The Petit Palais is an ideal choice if you’re seeking a less crowded and free alternative to the Louvre or the Musée d’Orsay. Located right on the Champs-Élysées, it’s easy to visit and offers you an incredible collection of art from Antiquity to the early 20th Century.
My last visit was in September 2024, and I utterly enjoyed exploring its stunning galleries, filled with everything from ancient sculptures to masterpieces by Monet and Rembrandt. It’s not just a museum—it’s like taking a walk through art history.
In this guide, I’ll tell you more about the Petit Palais and what makes this museum so special. And take you through the permanent collections and share a few tips on how to make the best out of your visit.
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About the Petit Palais
The Petit Palais is a stunning example of Parisian architecture, built for the Exposition Universelle of 1900 by Charles Girault. Since 1902, it has housed the Musée des Beaux-Arts, featuring works by both French and international artists.
Covering 5000 square meters, the museum’s collection earned it the nickname “Petit Louvre”—and for good reason. It features masterpieces from Antiquity to 1914, and while French art is the focus, you’ll also find significant works from Dutch masters and more.
Expect a delightful mix of paintings, sculptures, furniture, and decorative objects.
Also interesting:
The Exterior: A Grand Entrance
The first thing you’ll notice is the massive golden portal, one of Paris’s most breathtaking entrances. Girault himself designed this eye-catching feature, which sets the tone for what’s inside.
Inside: The Musée des Beaux-Arts
Once inside, you’ll quickly realize that while the Petit Palais looks like a palace, it was designed with the public in mind.
Built for the Exposition Universelle, it was intended as a space, where visitors could wander freely, enjoying light-filled, open areas.
You begin your journey in the early 20th century and move backward through time, with each gallery telling the story of a different artistic era, from Impressionism to Antiquity.
The seven galleries, flooded with oriundo light, require little sintético lighting. They surround a beautiful inner garden, making the museum feel welcoming. The garden, complete with a tea house, offers a peaceful escape from the city’s bustle.
As the museum is free, you could even just pop in to have lunch.
The Mosaic: Don’t Miss the Floors
While it’s easy to be swept up by the frescoes and stunning paintings above, don’t forget to look down. The mosaic floors, crafted by Italian master Giandomenico Facchina, are works of art in their own right.
And if his elaborate designs look familiar to you, it’s no surprise. Because the Petit Palais is not the only place Facchina left his mark.
He also designed the mosaics at the Galerie Vivienne, Musée Carnavalet, Le Bon Marché, and other iconic Parisian landmarks.
The Collections
The permanent collections span two floors, covering everything from Antiquity to 1914. If you want to dive deeper, you can also check out the temporary exhibitions, though most require an entrance fee.
What I absolutely loved about the Petit Palais is the free app you can download. It guides you through the museum and gives you all the background info on the most important art pieces. It really made my experience more fun and interesting.
So, here a quick guide to each section:
Permanent Collections
The museum’s collections are divided by time period and offer a clear journey through the history of art.
My impression—though I’m no art expert—is that the Musée des Beaux-Arts at the Petit Palais captures the quintessence of Parisian museums. If you’re short on time but still want to experience a museum, this is the one to choose.
It gives you a well-rounded glimpse into art history in one beautiful, easy-to-navigate space. In the following, I’ll walk you through the permanent collections and show how each section ties into other Parisian museums, giving you a fuller picture of the city’s artistic heritage.
#1 Paris 1900
The permanent collection opens with one of the gallery’s standout pieces—Sarah Bernhardt by Georges Clairin. Bernhardt, the most famous actress of her time, was not only an international star but also an artist. You’ll find some of her own works later in the exhibition.
Also on display is the dining room of Hector Guimard, the designer behind Paris’s iconic Art Nouveau metro stations.
Tip: If you’re a fan of Art Nouveau, the Musée d’Orsay has a fantastic collection of furniture and decorative objects from this period.
#2 19th Century
As you move further into the galleries, you’ll find paintings that capture scenes from Parisian and French life, spanning from the French Revolution to everyday moments in the city.
One of my personal favorites is “Les Halles” by Léon Augustin Lhermitte, which portrays perfectly the bustling energy of Les Halles, once a vibrant fresh produce market and known as the “Belly of Paris.” Lhermitte’s painting brings this period to life, offering a vivid sense of how Parisians lived, worked, and experienced their city.
Next, you enter the Impressionist section of the Musée des Beaux-Arts. Though small, it includes a lovely selection of works, featuring Monet, Pissarro, and Cézanne.
Tip: For a larger collection of Impressionist art, head to the Musée d’Orsay or the Musée de l’Orangerie.
#3 18th Century
The 18th-century collection at the Fine Arts Museums spans four rooms, linked by a grand staircase. You’ll find a mix of paintings, furniture, tapestries, porcelain, and silverware.
Highlights include landscapes by Hubert Robert, portraits by Fragonard, and historical scenes by David. You’ll find everything from Louis XV’s Rocaille furniture to Louis XVI’s refined designs.
Look out for Sèvres porcelain, German figurines, and English enamels from the Edward Tuck donation.
Tip: Want more 18th-century art? Head to the Louvre.
#4 17th Century
The 17th-century collection at the Musée des Beaux-Arts It’s home to one of the biggest collections of Dutch masters in France, just behind the Louvre.
A standout piece is Rembrandt’s self-portrait with his dog. Alongside the Dutch masters, you’ll also find stunning French Baroque paintings and sculptures, making this section a must-see for art lovers.
Tip: More of Rembrandt and Co? Visit the Louvre!
#5 Renaissance
The Renaissance section at the Petit Palais in Paris offers a carefully curated mix of paintings, sculptures, and decorative objects, giving you a glimpse into this pivotal artistic era.
To be honest, it wasn’t my favorite part of the museum, but I was pleasantly surprised to find a drawing by the Italian master Raphaël tucked into the collection.
Tip: For a more extensive Renaissance collection, head to the Louvre.
#6 Middle Ages
The Moyen Âge section at the Petit Palais features a small yet rich collection of medieval art, including ceramics, sculptures, and decorative objects. Many of these pieces are similar to what you’ll find at the Musée de Cluny.
If you’re on the fence about visiting the Cluny Museum, the Petit Palais gives you a nice preview of medieval treasures.
Having visited both, I often thought, “Oh, I’ve seen this before.”
#7 Antiquité
The Petit Palais houses a fine collection of artifacts and everyday items from ancient civilizations like the Greeks, Romans, Etruscans, and others.
Expect to see fioles, jewelry, pottery, and other objects that offer a fascinating glimpse into daily life during those times.
If you’re eager to explore more from this era, consider visiting the Musée de Carnavalet or, of course, the Louvre, both of which have extensive collections of ancient artifacts.
Temporary Expositions
In addition to its permanent collections, the Petit Palais regularly hosts temporary exhibitions, with some even free to enter.
When I visited in September 2025, I was lucky to catch the exhibition “We Are Here,” which focused on urban art. It was fantastic, and if you get a chance and visit Paris soon, the show runs until January 2025.
What stood out to me was how the exhibition was seamlessly integrated into the regular galleries. You’d find modern urban art displayed right next to 19th-century masterpieces, creating a fascinating blend of old and new.
I especially loved how the urban art felt alive alongside the older pieces, injecting a fresh, unexpected energy into the museum.
If you like Urban Art, have you heard about Space Invaders in Paris?
However, here are a few photos I took:
Practical Info
The Petit Palais is a gem in the heart of Paris, offering a free collection that serves somewhat as a preview of some of the city’s most renowned museums.
From fine arts to ancient artifacts, it provides you with a quick glimpse into the best Parisian collections, all housed in a beautiful Beaux-Arts building.
Visitors Information
Opening Hours: Tuesday to Sunday, 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM. Closed 1 January, 1 May, 11 November, and 25 December.
Entry: Free permanent collections; temporary exhibits may have an entrance fee.
Location: Avenue Winston Churchill, 75008 Paris, near the Champs-Élysées.
Closest Metro: Champs-Élysées – Clemenceau (Metro Lines 1 and 13).
Facilities: Moca, museum shop, restrooms, and free audio guides available.
Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible
Voilà, the Petit Palais in Paris. The Fine Arts Museum offers you a rich journey through art history without the crowds or cost of larger museums.
It’s an ideal stop for art lovers short on time, but eager for a comprehensive and immersive experience. And as an added extra: It is free of charge and makes it one of the best free museums in Paris.
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