If you only dreamed about visiting France’s world renowned art museums, here you’ll have an amazing time. To home the museum lovers, France, with its rich cultural history, historical legacy and famous art collections, is one of the best tourists’ destinations. French museums are not only the place to appreciate the masterpieces at the Louvre in Paris, nor the place to discover Impressions at the Musée d’Orsay, nor the place to experience the most current at the Centre Pompidou they are an unparalleled window on the history of French art.

Preparing for a perfect museum tour in France might seem difficult, but with some tips you can have a successful tour. We will help you go from securing France Visa to choosing the best museums and even creating an itinerary that strikes the balance between art and relaxation. No matter how much of an art buff or adventurer you are, France will not disappoint with a journey all its own.

Picking the Ideal Museums to Visit

There are hundreds of museums across the country and it is important to select those that interest you.

Some of the must visit museums in France are:

Louvre Museum (Paris):

The Louvre is the largest and most famous museum in the world, with such famous works as Mona Lisa and Venus de Milo. There’s a good chance your visit will span half a day if you aim to explore this mass collection of art covering ancient civilizations right up to the Renaissance.

Musée d’Orsay (Paris): And it is housed in a former railway station, which features a collection of Impressionist and Post-Impressionist masterpieces from artists such as Monet, Van Gogh, Degas, etc.

Centre Pompidou (Paris): A must visit for the contemporary art enthusiasts is this modern art museum. The architectural design is unique and its collection is vast, with 20th and 21st century art.

Musée de l’Orangerie (Paris): The Musée de l’Orangerie is a peaceful museum in the Tuileries Gardens and houses Claude Monet’s stunning Water Lilies series.

Musée Picasso (Paris): This museum is a treasure trove of modern art dedicated to the life and work of Pablo Picasso.

Musée des Beaux-Arts (Lyon): Lyon’s fine arts museum, however, if you’re exploring outside Paris, is worth a trip if your passion is for fine arts, covering from the Ancient Egypt to modern art.

Plan Your Itinerary

France’s museums can be scattered across different cities so it will be helpful if you create a solid itinerary. A few planning tips are as follows:

Time Allocation: Different museums can take the whole day to explore a place like the Louvre, while other might take only a few hours. Make sure that you will spend enough time for each visit.

Museum Pass: If you are going to visit several museums in one city, then a Paris Museum Pass or the like will be a more convenient and economical option. They provide you passes through which you can bypass the lines and also have free access into many museums for a duration.

Opening Hours: Before you visit, always check each museum’s opening hours. One day a week, usually Mondays or Tuesdays, many museums in France are closed.

Soothe the lines with Advanced Booking.

Booking tickets in advance at popular museums like the Louvre is a wise idea to avoid waiting long times at the line. Almost all museums will provide you with online booking options that will let you choose a particular time slot. That way you don’t have to get frustrated by being stuck in long queues and simply get right to the art.

Furthermore, support some museums have skip-the-line tickets that may be worth considering in case you have no time at all.

Explore Beyond Paris

Paris is the obvious beginning of a museum tour through France, but don’t forget about the museums in other regions of the country. Lyon, Marseille, Nice and Toulouse all have good museums, which highlight aspects of French art and history that are unique.

The Musée Matisse in Nice is devoted to the works of Henri Matisse, while the Musée Marc Chagall in Nice is devoted to the art of the famous Russian-French artist.

Make Time for Special Exhibitions of the Museum

There are many temporary exhibitions in France all through the year. Methods 3 and 4: Check the museum’s website if there are specific artists or themes that drive you to visit with special exhibitions taking place during the visit. This can bring up a new aspect to your museum tour and can even give a rare bit of art.

Practical Tips for Your Museum Tour

Wear Comfortable Shoes: Walking is a part of the museum tours so make sure you wear comfortable shoes.

Audio Guides: Audio guides are offered by many museums in several languages that will help you to understand the historical as well as artistic meaning of the works you are viewing.

Museum Cafes: If you had a long day at the museum exploring art, a much needed and enjoyed coffee awaits you in one of the museums cafés. There are many beautiful views and inviting atmosphere for you to unwind in many French museums.

Photography: Stage your shot accordingly, and always double check that you are in some museum photography may be prohibited. Although it’s not possible to take pictures of the interior architecture and courtyards, there are plenty of opportunities to photograph the exterior architecture.

Do not forget to apply for your France visa.

Before going to the museum tour, keep in mind that if you are traveling to France from outside the Schengen Area, you will need to apply for a France Visa. Typically, you have to submit proof of accommodation, travel insurance and enough money to spend on your trip. Make sure you apply well in advance if you don’t want to have any problems with it last minute.

If you are a resident of the UAE then you can also apply for France Visa from UAE from French consulate or the French authorized visa agency. Most of the process is straightforward, though always check the specific requirements according to your nationality.

Conclusion:

A museum tour in France is a one time in a lifetime opportunity to get immersed in the world’s best art collections. Whether you are enchanted by the classical masterpieces of Paris or travelling the region, any day of the year there is something for every art lover. If you plan ahead, book tickets in advance and keep on a slow and comfortable pace, you can make it a pleasure and enriching. Your museum journey will be truly unforgettable and France’s cultural treasures await you, if you know how to approach it.

Before you embark on this journey, do not forget to apply for one of your France Visa to make sure that you can enter the country without any problems. If you are a resident of UAE, then applying for a France Visa from UAE will be a hassle free process as long as you have the right documentation and are able to secure your France visa. Have a safe and wonderful museum tour across France!!!