If you're interested in history, you'll find plenty to enjoy in Paris Museums.

Carnavalet Museum

I always enjoy the Carnavalet Museum, in the Marais. Housed in two adjacent and beautiful hôtels particuliers, or private mansions, this museum focuses on the history of Paris from the 1500s forward, and also includes some prehistory. And it's one of the free museums of Paris as well. More...

Cluny Museum

If you want to look farther back in history, head to the Cluny Museum, on the Boulevard St-Michel on the Left Bank. The Cluny focuses on the Middle Ages, but the 15th century building was constructed on top of Roman remains. You can still see remains of the Roman baths. More...

Crypte Archaeologique Notre-Dame

For more Roman ruins, try the Crypte Archaeologique du Parvis Notre-Dame, on the Île de la Cité, just across the square from the Notre-Dame Cathedral. More...

Conciergerie

The Conciergerie, also on the Île de la Cité, is best known at the place where Marie Antoinette was imprisoned before being taken to the guillotine. You can see a model of her cell and other historic rooms. More...

Les Invalides

For military history, go to Les Invalides, in the 7th arrondissement. This is also the site of the tomb of Napoléon Bonaparte, under the golden dome. More...

Musée de la Marine

Maritime history is explained at the Musée de la Marine, in the lovely Palais de Chaillot. Napoléon's royal barge is also on display. More...

Cité de l'Architecture et du Patrimoine

While you're at the Palais de Chaillot, cross the terrace (enjoying the wonderful views of the Eiffel Tower) and go to the Cité de l'Architecture et du Patrimoine, in the other wing of the Palais. See full scale casts of historic churches and secular buildings, as well as reproductions of stained glass and frescoes. More...

Panthéon

The Panthéon today holds the marble tombs of heroic figures of French history, including Emile Zola, Rousseau, and Voltaire. It's a short walk from the Jardin de Luxembourg and the Sorbonne. More...

Legion of Honor Museum

And if you're interested in the Legion of Honor and the various decorations bestowed on leaders and others over the centuries, you'll want to visit the Legion of Honor Museum. It's just across from the Musée D'Orsay and is also a free museum. More...

Musée d'Archeologie Nationale

The National Archaeology Museum is not in fact in Paris, but in nearby Saint-Germain-en-Laye. Housed in a beuatiful château, it has close to 30,000 artifacts! More...

Other Museums

So many other Paris museums are housed in historic buildings, such as the Louvre, the Petit Palais, so you'll be experiencing history as you visit them too.

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