Set in the wing of the Senate that borders the Luxembourg Gardens, this was the very first museum in France to open to the public, long before the Louvre. With no permanent collection, it now hosts major painting exhibitions, easy to pair with a stroll in the gardens next door.
The museum at a glance
Opened in 1750, it was France's first public museum, half a century before the Louvre. Housed in a wing of the Palais du Luxembourg, seat of the Senate, it is run by the Réunion des musées nationaux - Grand Palais and shows only temporary painting exhibitions, with no permanent collection.
Don't miss
The programme, renewed every season, features the great names of painting. On your way out, the Luxembourg Gardens unfold with their central pond, iconic chairs and bandstand, while the Palais du Luxembourg can be admired from the railings.
Visiting tips
A timed ticket is advisable for the busiest exhibitions, and weekday mornings are much quieter. The museum closes between exhibitions, so check the dates on the official website before you go.
Close by
The Luxembourg Gardens, with their pond, beehives and orchards, are a Paris institution. The Medici Fountain hides in the shade of the chestnut trees, and the museum stands on rue de Vaugirard, the longest street in Paris.
