15 unmissable alternative museums

Palais de Tokyo is the ultimate ‘place to be’. Considered the Parisian temple of contemporary art, this museum welcomes creativity in all its wonderful forms. Unfortunately, as a result, you can barely move for the excited hordes of art enthusiasts and curious tourists. For a calmer excursion, head for the Maison Rouge, a former printing house in the Bastille area. Now a gallery and museum, expect to find high quality contemporary art alongside carefully considered exhibitions.

Trying to escape Paris in search of some peace and quiet? Sometimes it’s all you can do to ward off that city life migraine. So rather than spending the afternoon slaloming between the crowds at the Pompidou centre, try Vitry’s MAC VAL. A symbol of cultural dynamism in a suburb which is becoming increasingly independent from Paris itself, the MAC VAL features work by some of the big names in contemporary art past and present, from Claude Leveque to Pierre Ardouvin. Worth a short trip on the RER C, surely?

Rodin vs. Zadkine, – the muscular power of the male form against the graceful female figure. An unfair fight you say? Don’t be so sure. The Russian sculptor’s plaster-based ‘Rebecca’ and his ‘Stella’ in walnut wood are just as impressive as Rodin’s famous ‘Le Baiser’. Zadkine’s sculptures emit an elegance which echoes the ambiance of the gallery (also the artist’s former home) – a charming space with airy rooms illuminated by natural light, concealed within a lush garden in the 6th arrondissement.

For photography, obviously you have to follow everyone else and go to the MEP right? Wrong. Open your eyes and leave that sheep mentality behind - Paris has an infinite number of galleries dedicated to the art form, including the famous BAL at la place Clichy. With retrospectives on Man Ray, Marcel Duchamp, Kourtney Roy and Gerard Petrus Fieret on top of their themed exhibitions, you’ll be held in the gallery’s grip from start to finish. 

If you’re a tribal art enthusiast, you may be under the impression that the musée du Quai Branly is your only museum option (its foliage-covered exterior does command attention). But that’s because you haven’t yet heard of the musée Dapper, hidden just a stone’s throw away from its more famous counterpart. Borrowing its name from 17^th century Dutch humanist Olfert Dapper, the museum has been showcasing African and Caribbean art and culture since 1986 – 20 years before the Branly.

Type “Asian art” and “Paris” into any search engine and they’ll tell you to go to “Musée Guimet”. Instead, head for the Musée Cernushi: a magnificent 19th century building in the 8^th arrondissement, housing over 900 Chinese, Korean and Japanese works of art, spread around the remarkable Bouddha de Meguro. A spectacular, unhurried journey through several dynasties, from 1500 BC right through to the middle ages - without hundreds of other people pushing you along. As the ancient Chinese proverb goes: he who hurries cannot walk with dignity…

For general architecture, we can all agree that the impressive Cité de l'Architecture et du Patrimoine in the Palais de Chaillot is the place to go. However, when it comes to new building designs, hit up the Marais’ Solo Galerie. In an unprecedented project, the gallery showcases architects’ work based on their artistic technique and designs, instead of the actual realisation of their architectural plans. Pritzker Prize laureates and young international prodigies are amongst those featured.

You can discover Paris’s history, from the Gallo-Roman era to the French revolution, at both Thermes de Cluny and Musée Carnavalet. The only difference is that the first tends to be jam-packed with people desperate to see the famous tapestry ‘La Dame à la Licorne’ (The Lady and the Unicorn), while the second allows for a calm, pleasant amble through half-deserted corridors.

Far from being adversaries, these two museums go together perfectly in their way of seeing the world and humanity. Recently re-opened after six years of renovations, the new Musée de l’Homme guides us to a better understanding of who we are and how we’ve evolved over time through fun, well-ordered displays and exhibits. Meanwhile the Cité Nationale de l'Histoire de l'Immigration - initially built (ironically) for the Paris Colonial Exposition the 1930s - is now an educational tribute to France’s history with immigration. Both are incredibly important non-profit organisations you won’t want to miss. 

Exploring the Grande Galerie de l’Évolution in the Muséum national d'histoire naturelle feels a bit like watching the animals board Noah’s ark. It’s truly fascinating stuff but, unfortunately, it’s teeming with equally fascinated people. So if you want to marvel at stuffed beasts without using your elbows as weapons against fellow museum-goers, go to the Musée de la Chasse et de la Nature. A true cabinet of curiosities, including stuffed owls and foxes lounging together on a Louis XVI armchair. Even better, there’ll be next to nobody to disturb your unique safari trip. 

It’s a well-known fact that children (and grown-ups too) are more receptive to learning when they’re having fun, something these two museums know very well. However, if you want to avoid your little sprogs throwing a tantrum in the long queues for the Citée des Science’s immensely popular interactive installations, take them to the Musée des Arts Forains in Bercy. This funfair-themed museum has everything, from carrousels to a piano which constantly plays the music from ‘Murder on the Orient Express’ (the only installation with a slight queue).

The draw of the musée Grevin remains a mystery - those wax celebrity lookalike statues are tacky as hell. Still, we love it and we’ll even pay the 20 entrance fee. The only thing is, we’re not alone – far from it – and to have our photo taken with Angelina Jolie’s waxen doppleganger, involves a 15-strong queue. So if the wait gets too much, leave those celeb doubles behind (it’s not like they’re going anywhere) and head for the Musée des Automates, full of curious mechanical figurines, brought to life.