Photo © Agence Photographique du Musée Rodin
When the sun graces Paris with warm, golden light, the temptation is to be outside. But that doesn’t mean giving up a dose of culture. Paris offers a number of museums where the lines between indoors and out are blissfully blurred. Art spills into gardens, sculptures live under the open sky, and cafés invite you to linger en plein air.
SUBSCRIBE TO THE MAGAZINE
Here’s a roundup of Paris museums with outdoor spaces so lovely, you may forget you came for the exhibits.
1. Musée Rodin
7th arrondissement
Housed in the elegant Hôtel Biron, the Musée Rodin is as much about the gardens as the sculptures themselves. Outside, among the rose bushes and gravel paths, Rodin’s iconic masterpieces like The Thinker, The Gates of Hell, and Balzac are displayed in the open air, lending them an added emotional depth.
Benches dot the garden, perfect for quiet contemplation, and the on-site café offers outdoor seating with views of the bronze and marble giants. It’s one of the most peaceful spots in Paris, not far from the Eiffel Tower.
2. Musée de l’Orangerie
1st arrondissement
Set at the west end of the Tuileries Garden, the Musée de l’Orangerie is most famous for Monet’s Nymphéas – the panoramic water lily murals housed in two airy, oval rooms designed specifically to be seen under natural light.
After soaking in the serenity inside, step back out into the Tuileries for a stroll by the fountains or a coffee at one of the outdoor cafés. The museum is compact and perfectly paired with an afternoon of wandering.
3. Musée du Quai Branly – Jacques Chirac
7th arrondissement
Designed by architect Jean Nouvel, the Musée du Quai Branly – Jacques Chirac is known for its lush surroundings as much as its world-class collection of indigenous art and artifacts. A living wall climbs the building’s exterior, and the wild, almost jungle-like gardens that surround the museum offer a whimsical contrast to Paris’s formal landscaping.
After your visit, indulge at the museum’s rooftop restaurant Les Ombres for unbeatable Eiffel Tower views and an excellent culinary experience.
4. Fondation Louis Vuitton
16th arrondissement
Even if you’re not an architecture buff, Frank Gehry’s glass-and-steel masterpiece rising from the Bois de Boulogne is sure to impress. Inside, the Fondation Louis Vuitton houses rotating exhibitions of contemporary art, but the real treat on a sunny day is the setting.
Surrounded by cascading waterfalls, forest paths, and peaceful lawns, the museum invites visitors to blend a cultural excursion with a nature walk. Pack a picnic for the park then head to the museum afterward for a fabulous summer day.
5. Musée de Montmartre
18th arrondissement
Tucked away behind high walls on the slopes of Montmartre, this charming museum was once home to Renoir and other artists of the Belle Époque. Today, the Musée de Montmartre offers not only a lovely collection of art, photographs, and period interiors but also one of the city’s most romantic hidden gardens.
With Les Jardins Renoir backing up to the Clos Montmartre vineyard behind the Sacre Coeur, it’s easy to imagine painters lingering here with a glass of wine and a sketchbook.
6. Musée Carnavalet
3rd arrondissement
A surprising oasis in the center of the Marais neighborhood, the Musée Carnavalet – dedicated to the history of Paris – is spread across two historic mansions. While the interiors are rich with treasures, the true charm lies in its formal gardens and interior courtyards.
Sculpted hedges, blooming parterres, and shaded tables with artistic lounge chairs provide a tranquil spot to pause amid the bustle of the Marais. It’s a perfect place to reflect on centuries of Parisian life while soaking up the sunshine and sipping on a cool drink.
7. Musée Delacroix
6th arrondissement
Often overlooked, the Musée National Eugène Delacroix is a quiet gem tucked into Place Furstenberg. The museum, located in the artist’s former apartment and studio, opens onto a serene private garden planted with camellias and magnolias.
It’s the sort of secret space that feels more countryside than city – a rare breath of calm just steps from the busy of Boulevard Saint-Germain.
Instead of visiting The Louvre or the Musée d’Orsay, check out one of these smaller museums in Paris to slow down, linger outdoors, and savor a sunny day.