Indoor Paris - too cold out!!

I would choose the Cluny and the Marmatton.

The Cluny, The Pomidou, The Orangerie, Dali Museum, Picasso Museum, Marmottan, Arts et Metiers, Musee de Montmartre. There's even Musee de l'Erotisme (Museum of Sex) in Pigalle which, while completely not appropriate for kids or uptight adults, is actually very interesting and a lot of fun. You won't be lacking in good museums to pop into while in Paris for a few days, regardless of what neighborhood you may be strolling.

If the subject interests you, I recommend the Musee National de la Marine (the naval museum) in the Palais de Chaillot, Trocadero, just across the river from the Eiffel Tower. I visit navy museums wherever I can, and I found that one to be particularly excellent. There are also a museum of architecture and one of ethnography in the same complex, but I haven't yet seen them.

Musée des Art Decoratifs , Musée Cognacq-Jay, Musée Jacquemart-André are three not to be missed.

Musee Nissim de Camondo, in the 8th next to Parc de Monceau. It was the home of a wealthy family and is wonderful. It's near Place de Rio de Janeiro which has a very good cafe called Le Valois.

Oh, I forgot that one, Susan. It has the most marvellous kitchen.

Definitely the Cluny and the Orangerie and the Opera house would be fun as well.

I would also agree with the Clune, the Marmotten, the Orangerie, the opera house. And how about Printemps or the Galeries Lafayette for shopping/looking. What about St. Chappelle; the Conciergerie; and Notre Dame?
Laduree for afternoon tea and macarons. Or Mariage Freres in the 6th for a luxurious tea experience.

I visited Musée d'Art et d'Histoire du Judaïsme which is close to the Pompidu Center when I visited Paris and found it very interesting. While trying to confirm its name I found this lovely site on the web. http://www.travelsignposts.com/Paris/paris_museumsunusual.php It's called Unusual Paris Museums and Galleries. Sounds perfect to me! Pam

The Cluny is one of our favourites. On the other bank, try the Jacquemart-Andre (a beautiful mansion with an excellent art collection), than walk a few blocks to Printemps Department Store's middle building and enjoy lunch under the beautiful dome. Opera Garnier is over-the-top opulence and they have English tours, Wednesday and Saturday I think. We have never been to the Marmatton, but it is supposed to have a superb collection of Monets and also a good collection of medieval items. We walked over to the Pantheon but didn't go inside since our time was limited. Good distant view of the ET from the front steps, if you then walk part way around to the left, the neighborhood heading back towards the Seine was very interesting-lots of quirky little shops and cafes. We then visited the Arena Lutece-very interesting and FREE!

The Cluny is my favorite museum in Paris. I also liked the Branly, which has primitive art. It's fairly close to the Rodin.

Versailles.

We visited the Petit Palais and really liked it. The Grand Palais is right across the street - didn't get there though I understand people like it. They were having a special impressionist exhibit (after we left Paris) - not sure if it's still there? We liked the Orangerie too.

Musee de l'Orangerie--Monet's floor to ceiling water lily paintings are breathtaking. Have fun on your trip.

We loved Versailles, but have been there twice, so will pass up this time to see something new. I am a big Monet fan, so I am very interested in the Marmottan museum now that someone mentioned it! Had forgotten all about that one. We'll probably pop into one of those stores for lunch and to pick up a few small items for Christmas presents. So no one recommends the Pantheon? My son showed an interest.

I like the Orangerie. Another museum I found very interesting is Memorial de la Shoah. If you have been to the Anne Frank house in Amsterdam, this museum could be of great interest. If I remember correctly there is no charge for this museum. It is in the Marais.

Another vote for the beautiful Orangerie, and the Grand Palais is currently having a very popular Monet exhibit - act fast for tickets.

Will try for the Orangerie. Heard a lot of good things about it as well. In fact, every museum that was mentioned had good reviews when I asked a couple French friends over here. Thanks all :-) Can't wait to be there! Hopefully no more snow by the time we land on the 15th.

If you are a Monet lover, do not skip the Marmottan, which has works showing the progress of his career, from the earliest to the latest. The Pantheon will be cold. And the best part is going out on top for the view. . . . After the Orangerie go to Angelina's for the best hot chocolate in Europe, and the pastries are as good.

No pantheon then. Thanks for that info. Cold is out. I guess we can go by and let him have a look from the outside? My kids actually enjoyed Les Invalides last January, which shocked me.