The Petit Palais is the City of Paris fine arts museum, set in a gilded palace just off the Champs-Elysees, and its permanent collection is free to visit. Many people walk past it on the way to the Grand Palais opposite or the Seine bridges, which is a pity: the Petit Palais combines a beautiful building, a broad collection of paintings and decorative arts, and one of the most pleasant courtyard cafes in the city, all without a ticket.
Why visit the Petit Palais
The building was put up for the Universal Exhibition of 1900, the same event that gave Paris the Grand Palais and the Pont Alexandre III. Its architect, Charles Girault, wrapped the galleries around a semicircular garden, and the entrance hall, staircases and painted ceilings are worth the visit on their own. The museum's official name is Petit Palais, Musée des Beaux-Arts de la Ville de Paris.
Inside, the collection runs from antiquity through the Renaissance to the early twentieth century. The strongest rooms for most visitors are the nineteenth century French paintings, with work by artists such as Courbet, Delacroix and the Impressionists, along with Art Nouveau furniture and objects from around 1900. Because entry is free and the crowds are a fraction of those at the Louvre or Orsay, it is an easy place to spend an unhurried hour.
How to get to the Petit Palais by metro
The nearest station is Champs-Élysées-Clemenceau, served by Line 1 and Line 13. Line 1 is the easiest for most visitors because it runs straight across the city through the Louvre, Concorde and the Champs-Elysees. From the station, the museum is a very short walk south along Avenue Winston Churchill, the wide street that separates the Petit Palais from the Grand Palais.
Other options:
- Concorde (Lines 1, 8 and 12) is a pleasant walk away through the gardens along the Champs-Elysees.
- Invalides (Lines 8 and 13, plus RER C) is across the Pont Alexandre III, a good choice if you are coming from the Left Bank.
Petit Palais tickets and opening hours
The permanent collection of the Petit Palais is free, with no booking needed in normal times. Temporary exhibitions are paid and can be popular, so it is worth booking a time slot in advance when a major show is on. Like other City of Paris museums, it is usually closed on Mondays and on some public holidays. Opening hours and exhibition details are on the official website, petitpalais.paris.fr, so check there before you go.
Bags go through a security check at the entrance, and large luggage may not be accepted.
Highlights inside
The building itself
Look up as you enter: the domed entrance pavilion, the mosaic floors and the curving iron staircases are part of what makes the visit special. The long gallery along the front of the building catches the light beautifully in the afternoon.
The garden courtyard
The inner garden, framed by a curved colonnade, has palm trees, mosaics and a cafe with tables under the arcade. It is a calm place to stop, even if you only come in for a coffee.
Paintings and decorative arts
Alongside the nineteenth century paintings, look for the Paris 1900 rooms, the Renaissance and Dutch works, icons from the Orthodox world and a good collection of sculpture. The museum is small enough to see the highlights in about an hour.
Tips for your visit
Pick up a free plan at the entrance, as the galleries run around the courtyard on two levels and it is easy to miss rooms. Photography without flash is generally allowed in the permanent collection. The museum is a good rainy day option on a walk along the Champs-Elysees, and it pairs well with a crossing of the Pont Alexandre III afterwards.
Best time to visit
Weekday mornings are the quietest. Late afternoons are also good, and the courtyard is lovely on a sunny day. When a big temporary exhibition is running, the free galleries stay calm even if there is a queue for the paid show. Allow one to two hours, more if you plan to see an exhibition and have lunch in the garden.
Nearby on the same stop
Champs-Élysées-Clemenceau sits at the heart of the area built for the 1900 exhibition, so a lot is within walking distance:
- Grand Palais: the huge glass-roofed exhibition hall directly opposite.
- Pont Alexandre III: the ornate bridge to the Invalides, a few minutes south.
- Champs-Elysees: walk up toward the Arc de Triomphe or down to Place de la Concorde.
- Jardins des Champs-Elysees: shady gardens between the avenue and the Petit Palais.
Find more places around this station on the Petit Palais page, or browse the Paris metro guide to plan the rest of your day.