Best Museums to Visit in France Outside Paris

Some of the world’s most famous museums, such as the Louvre and the Musée d’Orsay, are in Paris. But there are many other French regions that are worth visiting, and plenty of museums you may like to explore, depending on your interests. 

We don’t like to recommend visiting too many museums in one trip, as we think you get a more immersive and authentic experience of present-day French culture by exploring outside and interacting with the locals (you’ll get plenty of opportunities to do this on one of our self-drive France itineraries!).

However, a museum is always a good option if the weather is bad or if you have a particular interest in a period in history or a specific style of art, for example, and would like to see some original pieces or artifacts. We’ve listed some of our favorite museums in this post. We hope you’ll find it useful!

We've included museums in the following regions, in case you would like to scroll down to the region you're interested in:

• Lyon
• French Riviera
• Provence
• Basque Country
• Loire Valley
• Dordogne
• Burgundy
• Brittany
• Normandy
• Alsace
• Lille
• Bordeaux
• Champagne
• Verdun
• Somme

The Best Museums in Lyon

Famous around the world for its gastronomy and its fascinating architecture, these are some of the museums you may like to visit in Lyon, France’s third largest city after Paris and Marseille. 

International City of Gastronomy, Lyon

If you’re a gourmet like we are at France Just For You, you shouldn’t miss Lyon's International City of Gastronomy (Cité Internationale de la Gastronomie de Lyon). This museum is dedicated to food and wine, with plenty of interactive exhibits and opportunities for tastings during your visit. 

You’ll learn about the culinary traditions that are particular to Lyon, and how these have influenced French cuisine in general. The on-site restaurant showcases some of Lyon’s most famous food products and dishes, so you may like to stop for something to eat there.

Musée des Beaux-Arts de Lyon

The Fine Arts museum in Lyon includes more than 70,000 works of art by artists such as Monet and Rembrandt - a must for art-lovers.

Musée des Confluences

We think you’ll be fascinated by the impressive modern architecture of this museum, which explores the history of nature, science and societies. Exhibits range from prehistoric fossils to items of modern-day technology, so the Musée des Confluences may be interesting to those with diverse interests.

We’ll customize our Lyon Tours to suit your interests and preferences.

The Best Museums in French Riviera

The French Riviera is so much more than glitz, glamor and beaches. There are also some fantastic art museums, as this region has been a home and a popular vacation destination for artists across the ages. Here are some of our favorites:

The Picasso Museum, Antibes

The Picasso Museum is housed in a beautiful 14th-century castle in Antibes, where visitors can appreciate over 200 pieces of art that show how his style evolved during his career. Bring a picnic or some snacks if the weather’s good so you can enjoy the garden and its stunning sea views after exploring the museum.

Marc Chagall National Museum, Nice

Showcasing the work of Russian-born French painter Marc Chagall, you’ll be able to walk around this small museum in about an hour. The permanent collection includes 17 large gorgeous canvas paintings depicting scenes from the Bible. Visitors may also visit the garden and the concert hall hosts regular classical music concerts.

Musée d'Art Moderne et d'Art Contemporain (MAMAC), Nice

If you’re in Nice, lovers of modern art will enjoy exploring the Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art. There are more than 1,300 pieces of art spanning the 20th and 21st centuries. It’s a great way to spend half a day - make sure you check out the views from the roof terrace!

The MAMAC will be temporarily closed for an extended period from January 7th, 2024 for major renovation work. Check the MAMAC’s website for the latest updates.

We’ll customize any of our self-drive tours in the French Riviera based on your preferences.

The Best Museums in Provence

If you think of Provence, images of lavender fields and Roman ruins might come to mind. Here are some museums you might like to visit during your trip to Provence:

The Pope's Palace, Avignon

This French UNESCO World Heritage Site dates back to the 14th century, when it was the seat of the Catholic Church. Now, the Pope’s Palace is a museum focusing on the history and architecture of the palace. There are beautiful frescoes to see and inside you’ll see tapestries decorating the palace's halls and rooms.

Cézanne's studio, Aix-en-Provence

Art lovers will be fascinated by a visit to Paul Cezanne's studio in Aix-en-Provence, where he worked for many years. Nowadays it is a museum that shows the studio as it would have been during his lifetime. You can see some of Cézanne's personal belongings, unfinished works, and the lovely garden that featured in many of his paintings.

MUCEM, Marseille

The Museum of Civilizations of Europe and the Mediterranean showcases the history and cultures of this region.

There are over a million works of art and artifacts spanning from prehistory to the present day. You can also see exhibits on current-day migration and the environment.

If you’re in Marseille, it’s worth strolling over to the MUCEM just to see its impressive modern architecture, inspired by traditional Mediterranean architecture. The lattice-like concrete shell wraps around the museum and provides shade and ventilation while evoking the latticed screens that are typical of the region.

The large footbridge connects it to Fort Saint-Jean, which dates back to the 17th century and now also houses part of the museum's collection.

The Lavender Museum, Luberon

If you’re in Provence between April 1st and December 23rd, the family-owned Lavender Museum is just a 35-minute drive from the city of Avignon. It’s only a very small museum, so possibly not worth making the journey especially, but it’s a nice place to stop off if you’re passing by on your way to somewhere else. 

Here you can learn about Lavender’s history from the 16th century to the present day. You can also learn about its botany, cultivation and the machines and processes used to distill it to make various lavender products. Many of these products are available to buy in their shop. 

If you book one of our Provence tours, we’ll share with you our favorite places to buy authentic locally-produced lavender products!

The Best Museums in Basque Country

The French Basque Country is quite different from the rest of France, with a noticeably unique identity and its own language. These museums will help you understand more about the Basque history, culture, tradition and identity.

Musée Basque, Bayonne

The Basque Museum in Bayonne will give you an introduction to the history and culture of the Basque Country. It has a collection of more than 2,000 objects showcasing the Basque region's traditions, art, and folklore. There’s also a collection of traditional Basque costumes, an exhibit about the history of whaling in the Basque Country, and you can even have a go at playing pelote, the Basque sport.

Espace Chemins-Bideak, Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port

In you’re interested in learning about the Camino de Santiago pilgrimage route, which traverses the Basque Country, this is the museum to visit. There are exhibits about the history of the pilgrimage, Basque traditions and customs, and the art and architecture of the region. People also visit the museum to learn more about the different pilgrimage routes along the Camino de Santiago as they plan their own pilgrimage.

Musée de la Mer, Biarritz

The Biarritz Aquarium and Museum hosts over 150 species of marine life. You’ll also discover the history of fishing, the biology of the ocean, and surfing, a popular water-sport in Biarritz, which attracts surfers from all over the world. Find out more in our post about the best things to do in Biarritz.

In our Basque Country tours, we will immerse you in beautiful landscapes and fascinating culture of this part of France.

The Best Museums in Loire Valley

If we mention the Loire Valley, the first thing most people will think of are the elegant chateaux of the Middle Ages, Renaissance and beyond. The region also has some interesting museums that you might like to visit, if you have time:

The Museum of Fine Arts, Tours

The Musée des Beaux-Arts de Tours is contained within a beautiful 18th-century mansion. Its collection of more than 12,000 works of art, include paintings, sculptures, and decorative arts by artists such as Degas, Delacroix and Rubens.

Musée de la Vigne et du Vin, Anjou

This is the place to learn about the history and culture of winemaking in the Loire Valley. You’ll find exhibits on the different types of wine produced in the region, the history of viticulture, and learn about different winemaking techniques. If you attend one of their wine-tasting sessions, you’ll be able to sample some of the local wines. 

However, if you book a tour of the Loire Valley with us, we will arrange for you to have a special and memorable wine-tasting experience with an expert wine guide!

Our Loire Valley tours will take you to our favorite vineyards and castles of the Loire Valley!

The Best Museums in Dordogne

If you’re interested in visiting prehistoric caves and medieval villages, and enjoying gorgeous views everywhere you look, you may like to browse our Dordogne tours. In terms of its museums, we recommend:

Lascaux IV, Montignac

This is a replica of the original Lascaux cave, which was discovered by four local teenage boys in 1940 and is home to some of the most striking and well-preserved prehistoric monochrome cave paintings in the world. 

Thousands of visitors explored the original cave in the decades that it was open to the public. Eventually though, it had to be closed due to the damaging effect that the humidity from so many visitors was having on the paintings.

And so a replica cave, Lascaux IV was created so that visitors today can continue to get a sense of the magnitude and beauty of the cave paintings. Experts used the latest technology and techniques to recreate a realistic experience of how the cave would have been when it was inhabited around 17,000 years ago. As well as replica paintings of bison and wooly mammoths, they have recreated the conditions and smells within the cave too. The museum teaches you about the culture of our prehistoric ancestors who created them.

Musée National de Préhistoire, Les Eyzies-de-Tayac-Sireuil

Another museum focusing on the prehistoric period of the Dordogne region, if you have time you may like to visit this museum after visiting prehistoric caves to help put what you’ve seen into context. 

At the National Museum of Prehistory you may learn about the evolution of humanity, how prehistoric people lived, and how their art and culture evolved across different periods. You can also see some prehistoric tools and weapons, and replicas of some of Dordogne’s prehistoric sites.

Musée de la Truffe, Sarlat

If you’re driving through Dordogne, a visit to the beautiful medieval town of Sarlat is a must! If you have some extra time, the Truffle Museum will give you an introduction to the history and practice of truffle-hunting in the region, with a small tasting experience at the end. You might enjoy this if you’re a gourmet with a particular taste for truffles! 

And in that case, we would also recommend going on a truffle-hunting experience in this region - we can arrange this for you if you book one of our Dordogne self-drive tours. You’ll go on a hunt with specially-trained dogs and expert truffle-hunters, and then have an excellent truffle-tasting experience at the end! 

You can discover these museums, delve into prehistoric caves, admire gorgeous landscapes, visit centuries-old castles and enjoy a truffle hunt on a custom Dordogne self-drive tour with France Just For You!

The Best Museums in Burgundy

You probably know that just the name ‘Burgundy’ will evoke some of the finest wines in the world. The region of Burgundy is also well-known for its delicious gastronomy and interesting history. Find out more at:

The Medieval Hospices, Beaune

This stunning 15th-century building has exhibits on the history of the hospices in Beaune and the care of the sick and dying in medieval times. You can also see some of the hospital's original furnishings and artefacts and admire the building’s impressive Gothic architecture.

Our tours of Burgundy, France will take you to the finest wineries, the best restaurants and the most interesting historical places (that most tourists don't know about!)

The International City of Gastronomy and Wine, Dijon

The Cité Internationale de la Gastronomie et du Vin in Dijon has exhibits on the history of food and viticulture in Burgundy. You may also be interested in the cooking and winemaking workshops, and of course you must take the opportunity to try some of the local wines and cuisine on offer.

Musée des Beaux-Arts, Dijon

One of France’s oldest fine art museums, the Musée des Beaux-Arts in Dijon is housed in a 15th century former Dukes’ palace. Among the 13,000 pieces of art spanning the 14th and 19th centuries are masterpieces by Rubens, Titian, and Veronese.

The Best Museums in Brittany

Brittany is another region that has an interesting and distinct culture. It also has a stunning coastline and is a great region to visit along with its neighboring department Normandy. You may like to visit these museums while you’re driving through Brittany.

Museum of Brittany, Rennes

At the Musée de Bretagne, you can learn about the history, culture, art, and geography of Brittany. It focuses on the everyday life of Breton people, with exhibits of traditional Breton clothing, handicrafts and furniture.

Musée de la Résistance Bretonne, Sainte-Anne d'Auray

The Museum of the Breton Resistance is very interesting if you’re interested in world war history and plan to visit some of the other important World War II sites in France. The museum tells the story of the French Resistance in Brittany during the second world war. You’ll see exhibits on the  occupation of Brittany, the resistance movement, wartime propaganda, weapons, and the role of Bretons in the war effort.

If you would like to explore this lovely part of western France, we invite you to browse our tours of Brittany.

The Best Museums in Normandy

Normandy is a beautiful region, from its windswept coastline and beautiful rural landscapes inland. Many people associate it with the Normandy landings, which marked D-Day and the beginning of the end of World War II in June 1944.

It's also well-known for its Calvados apple brandy, cider and delicious cuisine. There are many museums worth visiting - add one or two of these to your Normandy itinerary according to your interests!

The Bayeux Tapestry Museum, Bayeux

The Musée de la Tapisserie de Bayeux is home to the most famous tapestry in the world. An 11th-century historical record, the Bayeux Tapestry tells the story of the 1066 Norman Conquest of England.

Please note that the museum is scheduled to close for refurbishment for about two years from late 2024. Restoration work on the tapestry will also be carried out during this period. It is then expected that the Bayeux Tapestry will be on loan to the UK during the rest of the museum’s refurbishment.

The D-Day Museum - Musée du Débarquement, Arromanches

We think you’ll find the D-Day Museum in Arromanches-les-Bains interesting if you like learning about the history of the second world war. There are exhibits on the Normandy landings, including film footage, models and artifacts.

Caen Memorial, Caen

The city of Caen suffered extensive damage during the bombings of World War II. The Mémorial de Caen is both a war memorial and a history museum. You can learn about the causes of the war, find out about the events of the Battle of Normandy, and the Cold War.

If you book one of our Normandy tours and you tell us you’d like to visit some of the key WWII sites, we’ll arrange for a WWII expert to guide you around the most important places of interest. They will recount the events that happened at each place, and if you have a relative who was killed in action in the Battle of Normandy, they will research where their grave is located so you may visit it and pay your respects during your trip.

Musée Eugène Boudin, Honfleur

Eugène Boudin was a famous painter from Normandy, known for his landscape and seascape paintings of the region. He was also a mentor of Impressionist Claude Monet and other landscape painters. In the Eugène Boudin Museum you’ll see the artist’s work, and some of the art of those he mentored and inspired.

If you like the idea of a self guided driving tour of Normandy where all the planning is taken care of by experts, contact us!

The Best Museums in Alsace

Alsace is in eastern France, bordering Germany. The region was actually part of Germany at various times in history, and you’ll notice the German influence on the place names, architecture, and gastronomy. The museums below are worth a visit if you’re on a road trip through Alsace:

Musée d'Unterlinden, Colmar

This 13th-century Dominican convent and former public bath is now the Unterlinden Museum, the most visited museum in Alsace. It has more than 700 paintings, sculptures, and other works of art, including pieces by Picasso and Monet, and the Isenheim Altarpiece by the German Renaissance painter Matthias Grünewald.

Alsatian Museum, Strasbourg

Learn more about the culture and history of Alsace at the Musée Alsacien in Strasbourg. Its exhibits will help you understand the daily customs and traditions of the Alsatian people, with a focus on the 1700s and 1800s. You can also see examples of traditional Alsatian handicrafts, clothing and furniture.

Browse our self drive tours of Alsace, and then contact us! Once we know your interests and preferences, we'll be able to craft a tour of eastern France, just for you!

Lille

If you’re visiting northern France, we recommend a visit to Lille because of its impressive architecture and cultural heritage.

If you enjoy visiting museums, these are a few you could visit in Lille:

La Piscine, Musée d'Art et d'Industrie André Diligent

We recommend a visit to La Piscine if you’re an art lover. This former Art Deco swimming pool is now a museum with exhibits of fine art, fashion and textiles, science, and industrial design and machinery. You’ll also be able to see work by local artists and Visitors can admire works by local artists.

The Museum of Fine Arts, Lille

The Palais des Beaux-Arts in Lille has collections of European art spanning from ancient times to the modern era, and include pieces by Delacroix, Monet and Rubens.

Musée de l'Hospice Comtesse, Lille

This former 17th-century hospice in the old town of Lille now exhibits art and historical objects from the 16th-20th centuries, including paintings, ceramics, and furniture.

Browse our self-drive tours in the north of France and see how much there is to discover!

The Best Museums in Bordeaux

Synonymous with fine wine, Bordeaux is in southwest France and the city is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. We warmly recommend visiting:

La Cité du Vin, Bordeaux

If you would like to learn more about the history and culture of Bordeaux wine, a visit to La Cité du Vin is a must. See exhibits on the history of viticulture discover the techniques used to make wine. They also offer wine-tasting opportunities.

Les Bassins des Lumières, Bordeaux

This unique digital art space in Bordeaux was once a submarine base. Projections of digitized works of art and light shows among the water basins create a stunning visual spectacle in this industrial building. You’ll feel completely immersed in the art and music. In 2024, the exhibitions focus on The Dutch Masters, from van Gogh to Vermeer.

Champagne

The Champagne region of France needs little introduction! But you may not know that as well as being famous for its sparkling wine, the region is also associated with one of the most important moments in world history:

Musée de la Reddition, Reims

It was in this building that World War II officially ended. In the early hours of May 7th, 1945, the Germans signed the declaration of unconditional surrender. The building was a school and was used as General Eisenhower’s HQ. It’s still a school today - the Lycée Roosevelt - and the room where the surrender was signed is now the Museum of the Surrender.

There’s a short documentary film when you go in which explains the significance of this building and the events that took place here. Then you can visit the map room, which has been kept exactly as it was at the time of the surrender. There are also exhibits of war souvenirs, uniforms, artifacts and press reports from the time.

If you’re interested in World War history, a visit to the Musée de la Reddition is a must while you’re in Reims. It is quite small so you won’t need longer than an hour to take in the rooms and the exhibits.

Carcassonne

This walled medieval fortress town was nearly demolished in the 19th century after falling into a state of disrepair. Thanks to efforts from the local mayor, it was saved and restored so we can continue enjoying this beautiful town today. You’ll get the greatest sense of Carcassonne’s history by walking around the old town and exploring it for yourself, or on a guided tour.

Musée de l'École - School Museum

If you’re a teacher or are interested in the history of education, you might enjoy a visit to the School Museum in Carcassonne. This could also be interesting if you’re traveling with school-aged children, for them to see what school was like in times past. 

There are just four rooms in the museum so it will only take around 45 minutes to walk around. The old-fashioned classroom and old individual desks may bring back memories for older visitors! You also have a chance to try writing with an old ink pen and inkwell! 

Verdun

If you’re exploring world war history during your time in France (check out our World War History Tour of France), you’ll certainly want to stop for a day or two in Verdun. This was the site of a devastating and key World War I battle, and hosts the largest American military cemetery in Europe, Montfaucon-sur-Argonne.

Verdun Memorial

The Mémorial de Verdun museum is an absolute must-see if you’re interested in WWI history. It helps visitors better understand what happened during the important but devastating Battle of Verdun, giving the history from both the German and French sides. 

Fleury-devant-Douaumont

You might think of Fleury-devant-Douaumont as a kind of memorial or open-air museum that pays homage to the villagers that once lived there. The village was very close to the Verdun battlefield and was completely destroyed by German artillery during World War I. 

Nowadays what remains are signs indicating where different landmarks once stood in the village: the school, the church, the local store… and paths that weave in and out of bumpy land and trees. Walking through this area is quite a sobering experience and interesting to combine with a visit to the Verdun Memorial. 

If you book one of our World War 1 Battlefields tours, we will arrange for an expert WWI guide to give you a private tour of the key Verdun battle sites, including the Verdun Memorial and Fleury-devant-Douaumont.

Somme

Many of our travelers are interested in Somme battlefield tours because of their interest in world war history. Of course, this region is eponymous with one of the most devastating battles of the 20th century. As such, there are several war memorials and cemeteries to visit, as well as museums that help put everything you see into context. 

Beyond war history, there are also other very interesting places to visit and explore, such as the city of Amiens, its cathedral, its floating gardens and Jules Verne House (mentioned below). Here are some of the stand-out museums in the Somme region:

The Thiepval Museum

About a 40-minute drive from Amiens is the Thiepval Memorial to the Missing of the Somme. The small museum helps you learn more about the history and consequences of the battle, including an incredible panoramic mural by Joe Sacco depicting the battle of July 1st, 1916. 

The facts and images you’ll see in the museum along with the size of the memorial monument covered with the names of the fallen will give you a real sense of the vast scale of the battle and the numbers who perished. 

Delville Wood South African National War Memorial

Ten minutes’ drive from Thiepval is the Delville Wood War Memorial, dedicated to South Africans who fought in the Battle of the Somme. In addition to the memorial and the war cemetery, the museum has information and artifacts relating to the South African troops and their participation in the battle. This may be of particular interest to travelers from or with links to South Africa.

Sir John Monash Centre

Australian travelers who are interested in war history will want to visit the Australian National Memorial and the Sir John Monash Centre at the Villiers-Bretonneux Military Cemetery. 

Sir John Monash Centre was honored for his outstanding command of the Australian Army Corps in France during the First World War, which led to a number of major victories credited with shortening the war. This museum commemorates the experiences, contributions and sacrifices made by the Australian troops during World War 1. 

If you visit the memorial during opening hours you’ll be able to climb to the top for a view over the cemetery.

Somme 1916 Museum, Albert

The Somme 1916 museum is set in underground tunnels in the town of Albert, and explores the experience of WWI soldiers through guided tours, many artifacts, recreated war scenes and mannequins of soldiers. Definitely worth a visit if you’re passing through Albert.

Jules Verne House, Amiens

If you’re a fan of Jules Verne - who wrote classics such as Around the World in 80 days and Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea - we think you’ll enjoy visiting Jules Verne House in Amiens, where he lived and wrote for 18 years. 

In the house, you can learn about how history, science and geography inspired his books. In one room there’s a huge map that shows the 80-day journey around the world that features in one of his most famous novels. 

The library contains around 12,000 books, which Jules Verne consulted while he was researching and writing his novels. There’s also a section dedicated to movies that were inspired by his novels, with original movie posters.

Even if you haven’t read any of Jules Verne’s books, you might find that a visit to his house inspires you to read one!

If you’re planning to book one of our France vacation packages, let us know what your particular interests and wishes are. We will be sure to include museums we think you'll enjoy visiting in your France package tour. 

If you would like a private guided tour of a museum, we may also be able to arrange this for you too. 

To get more inspiration, check out our art and museum tours in France page.