Centre Pompidou

A building turned inside out, the ultra-modern Pompidou was infamously plunked down in the middle of an old Parisian neighborhood and is still completely out of character for the area. Nonetheless, the museum has become an important showcase for modern and contemporary art. It recently underwent an extensive overhaul and now displays its 20^th and 21^st century collections chronologically. The rooftop café has great views of the city and riding the exterior escalators is a trip.

Place Georges Pompidou, Paris 4e
33 (0) 1-44-78-12-33
Metro: Rambuteau, Hôtel de Ville, Châtelet-Les Halles
Website

Hours:
11am – 10pm Wed-Mon, closed on Tuesdays

Tickets:
€10 – 12 (adults over 25), €8 (students with ID), free under 18
Free the first Sunday of every month

Admission includes Atelier Brancusi, a recreation of the famous sculptor's studio across the street.

L’ Orangerie

At the opposite end of the Tuileries Gardens from the Louvre, sits the recently enlarged L’Orangerie. The museum is best known for housing Monet’s Water Lilies. The galleries hold tremendous collections of Impressionist and Post-Impressionist paintings, including works from Cézanne, Matisse, Renoir, Picasso and more. Off-the-beaten path, the museum is compact and rarely overrun like some of Paris’ better known attractions.

Address:  Jardin des Tuileries, 75001 Paris 1e.
33 (0) 1-44-77-80-07
Metro: Concorde
Website

Hours:
9am-6pm daily (galleries start closing at 5:45pm)
Closed on Tuesdays as well as May 1^st and Dec. 25.

Tickets:
€ 7.50 (adults over 25), € 5.50 (students with ID), free under 18
€2 surcharge for temporary exhibits
Free on the first Sunday of every month