Musée du quai Branly - Jacques Chirac

Art museum · Gros Caillou ·

Musée du quai Branly - Jacques Chirac

Art museum · Gros Caillou ·

Indigenous art & cultures from Africa, Asia, Oceania, Americas

Information

37 Quai Jacques Chirac, 75007 Paris, France Get directions

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30 Best Things to Do in Paris

"A museum featuring an extensive collection of art from various civilizations, with a panoramic terrace." - Lane Nieset Lane Nieset Lane Nieset is a travel writer from Miami who has lived in France for the past decade. From Paris, she covers a mix of lifestyle, wine, food, and design for publications including Food & Wine, Condé N

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Musée du quai Branly - Jacques Chirac

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The 48 Best Things to Do in Paris

"The Musée du Quai Branly-Jacques Chirac is perhaps best known for its unusual design by Jean Nouvel. The exterior of the building almost seems alive with plant walls and wild gardens, while the interiors are dark, winding, and dramatically lit. The modern structure stands in sharp contrast with the treasures housed inside: ancient art and artifacts and relics of bygone civilizations (with a specific focus on non-European cultures). Be sure to check out the museum's continuous calendar of special exhibitions, including shows centered around a specific culture." - Melissa Liebling-Goldberg, Julia Eskins

https://www.cntraveler.com/gallery/best-things-to-do-in-paris

Cyrille Weiner

Musée du quai Branly - Jacques Chirac

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"Opened in 2006 in a soaring space designed by Jean Nouvel, this is part museum and part research/education center. You'll see a compendious display of objects and art from African, Oceanic, Asian, and American cultures that truly appeals to all ages. We always make any trip here revolve around lunch in order to take a pitstop at Les Ombres on the 5th floor: It has great views of the Eiffel Tower. "

The Paris Art & Architecture Guide

Musée du quai Branly - Jacques Chirac

@cntraveler

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15 Best Things to Do in Paris With Kids | Condé Nast Traveler

"The Musée du Quai Branly-Jacques Chirac is perhaps best known for its unusual design by Jean Nouvel; the exterior of the building almost seems alive with plant walls and wild gardens, while the interiors are dark, winding, and dramatically lit. The modern structure stands in sharp contrast with the treasures housed inside: ancient art and artifacts and relics of bygone civilizations (with a specific focus on non-European cultures). If you've brought the kids along, take one of the family guided tours the museum offers (one caters to children three to five years old, and the other, those older than six). During the hour-long amble, you'll discover objects from different continents, from rare pieces to temporary exhibits." - Daisy de Plume

https://www.cntraveler.com/gallery/best-things-to-do-in-paris-with-kids

Cyrille Weiner

Musée du quai Branly - Jacques Chirac

Helen B.

Google

Amazing collections. Highly recommend. Saw Amazonia and Dragons. Amazing pieces. Detailed explanations. A mix of image, articles and film makes the visit varied. Was lucky to assist in a guest speaker on the art of feather decoration. Very interesting.

clemens N.

Google

We have been to the Museum in december 25 and i'm not sure whether I liked it :-) The museum is grouped by continents and shows some exhibits from every country. As consequence, you see a large variety but only very few exhibits from one country. I would have preferred more exhibits per country, but this would require a museum 10 times as big :-) The presentation is quite impressive, yes it is dimly lit but this makes the exhibits stand out. What I found really missing, are explanations in not-french ;-) Translating descriptions fully into English would surely help international visitors. Also the audio guide is rather thin in other languages than french...

Brian H.

Google

This a quirky little museum with a huge garden entry and a strange collection of artifacts. We wanted to see the crystal skull they had in their collection but it is only visible online. I couldn't help but notice a recurring theme of what seemed to me to be evidence of "Off world" visitors in their collection. You be the judge. We had the Paris Musuem pass so it was fun to check out and really close to our hotel.

Mich _.

Google

Nice museum near the Eiffel Tower. We went there for an exhibition on the diversity of art objects in Africa, South America, Southeast Asia and Oceania. The museum is surrounded by a pretty garden with a view of the tower. You can also stop by for a coffee.

Lily Was H.

Google

One of the most interactive and accessible museums I have ever visited: and the fun activities are not exclusively reserved to children! The display was pretty respectful of the original cultures in my opinion, and it opened my mind a lot. Of course I believe works of art should be displayed in their rightful countries, but, in the meantime, this is as good as it gets. The garden is stunning, too! Accessible features: lots of elevators, no steps at all, tactile and phonic route for visually impaired people, tactile map of the building Other features I liked: storytelling guide, creative space for drawing/colouring/making origami, reading room with lots of wonderful books in a wide range of genres and target ages (Which might double as a quiet room for those with sensory issues, albeit not specifically designed for that), wonderful personnel

AnalíaCroci

Google

This museum has no renowned fame like the Louvre or Orsay but it's totally worth the visit if you are in Paris. The building is very modern and faces the Seine with wonderful views from the rooftop. There are many art exhibitions from all the continents except Europe, with objects that are unique and you may not appreciate anywhere else. If you are curious about world history and culture, this is a great museum to explore. Also, if you go with children they will enjoy it very much.

Chris O.

Google

Great anthropology museum with two special exhibits; one on Chinese Dragons and the other on the Amazon. Both are excellent.

Jean Paul L.

Google

Lovers of textile arts, come and visit the exhibition “Au fil de l’or” held at the Musée du quai Branly – Jacques Chirac from February 11 to July 6, 2025. It offers a fascinating journey from North Africa to Japan, exploring the millennia-old use of gold in textile arts. You’ll be able to admire the beauty, diversity, and richness of garments from regions such as the Maghreb, the Middle East, India, China, and Japan. Guided tours of the exhibition are available, offering a deeper understanding of the works on display. These tours provide an enriching perspective on the history of gold in textile arts.

Britnie M.

Yelp

We had a great time. There was a guide outside who was very helpful, but also so were many inside. My 11 year old and I enjoyed roaming around and looking at exhibits. This is a great gem in Paris.

Jane M.

Yelp

Since we had previously visited the well researched permanent collection, I opted to spend a good two hours in the temporary Mexico exhibition. A thorough presentation of the history of the original Mexican aboriginal people dating back seven thousand years to the migration over the Bering Strait .from Asia. The development of a rich culture over thousands of years and many separate societies, Spanish invasion resulted in plaguesnd the brutal destruction of a glorious culture that was Mexico at that time. The spiritual philosophy of every one of the civilizations remained consistent as the value of celestial guidance and worship ruled all of life.

M n.

Yelp

Lots of interesting artifacts. Lots of scary mask. It was easy to get in and out. My visit was pretty relaxing.

Susan L.

Yelp

(English translation): We visited this museum during our last stay in Paris. My husband liked the exhibits more than I did, but the building was certainly a highlight for me; it's beautiful and fascinating. Also, we love that neighborhood. Nous visitée ce musée pendant notre dernier séjour à Paris. Mon mari apprécié les expositions plus de moi, mais l'édifice est certainement un spectacle pour moi; c'est beau et fascinant. Aussi, nous aimons cet quartier.

Justin S.

Yelp

This is certainly not the "greatest" museum in Paris (competition doesn't get any stiffer), but it is my personal favorite. This collection of artworks and artifacts is completely enthralling and enchanting, especially the masks. Something about them is so psychologically freeing, because they don't adhere to our "western" principles. I could spend hours upon hours looking at this collection. I only wish it was bigger! Coming here is a transporting- and moving- experience. I can't possibly recommend it any more.

Carolyn S.

Yelp

This is a beautiful museum that displays various artifacts from around the world from various time periods and cultures. Most of the information was written in French, but there was enough English so I could get some history about the pieces on the display. Loved the outdoor layout and courtyards.

Alice G.

Yelp

Wow! Came with no expectations- masks? eeew! But I was blown away! This is an amazing collection in a stunning architectural gem! The content was of the highest possible quality and pulled this skeptic in immediately! Far more than masks, this museum has cleverly presented the art, cultural, and musical treasures of the non-western world! The temporary exhibits on Tatoos and Tiki Pop were downright inspiring! I want a dragon tatoo and a volcano drink, stat! And!! It was blazing hot in Paris- 95f- and this museum had superior air-conditioning! Yay!

Stephen H.

Yelp

Large and sprawling museum covering art and history of the Americas, Oceania, Africa, and Asia. It opened in 2006, so it has all the intentionality of a building which was purpose-built, and also has all the most cutting-edge of thinking when it comes to exhibitions, multi-media blending, and foot paths. It has a garden I did not have a chance to traverse but I am very keen to come back and get to know this place better.

L S.

Yelp

Excellent musee! Probably my new favorite museum in the world. It was very large and had an amazing collection! The staff was very helpful. Outside of the building is a beautiful living wall. When you walk into the entrance, it feels like you are walking into the park. I spent several hours here! It is a short walking distance from the Eiffel Tower.

M. C.

Yelp

Interesting museum even if you don't give a damn about ethnic / tribal art. Great example of modern museum design. Most of the museum is upstairs -- you follow a concrete ramp that's got a light projection on it, to be like a "river". Upstairs, the areas of the museum have low lighting (to protect the artworks, but it also gives a "time of out time" feeling to the place) and natural-type pathways (a lot of the museum is designed as though you're walking around dirt/clay "walls"). Fairly big collection but all the spaces are small, so it doesn't feel overwhelming. Pleasant cafe in the garden. Nice museum shop.

Darius L.

Yelp

I wanted to review all kinds if places in Paris. A few months later we're home and haven't found the time. I had to review Quai Branly because it was such a surprise. We had just had lunch at the Eiffel Tower and were on our way to d'Orsay and thought we'd stop at Branly as a bathroom break. Quai Branly is tremendous. It's a hard sell to go all the way to Europe to look at traditional art from everywhere but Europe, but their collection is mind blowing...and there are no crowds of vendors out front. A pool of serenity with a beautiful museum inside it.

Jennifer W.

Yelp

WOW! First sundays of the month are FREE! Although crowded (come early during the day). Fantastic museum with wonderful expositions and lovely architecture. Very insightful touchscreen audio guide for only 5 euros (3 euros students). Summer 2014 Expo "TIKI POP": - 5 stars Excellent history/timeline with many artifacts to look at and read. Lots of detailed historical explanations. You will NOT be bored! Permanent Expositions: 5 stars Asia, Oceania, Africa, and Americas in four sections. Lots of interesting artifacts - the AUDIO GUIDE is a MUST!!

Rachel M.

Yelp

The architecture and design is modern inside and out. The red, yellow, and brown boxes along the side of the building are eye catching. This is definitely a different museum that doesn't have the well lit rooms and white walls like the Musee d'Orsay. It doesn't have the traditional hallways, but the layout of the museum feels like a fluid maze as as you walk from the African exhibition into the Asian art and artifacts. The museum includes lesser known but familiar pieces. It's educational and reveals the world of other cultures.

Ted Q.

Yelp

Surprisingly Awesome! We went here to kill some time before visiting the Eiffel Tower, thinking it would be a quick visit. It was not. The quality and quantity of the displays should be thoroughly enjoyed, so we wound up spending a lot more time here than we expected. Highly recomend!

Saitabao K.

Yelp

A place worth to visit. Rich and vibrant in terms of Artifacts. Enjoyed my time there and was thrilled to see all the cultural history from different continents in the world.

B D.

Yelp

Spectacular collection of oceanic art plus a decent amount of African, Asian and American primitive art in an architecturally significant space. I had no idea France had anything like this. What a treat. I liked this museum better than the Louvre. It isn't convenient to the metro though. Uber or taxi is best. Nice cafe. Very fancy restaurant. Gorgeous gardens.

Vlad G.

Yelp

I was not that interested in african and oceanian art, but was very interested in jean nouvel's living wall. Unfortunately other than what I had already researched, did not find more detail on it and saw it as a little bit of a gimmick pasted on an otherwise brutal volume of metal. The first floor interstitial space under the whale-like structure is very interesting and challenges the perception. Is it part of Paris's "Grand Travaux"? maybe, but not in the francmason symbolism line of Francois Mitterand's great projects.

Guillaume D.

Yelp

Very nice altought the part about the native american is quite small. Large and stunning pieces of Art from Oceania the best part of the museum. free lockers The building is supposed to be a highlight but for myself if was not impressed, especially when i was looking for toilets... thanks to the staff for helping me in this maze...

Carolyn L.

Yelp

The building itself is worth seeing at the Musee du quai Branly! There is a wall covered in grass! Inside, I was a bit bored but I think it would be nice to go through the museum on a guided tour so you know what you're looking at. All in all, I'm glad I checked it out and, if you discover you're not interested, you can always go to the Eiffel Tower next door!

Michael U.

Yelp

The architecture alone warrants a visit while the content warrants a long stay. From "The River" to rotating exhibits to the various continents this may be one of the best conceptualized designs I've ever seen anywhere and when a museum to achieve such a thing it becomes absolutely immersive.

Joseph H.

Yelp

I have wanted to visit this museum since its recent inception, but I always did find excuses rooted in my perceived arduousness of the subject: too many historical periods, too many geographic areas, too elitist. Today we made it a familly affair with my wife and two children getting there by the RER C. The architecture was creative, inviting and yet humble. Right away the visitor is invited to trek along a sinuous path to meet its spiritual ancestry which is embodied by the artifacts. They are presented in the simplest apparel and only the proper amount of light. By the purity, complexity and refinement of some objects the exhibition was effective at developing a sense of spiritual bond between present humans and their ancestors in the search for beauty. For the negative? As always in France everything looks beautiful but organization is hilarious (if you have time and not grumpy); automatic booths do not accept foreign credit cards without mentioning it anywhere and in any language which meant that by the time I threw in the towel my wife who stayed in line stepped to the only maned booth where it was no problem. And the bathroom are apparently not be seen nor heard but smelled all the way down at the bottom when the youngest kid is all the way on top.

Cormac J.

Yelp

The Musee du Quai Branly is part of a two stop afternoon near Eiffel Tower. This is a beautifully presented collection of art from many cultures with quality works presented impeccably. The staff and museum guards are helpful and FRIENDLY! I had more than a couple nice conversations about the art with staff that cared about the art and helping you make a connection to the collections.

Ana D.

Yelp

I'm a huge anthropology fan and I really like this museum. Still, the architecture and gardens are worth seeing. If you're not big into anthropology or if you've been to the Met in NYC or other big anthropology exhibit quai Branly is worth skipping if you have limited time in Paris.

David M.

Yelp

The collection of this museum is truly outstanding, but it is the most poorly organized and disjointed presentation of its assets of any museum I have ever been to. After security & tickets, one gets to the exhibition space via a loooooooooong, winding, uphill climb which wastes the visitor's time and energy. Worse yet, an opportunity to introduce the guiding philosophy and organization of the collection is lost. There must be a reason, beyond entertaining little children, to have a river of swirling words projected on the floor, but no explanation or challenge is apparent. Finally arriving on the exhibition floor, one realizes the museum designers have a plan for the visitor to follow a prescribed route around a loooooong ellipse divided into continental regions. It's not easy to find specific materials if one doesn't want to take the whole world tour and whatever guiding principles determine the order of presentation were lost on me. One culture here, another there with little attention to history or context, just loads of fantastic specimens. And some gaping holes-for example, only 3 textiles representing 2-3000 years of pre-Columbian weaving traditions. The labels were sometimes hard to find or poorly informative (in English). There was very little in depth information for the non-French speaker; perhaps there is in the audio guide. In short, I've been here several times, since shortly after it opened, hoping it will get better. Alas, no. It is the museum I love to hate because it could be and I want it to be so much better. I hope someone will get the message. Would give 5 stars for the objects in its possession, but only 1 for museum experience.

Qype User (.

Yelp

also called chirac museum this museum regroup expositions about old civilizations quite interessant. Even if you re not interested by the topic, the museum itself is a work of art!! inside and outside!! So don't forget to go in university st behind to see aboriginal paintings on the building!

@travelleisure

28,641 Postcards · 5,542 Cities

30 Best Things to Do in Paris

https://www.travelandleisure.com/best-things-to-do-in-paris-8775853

Musée du quai Branly - Jacques Chirac

@cntraveler

42,481 Postcards · 5,683 Cities

The 48 Best Things to Do in Paris

https://www.cntraveler.com/gallery/best-things-to-do-in-paris

Cyrille Weiner

Musée du quai Branly - Jacques Chirac

@goop

4,111 Postcards · 173 Cities

The Paris Art & Architecture Guide

Musée du quai Branly - Jacques Chirac

@cntraveler

42,481 Postcards · 5,683 Cities

15 Best Things to Do in Paris With Kids | Condé Nast Traveler

https://www.cntraveler.com/gallery/best-things-to-do-in-paris-with-kids

Cyrille Weiner

Musée du quai Branly - Jacques Chirac

Helen B.

Google

clemens N.

Google

Brian H.

Google

Mich _.

Google

Lily Was H.

Google

AnalíaCroci

Google

Chris O.

Google

Great anthropology museum with two special exhibits; one on Chinese Dragons and the other on the Amazon. Both are excellent.

Jean Paul L.

Google

Britnie M.

Yelp

We had a great time. There was a guide outside who was very helpful, but also so were many inside. My 11 year old and I enjoyed roaming around and looking at exhibits. This is a great gem in Paris.

Jane M.

Yelp

M n.

Yelp

Lots of interesting artifacts. Lots of scary mask. It was easy to get in and out. My visit was pretty relaxing.

Susan L.

Yelp

Justin S.

Yelp

Carolyn S.

Yelp

Alice G.

Yelp

Stephen H.

Yelp

L S.

Yelp

M. C.

Yelp

Darius L.

Yelp

Jennifer W.

Yelp

Rachel M.

Yelp

Ted Q.

Yelp

Saitabao K.

Yelp

A place worth to visit. Rich and vibrant in terms of Artifacts. Enjoyed my time there and was thrilled to see all the cultural history from different continents in the world.

B D.

Yelp

Vlad G.

Yelp

Guillaume D.

Yelp

Carolyn L.

Yelp

Michael U.

Yelp

Joseph H.

Yelp

Cormac J.

Yelp

Ana D.

Yelp

David M.

Yelp

Qype User (.

Yelp

Musée du quai Branly - Jacques Chirac

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30 Best Things to Do in Paris

The 48 Best Things to Do in Paris

15 Best Things to Do in Paris With Kids | Condé Nast Traveler

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30 Best Things to Do in Paris

The 48 Best Things to Do in Paris

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