There is but one word to describe the Marmottan Monet Museum in Paris: whimsical. Absolutely whimsical.

Since I’d already visited the Louvre and seen other highlights of Paris, I wanted to visit a museum that wasn’t full of tourists, but was still interesting.

Oh, and did I mention that I’m an absolute Monet fanatic?

So, between my desire to spend a more quiet day in Paris, and my love for Monet, it was only natural that I seek out the largest collection of his work in the world.

Here is a guide to plan and visit the Marmottan Monet Museum!

How to Plan Your Visit

Like most museums, you can opt to buy tickets online in advance. You can also wait and buy them at the ticket desk in the museum. If you choose to book online, you must pick a time frame to enter the museum, and you must either print the tickets in advance, or show them on a smartphone.

I chose to buy mine in person, because I wanted to play my day by ear instead of planning a full itinerary. I waited about 15 minutes to buy my ticket from a friendly museum employee inside.

Tickets cost 12€, and are discounted for students under 25 at a rate of 8.50€. If you interested in an audioguide, you can rent one for 3€.

The museum is located in the northwestern area of Paris, right next to a park. I walked there from my adorable hotel and had delightful city views the entire way.

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What to Expect When You Go

Once you’re inside and past the ticket desk, you’ll see that the museum is an old house. That only adds to the charm! I spent just as much time enjoying the interior design as I did the art on display.

The temporary exhibition will be in a series of rooms to the left of the main entrance hallway, and the rooms on your right will house its permanent collection.

I looked through those rooms, and enjoyed perusing those paintings.

But, they aren’t Monet’s work, and they’re not the reason I came. The good stuff is downstairs!

Walk through the bookshop, and take the stairs on the right. You’ll come across a room full of armor and weapons on display, and then keep following the stairs. Once you’re there, you’ll know!

Paintings–huge paintings–of Monet’s adorn the walls of the entire downstairs area within this museum. Each is gorgeous in its own way, and worthy of your time.

Because of Monet’s notoriety, this will be the most crowded area of the museum. You can likely avoid crowds on a weekday, and what is considered “crowded” here is nothing compared to the touristy museums in central Paris!

After spending the most time in the Monet collection, you can head upstairs to enter the temporary exhibition. Although I came for Monet, the temporary exhibition was lovely, as well!

My Reflections

This was one of the best museum visits I’ve ever had. My wait wasn’t too long to enter, the staff was friendly, and I had a relaxing visit. The man at the ticket desk even joked with me about Tennessee and Elvis after I told him where I was from! I love meeting people all around the world that are interested in where I’m from, too.

I found the layout of the museum odd, though. At first, I had trouble finding the Monet collection within the museum, even though that’s the whole reason the museum exists. If you follow my directions above, you’ll be fine.

I greatly enjoyed perusing the art from Monet’s collection, obviously, but was surprised at how much I loved seeing all the other art as well. I was just as impressed with the works of guest artists as I was with Monet’s. And that’s saying a lot!

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All in all, I think everyone who loves Monet should visit the Marmottan Monet Museum while in Paris. The paintings on display are breathtaking, the interior design of the museum itself is noteworthy, and it provides for a beautiful, relaxing day in the city.

What’s your favorite museum in Paris? This one might become mine…

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