The Petit Palais houses the City of Paris Museum of Fine Arts within a stunning Belle Époque palace built for the 1900 World's Fair. Visitors can explore a rich permanent collection spanning from Antiquity to the 19th century for free, or enjoy world-class temporary exhibitions in a building famed for its golden gate and lush garden courtyard.
Visit Info & Tips
While the permanent collection is free, entry to premier temporary exhibitions like the Károly Ferenczy retrospective or the 'Artists' Faces' show requires a paid ticket. Booking a skip-the-line slot is highly recommended to bypass queues, especially on busy weekends. For the best value, consider a bundle pairing Petit Palais exhibitions with the Musée d'Orsay, Fondation Louis Vuitton, or Musée Marmottan Monet. Allow at least two hours to visit, concluding your tour with a coffee in the romantic interior garden café.
Practical Info
About Petit Palais
Architect Charles Girault designed the Petit Palais as a centerpiece for the 1900 Exposition Universelle, intending it to be a permanent monument to French craftsmanship. Situated across from the Grand Palais, its design is a masterpiece of the late 19th-century Beaux-Arts style, featuring a magnificent semi-circular courtyard, ionic columns, and a grand dome that floods the galleries with natural light. In 1902, the building was officially inaugurated as the Museum of Fine Arts of the City of Paris. The architecture itself is as much an attraction as the art inside, boasting intricate mosaic floors, gilded ironwork by Jean Schopfer, and extensive ceiling murals that depict the history of Paris and the triumph of the arts. Inside, the permanent collections offer a comprehensive journey through art history. The Greek and Roman antiquities department is world-renowned, as is the collection of Dutch and Flemish 17th-century paintings. However, the museum’s true strength lies in its 19th-century French holdings, showcasing major works by masters including Gustave Courbet, Paul Cézanne, Claude Monet, and Auguste Rodin. Beyond the art, the museum serves as a cultural hub, hosting a rotating schedule of international temporary exhibitions. The building's layout, centered around the exotic garden, provides a peaceful sanctuary in the heart of the busy 8th arrondissement, making it one of the most aesthetically pleasing and accessible cultural stops in the French capital.
FAQ
What to See
Petit Palais
The Golden Gate
The Garden Courtyard
19th-Century Masterpieces
The North Gallery Ceilings
Temporary Exhibition Wing
Dutuit Collection
Exhibitions
2
Károly Ferenczy
Petit PalaisThe content discusses cookie usage on a website, highlighting the importance of cookies for personalizing user experiences. It outlines various types of cookies, including necessary, functional, analytical, and advertisement cookies, each with specific purposes and durations. Key examples include localization cookies and Google Analytics cookies, designed to enhance usability and gather visitor data. The site allows users to manage cookie preferences, balancing personalization with privacy.
14 aprile — 7 settembre 2026
Visages d'artistes
Petit PalaisThe page provides information about the use of cookies on a website, detailing their types, purposes, and durations. Necessary cookies are essential for basic site functionality, including user sessions and localization. Functional cookies enhance user experience by supporting site features like social sharing. Analytical cookies track user behavior to improve site performance, while advertisement cookies are used for targeted advertising. There are links to various exhibitions, highlighting the Petit Palais and its current exhibition on 'Artists' Faces', showcasing 19th-century art. It provides details on opening hours and access options, encouraging personalized user experience management.
18 marzo — 20 luglio 2026
Exhibitions FAQ
What exhibitions are on at Petit Palais?
2 exhibitions currently scheduled at Petit Palais: Károly Ferenczy; Visages d'artistes.
Do I need to book in advance?
Yes — temporary exhibitions at Petit Palais sell out quickly, especially on weekends. Booking a timed-entry ticket online is strongly recommended.
Save more with a Paris Pass that includes Petit Palais
Bundle multiple top attractions, skip lines and pay less per ticket.
- Multi-attraction access
- Skip-the-line entry
- Better value than single tickets
- Free cancellation on most passes
Prices and inclusions verified with our partners Tiqets and Headout.
You may also like
Other attractions near Petit Palais
🎟️ Book tickets for Petit Palais
Book now ↗Book now ↗