement, this six-story building was converted into a museum in 1925 by the famous Chinese collector and antique dealer C.T. Loo. Most of the exhibits are part of his collection—such as terracotta figurines, jade artifacts, and porcelain. The interior carvings are a major highlight, offering not only luxury but also features like Shanxi lacquered panels, hardwood floors, and glass-decorated ceilings.

▲ Musée Nissim de Camondo (Photo / Wikipedia)

3. Musée Nissim de Camondo
A short walk from the Pagoda Paris will take you to the Musée Nissim de Camondo, which displays artifacts from Paris’s Belle Époque era. This mansion belonged to the wealthy banker Moïse de Camondo and served as a place for him to showcase his collection. Here you can see rare Sèvres porcelain, Savonnerie carpets, and plenty of gilded furniture.

▲ Musée Gustave Moreau (Photo / Musée Gustave Moreau Facebook page)

4. Musée National Gustave Moreau
This quirky art museum houses many of Gustave Moreau’s own collections. Its walls feature large-scale paintings set against strikingly bright background colors.

▲ Villa La Roche (Photo / Wikipedia)

5. Villa La Roche
A pilgrimage site for architects around the world, it currently serves as the base for the Fondation Le Corbusier, housing over 8,000 original manuscripts, architectural plans, and the original furnishings of the building.

▲ Musée Zadkine (Photo / Wikipedia)

6. Musée Zadkine
This is the former home of Russian sculptor Ossip Zadkine (1890–1967) and houses many works by the artist. The lush park surrounding it features numerous Cubist stone and metal statues, and it's located near the Luxembourg Gardens.

▲ Musée Cognacq-Jay (Photo / Wikipedia)

7. Musée Cognacq-Jay
Cognacq-Jay was the founder of Paris’s luxury department store La Samaritaine. This museum mainly displays the collection of him and his wife, featuring paintings by renowned artists and fine jewelry.

▲ Musée Bourdelle (Photo / Wikipedia)

8. Musée Bourdelle
This museum is one of the rare places that preserves the workshop of sculptor Antoine Bourdelle—who was a student of Rodin—in its original state. It also gives a glimpse into what art studios in Paris were like at the turn of the 19th and 20th centuries. It houses more than 500 pieces.

▲Medieval Museum (Photo / Wikipedia)

9. Musée de Cluny (National Museum of the Middle Ages)
This museum looks even larger than a castle, but very few tourists visit. It houses medieval artifacts, religious relics, and more.

▲Jacquemart-André Museum (Photo / Jacquemart-André Museum fan page)

10. Musée Jacquemart-André
This was the private mansion of the wealthy couple Edouard André and his wife, who traveled the world collecting art. After André’s death, his wife donated the estate, whose collection had reached museum standards, to the Institut de France. Another highlight is the winter garden, which features many exotic potted plants.