15 most Famous Pieces of Art in Paris Museums, Louvre and Musée d’Orsay
Paris is often called the city of love, but it’s also a city of art. In Paris you will find museums like the Louvre and Musée d’Orsay housing some of the world’s most important and famous artworks.
That is why, in this article, I have put together 15 of the most famous artworks that you can see on your trip to Paris.
I will also explain which museum you can see this artwork in and where in the museum it is located.
1. Mona Lisa by Leonardo da Vinci
First of all, we have the Mona Lisa by Leonardo da Vinci. She is probably the most famous artwork in Paris. She is known for her beautiful smile and the detail with which Leonardo da Vinci painted this picture.
The Mona Lisa is probably one of the most recognized and visited artworks in the world. One of the reasons this painting in the Louvre is so famous is because it was stolen from the Louvre in 1911 by an Italian nationalist who believed it belonged to Italy. The painting was recovered two years later and then returned to the museum.
Where to see it: Louvre Museum, Denon Wing, Room 711. The louvre is the largest art museum and I would recommend getting a skip-the-line ticket for the Louvre.
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2. The Starry Night Over the Rhône by Vincent van Gogh
Next up, we have The Starry Night Over the Rhône by Vincent van Gogh. This painting captures a beautiful night sky over the Rhône River in Arles, and you can really see the yellow of the shimmering stars in this beautiful deep blue.
It is a gorgeous example of van Gogh’s expressive use of both color and brushwork. Unlike the more famous Starry Night, which was painted from his asylum room, this piece was actually painted from memory and outdoors, and it really captures van Gogh’s fascination with the night.
Where to see it: Musée d’Orsay, Gallery 71. Located in the section dedicated to van Gogh’s works. You can get your ticket for the Orsay Museum here and even book a tour of all the masterworks via this link.
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3. Liberty Leading the People by Eugène Delacroix
One of the most famous paintings in France also has to be Liberty Leading the People by Eugène Delacroix. This oil painting on canvas symbolizes the July Revolution of 1830 in France, with Liberty depicted as a fierce woman leading the charge over the barricades. It’s a very celebrated painting because of its dynamic composition and its emotional impact. The figure of Liberty in this painting is often seen as an allegorical representation of freedom in the art world, and she wears a Phrygian cap, which is a symbol of liberty.
Where to see it: Louvre Museum, Richelieu Wing, Room 77. The painting is prominently displayed and often used to represent French revolutionary ideals. I would recommend getting a skip-the-line ticket for the Louvre.
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4. The Thinker by Auguste Rodin
The first statue on this list is The Thinker by Auguste Rodin. The Thinker is a world-famous statue that represents philosophy and intellectualism. The statue is of a man who is deep in thought, symbolizing human creativity and introspection.
The Thinker was actually part of Rodin’s larger work, The Gates of Hell, which was inspired by Dante’s Divine Comedy, and it was meant to represent Dante himself.
Where to see it: Musée Rodin, Garden. The statue is displayed in the beautiful gardens of the museum. You can book skip-the-line tickets with guided tour here.
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5. Famous art in Paris: Water Lilies series by Claude Monet
Next up is one of my absolute favorite artworks to see in Paris, The Water Lilies by Claude Monet. The Water Lilies captures the beauty of his garden in Giverny, a village outside of Paris that’s a gorgeous place for a day trip.
The Water Lilies (oil on canvas) is actually a series of paintings where you can see Monet’s focus on the effects of light and color on nature, especially on the water lilies in his beautiful pond outside of his home.
Monet painted over 250 versions of The Water Lilies, experimenting with different lighting and perspectives. The series is often considered a precursor to abstract expressionism making Monet the first painter in the genre.
Where to see it: Musée de l’Orangerie, Water Lilies Rooms. The museum features two oval rooms designed specifically to display these panoramic paintings.
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6. The Raft of the Medusa by Théodore Géricault
Then we have The Raft of the Medusa by Théodore Géricault. This is a monumental painting that depicts the aftermath of the wreck of the French naval frigate Medusa. It is an incredibly famous painting, celebrated for its dramatic realism and its emotional intensity.
Géricault conducted extensive research for this painting, even interviewing survivors and studying corpses to ensure that everything in his painting was anatomically and historically accurate.
Where to see it: Louvre Museum, Denon Wing, Room 700. It’s the focal point of the room! I would recommend getting a skip-the-line ticket for the Louvre.
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7. Bal du Moulin de la Galette by Pierre-Auguste Renoir
Bal du Moulin de la Galette by Renoir is a lively scene that captures a typical Sunday afternoon at the Moulin de la Galette in Montmartre. In the painting, you can see people dancing, talking, eating, and socializing.
This painting is especially known for its vibrant colors and the way Renoir depicted the light. Many of the people in this painting are actually Renoir’s friends, as he loved giving his paintings a personal touch. When you’re looking at the picture, the light effects and the movement Renoir included are particularly noteworthy.
Where to see it: Musée d’Orsay, Gallery 32. The painting is part of the museum’s extensive collection of Impressionist works. You can get your ticket for the Orsay Museum here and even book a tour of all the masterworks via this link.
8. The Winged Victory of Samothrace
Then we have the Winged Victory of Samothrace. This is an ancient Greek sculpture that celebrates the goddess Nike, symbolizing victory. The sculpture is praised for its dynamic movement and the incredibly realistic drapery on the body of the winged victory.
The statue was discovered in 1863 on the island of Samothrace and is believed to have been part of a much larger monument celebrating a naval victory.
Where to see it: Louvre Museum, Daru Staircase. It is located at the top of the grand staircase. I would recommend getting a skip-the-line ticket for the Louvre.
9. The Coronation of Napoleon by Jacques-Louis David
Another one of my absolute favorite paintings is The Coronation of Napoleon by Jacques-Louis David. This is an incredibly grand painting that depicts the coronation of Napoleon, capturing a key moment in French history.
I especially love the attention to detail and the gorgeous composition. If you look closely, you can see that Napoleon’s mother is included in the painting, although she wasn’t actually present at the event. The work took over two years to complete.
Where to see it: Louvre Museum, Denon Wing, Room 702. I would recommend getting a skip-the-line ticket for the Louvre.
10. The Dance by Henri Matisse
We can’t talk about French art without mentioning Henri Matisse, which is why I have included The Dance by Henri Matisse in this list. This vibrant and expressive painting features a circle of dancing figures and is known for its bold use of color and simplified forms, characteristic of Matisse’s style.
Matisse himself considered this painting one of his masterpieces, and it marks a turning point in his career towards a more abstract style. It is one of his most famous pieces and most important pieces of art.
Where to see it: Centre Pompidou, Gallery 2. The painting is part of the museum’s modern art collection. It highlights Matisse’s contribution to modernism. Get fast track tickets and an audioguide to Centre Pompidou here.
11. The Card Players by Paul Cézanne
Next up, we have The Card Players by Paul Cézanne. This painting is celebrated for its innovative use of color and form. It is part of a series of paintings that represent Cézanne’s move towards more modern art. In the painting, you will see peasants playing cards in a contemplative manner.
Cézanne painted five versions of The Card Players, each varying in size and composition. It’s fascinating because these five versions reflect his evolving style.
Where to see it: Musée d’Orsay, Gallery 67. The museum’s Impressionist and Post-Impressionist collection includes several works by Cézanne. You can get your ticket for the Orsay Museum here and even book a tour of all the masterworks via this link.
12. The Arnolfini Portrait by Jan van Eyck
Then we have The Arnolfini Portrait by Jan van Eyck, which is one of the works I always try to see when I go to the Louvre. I love this painting because it is so detailed, and I admire van Eyck’s use of light. The portrait is considered a masterpiece of the Northern Renaissance.
In the painting, you see a wealthy couple in their home, surrounded by symbols of their status and wealth. What I especially love about this work is the mirror in the background, which reflects the entire scene. You will also see two figures standing in the doorway, often believed to be the artist, Jan van Eyck, and a witness.
Where to see it: Louvre Museum, Richelieu Wing, Room 56. The painting is part of the museum’s collection of Northern Renaissance art. I would recommend getting a skip-the-line ticket for the Louvre.
13. Self-Portrait by Vincent van Gogh
In the Musée d’Orsay, you will also be able to see a self-portrait by Vincent van Gogh. This self-portrait truly showcases van Gogh’s distinctive style and the emotional intensity of his works.
It is one of many self-portraits painted during a turbulent time in his life and artistic journey, and you can sense this in the painting itself. Van Gogh painted over 30 self-portraits, often using them as a means of self-exploration and experimentation. In these self-portraits, he frequently experimented with his style and use of color.
Where to see it: Musée d’Orsay, Gallery 65. The museum has a significant collection of van Gogh’s works. You can get your ticket for the Orsay Museum here and even book a tour of all the masterworks via this link.
14. The Death of Sardanapalus by Eugène Delacroix
Another painting you should see when you are in Paris is The Death of Sardanapalus by Eugène Delacroix. This dramatic painting depicts the fall of the Assyrian king Sardanapalus and is filled with vivid colors and emotional intensity. It is a prime example of Delacroix’s romantic style.
The painting was inspired by the play Sardanapalus by Lord Byron, and Delacroix’s use of color and movement in this work was considered revolutionary at the time.
Where to see it: Louvre Museum, Denon Wing, Room 700. I would recommend getting a skip-the-line ticket for the Louvre.
15. The Gates of Hell by Auguste Rodin
Last but not least, we have The Gates of Hell by Auguste Rodin. I’ve mentioned The Gates of Hell before when I talked about The Thinker.
This beautiful, monumental group of sculptures was inspired by Dante’s Inferno and includes The Thinker and other famous statues by Rodin.
Rodin worked on The Gates of Hell for over 37 years, and sadly, it remained unfinished at his death. The work is filled with over 200 individual figures.
Where to see it: Musée Rodin, Room 5. You can book skip-the-line tickets with guided tour here
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