What Paris Museums are Open on Mondays?
If you’ve ever spent a Monday in Paris, you probably know the struggle: you’re ready to soak up art and history, but most museums, including the famous Louvre, are closed.
Don’t worry, though, the City of Light never truly sleeps when it comes to culture!
There are still plenty of fantastic museums open on Mondays, and some of them are absolute gems often overlooked by first-time visitors.
Whether you’re into impressionist paintings, modern art, or royal treasures, you’ll definitely find something to fill your Monday itinerary.
Here’s a list of the best museums open on Mondays in Paris, why they’re worth visiting, and what masterpieces you shouldn’t miss.
1. Musée d’Orsay
Let’s start strong.
The Musée d’Orsay is one of Paris’s most beloved museums, and yes, it’s open on Mondays!
Housed in a stunning former Beaux-Arts railway station along the Seine, this museum holds the world’s largest collection of Impressionist and Post-Impressionist masterpieces.
Inside, you’ll find works by Monet, Renoir, Degas, Cézanne, Van Gogh, and Manet, basically, a who’s who of 19th-century art.
Some of Orsay’s highlights include Monet’s Water Lilies, Van Gogh’s Starry Night Over the Rhône, and Degas’ Little Dancer of Fourteen Years.
The atmosphere here feels bright and spacious, with the natural light streaming through the glass roof adding a magical touch to the paintings.
If you’re looking for a museum that combines elegance, history, and iconic art, the Musée d’Orsay is your best Monday pick.
Plus, the café inside offers an incredible view of the Seine and the Louvre across the river.
2. Centre Pompidou
For a change of pace, head to the Centre Pompidou, Paris’s temple of modern and contemporary art.
Its futuristic, “inside-out” architecture might shock traditionalists, with its colorful pipes and exposed metal framework, but it perfectly represents the creative energy inside.
The Musée National d’Art Moderne, located within Pompidou, is Europe’s largest modern art museum and houses masterpieces by Picasso, Matisse, Dali, Kandinsky, and Miró.
You’ll see everything from abstract expressionism to surrealist installations, and even a few avant-garde video pieces that make you wonder what art really means.
Don’t miss the panoramic terrace on the top floor, which offers one of the best skyline views of Paris, with the Eiffel Tower perfectly framed in the distance.
The Pompidou is open every day except Tuesday, making it an excellent Monday option for art lovers looking for something bold and unconventional.
3. Musée de l’Orangerie
If you’re in the mood for a peaceful escape, the Musée de l’Orangerie is a must.
Located in the Tuileries Garden, right between the Louvre and Place de la Concorde, this museum is famous for housing Monet’s monumental Water Lilies series, displayed in two oval-shaped rooms designed by the artist himself.
Walking through these rooms feels like stepping into Monet’s garden in Giverny, the light, reflections, and colors create an almost meditative experience.
Besides Monet, the museum also showcases works from the Jean Walter and Paul Guillaume Collection, featuring pieces by Renoir, Cézanne, Matisse, Picasso, and Modigliani.
It’s a smaller museum compared to Orsay or the Louvre, which makes it perfect for a relaxed Monday morning visit before grabbing a coffee nearby at Café Angelina.
4. Musée Rodin
Few places in Paris are as romantic and serene as the Musée Rodin, and luckily, it’s open on Mondays!
Set in an elegant 18th-century mansion with a dreamy sculpture garden, this museum celebrates the life and work of Auguste Rodin, one of France’s greatest sculptors.
Here, you’ll find his most famous works, The Thinker, The Kiss, and The Gates of Hell, displayed both indoors and outdoors, surrounded by blooming roses and perfectly manicured lawns.
What makes the Musée Rodin so special is the atmosphere: it’s intimate, quiet, and feels more like a private home than a traditional museum.
You can wander through the rooms where Rodin once worked, and even see pieces from his muse and lover, Camille Claudel.
The garden alone is worth the visit; it’s one of the most peaceful spots in the city.
5. Musée du Quai Branly – Jacques Chirac
If you’re interested in non-European cultures, the Musée du Quai Branly offers something totally different.
Located just a short walk from the Eiffel Tower, this museum showcases fascinating collections from Africa, Asia, Oceania, and the Americas.
Its architecture, surrounded by lush greenery and glass walls, feels almost like an oasis in the middle of Paris.
Inside, you’ll find ancient masks, sculptures, and artifacts that tell stories of civilizations far beyond Europe.
Highlights include stunning African tribal masks, Polynesian sculptures, and Native American totems.
The museum’s goal is to celebrate the diversity of world cultures and challenge the Eurocentric view of art history, and it does so beautifully.
It’s a great Monday stop if you want to explore something educational, artistic, and totally different from the classic Parisian museums.
6. Petit Palais – Musée des Beaux-Arts de la Ville de Paris
Located just across from the Grand Palais, the Petit Palais is one of Paris’s most underrated museums, and it’s open on Mondays!
Built for the 1900 Universal Exhibition, this elegant building houses the Museum of Fine Arts, one of the museums in Paris that offers free permanent exhibitions (yes, free!).
The collection covers everything from Renaissance paintings to 19th-century masterpieces by Courbet, Delacroix, Monet, and Rodin.
The building itself is stunning, with a grand entrance, mosaics, and a peaceful courtyard garden perfect for a coffee break.
The Petit Palais is ideal if you’re looking for a beautiful, relaxed museum experience without the crowds, and its location on Avenue Winston Churchill makes it easy to combine with a walk along the Champs-Élysées or a visit to the Seine.
7. Fondation Louis Vuitton
If you want to mix art and architecture, head to the Fondation Louis Vuitton, located in the Bois de Boulogne park in western Paris.
Designed by Frank Gehry, this glass-and-steel structure looks like a futuristic sailboat floating among the trees.
The foundation focuses on contemporary art, hosting rotating exhibitions of major artists like Basquiat, Monet, Warhol, and Rothko.
Besides the art itself, the building is an attraction on its own, with incredible design details, reflective pools, and terraces that offer panoramic views of the city.
It’s a bit outside central Paris, but definitely worth the trip, especially if you enjoy architecture or large-scale modern art installations.
8. Musée Marmottan Monet
Tucked away in the quiet 16th arrondissement, the Musée Marmottan Monet is a hidden gem for art lovers.
As the name suggests, it’s home to the largest collection of Claude Monet’s works in the world, including the painting Impression, Sunrise, the piece that gave the Impressionist movement its name.
You’ll also find beautiful works by Berthe Morisot, Degas, and Renoir, displayed in what feels like a cozy private mansion.
It’s less crowded than the Orsay or the Orangerie, offering a more intimate experience with some of the most iconic Impressionist masterpieces.
And yes, it’s open on Mondays!
Final Thoughts
So, even though Monday might not seem like the best day for museum hopping in Paris, there’s still plenty of art to discover.
From the dreamy gardens of the Musée Rodin to the bold architecture of the Centre Pompidou, you can easily fill your day with incredible experiences.
Here’s a quick summary to plan your Monday:
Musée d’Orsay 7th arr. World’s best Impressionist art
Centre Pompidou 4th arr. Cutting-edge modern art & great views
Musée de l’Orangerie 1st arr. Monet’s Water Lilies
Musée Rodin 7th arr. Romantic sculpture gardens
Quai Branly 7th arr. Non-European art & culture
Petit Palais 8th arr. Free fine arts museum
Fondation Louis Vuitton 16th arr. Modern architecture & contemporary art
Marmottan Monet 16th arr. Monet’s masterpieces in a mansion
So next time you find yourself in Paris on a Monday, don’t panic, skip the Louvre crowds, and explore these incredible alternatives instead!
