Which museums to visit as Louvre price increases and Centre Pompidou shuts

If you are a museum lover planning a trip to Paris, prepare for some disappointing news. The Centre Pompidou, with its outstanding modern art collection, is closed for renovations until 2030 and the Louvre has announced a 45 per cent price hike from January 14. Non-EU visitors now have to fork out an eye-watering €32 ($55) entry fee, putting a visit out of reach for some.

But there’s good news, too. The Louvre is covered by the Paris Museum Pass (€85 for a two-day pass which includes 10 other museums including Musee D’orsay and Musee Rodin), and Paris has plenty of other sensational museums to add to your itinerary. These are some of our favourites.

Musee des Arts Decoratifs

The opulent art deco apartment of couturier Jeanne Lanvin is the showstopper at Paris’ decorative arts museum, but there are plenty of other stunners among the 600,000 objects in the permanent collection, including furniture, fashion and wallpapers. Admission: €15, free for visitors under 26. See madparis.fr/en

Fondation Cartier

Freshly installed in a former department store reimagined by superstar architect Jean Nouvel, Fondation Cartier pour l’Art Contemporain will thrill contemporary art lovers. The intriguing building design features five movable floors that allow the space to be radically reconfigured for every exhibition. Admission: €15, €10 concession. See fondationcartier.com/en

Musee Carnavalet

The Musee Carnavalet traces the history of Paris from prehistory to the present day through a sometimes surprising range of objects. The fascinating French Revolution collection includes a model of the guillotine and Marie Antoinette’s slipper. Admission: free for the permanent collection. See carnavalet.paris.fr

Musee de l’Orangerie

The centrepiece of the Musee de l’Orangerie is the eight huge panels of Claude Monet’s water lilies, but you will also find works by Cezanne, Matisse, Picasso and Gauguin on show. The building originally helped protect the orange trees of the Tuileries gardens during winter. Admission: €12.50, or €20 in a combined ticket with Musee d’Orsay. See musee-orangerie.fr/en

Musee Rodin

Many visitors to Musee Rodin never make it through the front door and fair enough: some of Rodin’s most memorable works, including The Thinker, are displayed in the 2.8 hectare gardens. Exhibits inside the building include the sculptor’s personal art collection. Admission: €14, €25 for a combined ticket with Musee d’Orsay. Free the first Sunday of the month between October and March. See musee-rodin.fr/en

Petit Palais

There are canvases by Rembrandt, Cezanne and Monet, as well as beautiful clocks, porcelain and tapestries, but the most exquisite thing on show at the Petit Palais is the building itself. Its stained-glass windows, mosaic floors and painted ceilings, which took 15 years to complete, are dazzling. Admission: free. See petitpalais.paris.fr

La Galerie Dior

Paris’ largest permanent space dedicated to fashion charts the evolution of the Dior look over the decades through sketches, snapshots and magnificent vintage pieces. Visiting the (surprisingly simple) studio where Monsieur Dior worked is a highlight. Admission: €16, €12 concession, children under 10 free. See: galeriedior.com

Institut du Monde Arabe

This cultural centre – another Jean Nouvel design – has built a reputation for intriguing exhibitions. This year’s highlights include Byblos, focusing on the Mediterranean’s oldest international seaport, and Captives, a deep dive into the Mediterranean slave trade over 300 years. The roof terrace on the ninth floor has panoramic city views. Admission: €10, free for visitors under 26. See imarabe.org/fr

Musee Picasso-Paris

This stately townhouse in the Marais is home to a truly extraordinary collection of Picasso works. Built around donations made by Picasso’s heirs, including the artist’s personal archives, the 5000-strong collection includes paintings, drawings, sculptures and engravings. Admission: €16, family rate €12 per adult (up to two adults with a child). Free on the first Sunday of the month. See museepicassoparis.fr

Musee d’Orsay

Housed in a restored beaux arts railway station, the Musee d’Orsay’s outstanding collection features masterpieces by Van Gogh, Manet, Degas and Cezanne. Don’t miss the gallery tracing the history of cinema, including a series of short clips from key films.

Be sure to enjoy a cuppa or a bite to eat in one of the fabulously gilded salons. Admission: €16, family rate €13 per adult (up to two adults with a child). Free for visitors under 18. See musee-orsay.fr