Exploring Paris’s Museums And Galleries

Some of the oldest, the newest, and certainly some of the finest museums and galleries are found in Paris – many are superb works of art in their own right. They house some of the greatest and strangest collections in the world. Some of the buildings complement their themes, such as the Roman baths and Gothic mansion which form the Musée de Cluny, or the Pompidou Centre, a modern masterpiece. Elsewhere there is pleasing contrast, such as the Picassos in their gracious 17th-century museum, and the Musée d’Orsay housed in its grand old railroad station. Together they make an unrivaled feast for visitors.

Paris holds great treasures in its museums and art galleries. The major national art collection is to be found at the Musée du Louvre, which began collecting 400 years ago and is still growing. Other important museums, such as the Musée d’Orsay, the Musée Picasso and the Pompidou Centre, have their own treasures, but there are scores of smaller, specialized museums, each with its own interest.

Sculpture from Greek and Roman times is well represented in the Musée du Louvre, which also has fine medieval sculptures. Musée du Louvre also became one of the world’s great collections of paintings and sculpture, from the ancient civilizations to the 19th century. Babylonian monument, the Code of Hammurabi, is the oldest set of laws in existence. The Mona Lisa was one of the Musée du Louvre’s first paintings, acquired 400 years ago. It also has other fine Leonardos. They are to be found along with superb Titians, Raphaels and other Italian masters. Other works include Rembrandt’s Pilgrims at Emmäus, Watteau’s Gilles and Fragonard’s The Bathers.

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