Didn’t get to see many museums my first time in so I’m going back in December for 4-5 days of art and history. Any suggestions for the best arrondissement to use as my home base? Intetested in any and all of Louvre, Invalides, Musee d’Orsay, Carnavalet, Picasso, Rodin and whatever else I find out about. I’m planning on coming home tired but would like to be close to at least part of what I want to see. Thanks!
Posted by
Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, USA
13968 posts
To me the Metro is so good it doesn't matter where you stay for accessing museums.
Just an FYI, Carnavalet is closed until 2019.
http://www.carnavalet.paris.fr/en/homepage
You could add in the Cluny Museum which I enjoy a lot. The tapestries, Lady and the Unicorn are there.
A Paris Museum Pass might work for you as well. Click on the Museums and Monuments you can access with the pass on the website. No need to buy it ahead. You can buy it at one of the less busy museums on your first day. I used to pick mine up at Les Invalides but also discovered that the Tabac (tobacco shop) down the street from my hotel sells them as well.
Posted by
Ontario, Canada
4885 posts
Most of the museums are clustered (more r less) in the first 7 arrondissements. As long as you're in on of these, I think it's more important to have proximity to at least one metro station than to be in any one particular arrondissement. But if you want a really central location, try overaying a Google map of the museums with one of the metro stops.
Posted by
South Florida
776 posts
Have you located your "art choices" on a map? Have you figured out how you're going to get around? Have you settled on an accommodation budget? Have you figured out which museums will be open or closed and their respective hours of admission by looking at their websites?
Posted by
Corvallis OR
7036 posts
I stayed in the Marais near the Hotel de Ville metro and I was within walking distance to Louvre, Pompidou, d'Orsay, Cluny, Picasso, and Carnavalet (although as other poster noted it's closed now). Easy to get to Rodin and les Invalides by metro and walking a few blocks.
Posted by
Panguitch, Utah
2549 posts
As long as you are staying in Paris, where specifically is not particularly important. The locations you mention are rather well spread out and public transportation is very comprehensive.
Posted by
white plains, ny, usa
4140 posts
The Jacquemart - Andre is also a charmer , and as with all the other Paris museums, pay special attention to whatever special and/or temporary exhibits may be running . The Marmottan is another worth considering .
Posted by
white plains, ny, usa
4140 posts
Since I am headed to Paris next week for ten days before returning home , I looked into what might be at the Jacquemart Andre , and Eureka ! - https://www.musee-jacquemart-andre.com/en/node/2143
Posted by
New York, NY, USA
11294 posts
Besides the ones on your list, and the ones mentioned above, look into the Petit Palais (free), the Orangerie, the Modern Art Museum at the Pompidou, and the Marmottan, among others.
I agree that I wouldn't pick an arrondissement based on going to museums - any of the central ones will be convenient, while the outer ones will be less convenient (longer metro rides) but cheaper.