Alternative Day Out: 8 Museums You Never Knew Were in Paris

You've seen the Eiffel tower, the Arche de Triomphe, and the Louvre, but here's a few places you may have missed…

By Google Arts & Culture

By Dmitri KesselLIFE Photo Collection

You know the Louvre, the Centre Georges Pompidou, and the Eiffel Tower, but scroll on for some slightly less famous (but still fascinating!) museums around Paris. Click, drag, and use the arrows to go on an alternative day out!

Tap to explore

Cité nationale de l'histoire de l'immigration

Founded in 1989 by Algerian immigrant Zaïr Kedadouche, the museum found a home at the stunning former Palais de la Porte Dorée, and opened its doors in 2007. Today it runs exhibitions on the francophone world and diaspora communities within France.

Tap to explore

Musée d'art Brut et d'art Singulier

The Halle Saint-Pierre is home to the Musée d'art Brut et d'art Singulier. This small museum holds over 500 works of 'folk, naive, and outsider' art. It was established in 1986 by publisher Max Fourny in a former market hall, built in 1868 in the bohemian district of Montmartre.

Tap to explore

Musée d'Art et d'Histoire du Judaïsme

The Marais area of Paris has a long and rich association with Jewish culture. This museum celebrates that history, while documenting the trials and troubles that Jewish people have faced in France, from the medieval era to the Second World War.

Tap to explore

Musée Valentin Haüy

The Musée Valentin Haüy is one of the smaller to be found in the city. This specialist museum is dedicated to the tools, education, and history of the visually-impaired. Established in 1886, it takes its name from the founder of the first school for the blind.

Tap to explore

Institut Tessin

It might not look like much, but this small doorway opens onto the only Swedish cultural centre to be found outside of Sweden. Once you pass through this door you'll find a gallery, theatre, well-stocked library, and a Swedish café serving delicious delicacies. Skål!

Tap to explore

Maison européenne de la photographie

Perhaps this isn't such a surprise, after all photography as-we-know-it was invented in France in 1839 by Louis Daguerre. But the location of the MEP on the small backstreet of rue Francois Miron means it's often overlooked. Don't miss it, and don't forget to get a few photos.

Tap to explore

Musée de la Contrefaçon

The Museum of Counterfeits in the 16th arrondissement documents the history of fakery and forgery through all sorts of meticulously manufactured originals and counterfeits: from bootleg ancient Roman wines to knockoff Rolexes. Wait, isn't that your necklace?

Tap to explore

Musée du Service des Objets Trouvés

Hopefully this one will be new to you: the lost & found station for the Paris police. Besides all the wallets and umbrellas, they've found some more unusual items. If you're the owner of a missing lobster, fireman's helmet, or skull - you might want to visit their small museum.

Seine River with Eiffel Tower, Paris (2005-01-19) by ThinkstockGetty Images

Credits: All media
The story featured may in some cases have been created by an independent third party and may not always represent the views of the institutions, listed below, who have supplied the content.

Interested in Fashion?

Get updates with your personalized Culture Weekly

You are all set!

Your first Culture Weekly will arrive this week.

Home
Discover
Play
Nearby
Favorites