5 Free and Must-See Museums in Paris

If you are studying abroad in Paris, you have a VIP card that gets you into a lot of cool places -- your student ID card! With your student ID card, you can get lots of discounts and you have free access to some of Paris's top museums. Here are my top picks for FREE museums you've got to see.

Musée de l'Orangerie

Wednesday - Sunday: 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Last admission: 5:15 p.m.
Closed on Tuesdays

Monet's Water Lilies in Musee de l'Orangerie

This museum is a perfect end to a nice stroll in the Tuileries Garden. After admiring the perfect symmetry of trees in the garden, you cam show your student ID and admire Claude Monet's Water Lilies up close and personal.

Musée Picasso

Tuesday to Friday: 10:30 a.m. - 6 p.m.
Saturdays, Sundays and Holidays (except Mondays): 9:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Last access at 5:15 p.m.
The closing of the rooms starts at 5:40 p.m.

The Picasso museum showcases his work and life as an artist

The Picasso museum in Paris houses over 5,000 of Picasso's works, including sketches, engravings, paintings and sculptures. This museum is great because the layout of the museum and accompanying texts allows you to take a journey on Picasso's life as an artist through many mediums.

Les Caves du Louvre

Monday - Friday: 2 p.m. - 6 p.m.
Saturday: Closed
Sunday: 2 - 5 p.m.

Les Caves du Louvre has specific rooms for each of the five senses to help visitors experience wine in a unique and personal way.

While this probably is not considered a museum, it sure feels like it. This wine spot is for connoisseurs and amateurs alike. Discover how wine is made from start to finish in this interactive and beautiful space. Just a few blocks from the Louvre, test your knowledge of wine through fun games and rooms designed to educate you about the wine world. Access is free for all and wine tastings and guided tours are available.

Musée des Archives Nationales

Le Musée des Archives Nationales pieces together France's history through preserved documents.

I stumbled upon this museum walking back to my apartment from school and found this gem. The Archives Museum holds documents, photographs, sketches and maps of French history. Created after the French Revolution, this museum walks you through the importance of creating and saving documents to preserve history.

Les Catacombes

Tuesday - Sunday: 10 a.m. to 8:30 p.m.
Closing of the crates at 7:30 p.m.
Closed on Mondays

Skeletons at Les Catacombes in the shape of a heart.

Underneath the streets of Paris, Les Catacombes is the home for 6 to 7 million skeletons. If you can handle a little bit of creepy, then it's worth a visit.

Always keep an eye out for expositions, small or large, because you never know what you may encounter. Some of the best exhibits I've seen in Paris have been a result of aimless walking. Don't be afraid to open random doors, they may lead to some awesome art.

Leah D. is the Fall 2017 CEA MOJO Blogger in Paris, France. She is currently a Junior studying News and Documentary Production at Chapman University.