Why Choose Paris for Your Art & Design Students?

Where To Go In Paris To Support Your Chosen Art & Design Titles

Paris is synonymous with fine arts, but it is also home to lesser-known gems that support a wide range of Art and Design titles. From textiles and fashion, to graphic communication, photography and three-dimensional design, this vibrant city offers something to inspire every budding creative. 

We asked our Paris experts to recommend the top museums, galleries and cultural spots for students undertaking various Art and Design titles. 

Top 5 Parisian Galleries for Students of Fine Art

1. Louvre: Home to some of the most famous masterpieces in Western art, the Louvre's vast collection of paintings and sculptures offers students a unique opportunity to study technique and artistic evolution firsthand.
2. Musée d’Orsay: Renowned for its unparalleled collection of Impressionist and Post-Impressionist masterpieces, the Musée d’Orsay allows students to explore how artists like Monet, Degas, and Van Gogh broke away from traditional art forms.
3. Musée de l'Orangerie: Dedicated to Monet’s monumental Water Lilies series, the Orangérie immerses students in the artist’s vision of light, colour, and natural beauty.
4. Musée Picasso: Showcasing Picasso’s groundbreaking works in painting, sculpture, and drawing, this museum provides invaluable insight into the creative process of one of the most influential modern artists.
5. Musée Rodin: Set in a beautiful mansion and gardens, the Musée Rodin allows students to study the powerful expressiveness and dynamic forms of Rodin’s sculptures up close.

Best Galeries for Textile Design 

1. Musée des Art Décoratifs: The collection of textiles from various periods and styles will provide inspiration for patterns, motifs, and craftsmanship from different eras and regions
2. Quai Branly: Admire the traditional techniques employed in indigenous textiles and costume, and learn how textiles are tied to identity, ceremony and storytelling
3. Palais Galliera (Musée de la Mode de Paris): A dedicated museum showcasing haute couture and fashion design from centuries of fashion history
4. Mobilier National des Gobelins: famous for producing, and preserving exquisite tapestries and textiles
5. Galerie Dior: Celebrates the luxurious world of Dior’s haute couture, featuring signature silhouettes, innovative fabrics and impeccable craftsmanship

Best for Graphic Communication & Graphic Design Titles

1. Musée des Art Décoratifs: The largest collection of applied arts in Europe featuring graphic design, publicity and advertising exhibitions spanning Art Nouveau and Art Deco to contemporary eras.
2. Musée de l’Imprimerie (Printing Museum): Offers insight into the history of typography and printmaking.
3. Local Parisian Signage is a great source of inspiration for graphics students: The iconic Art Nouveau metro signs designed by Hector Guimard and the blue enamel street name plaques with white lettering are instantly recognisable and embody the city’s visual identity.

Sculpture & Three-Dimensional Design Locations in Paris

1. Musée Rodin: Set in a beautiful mansion and gardens, the Musée Rodin allows students to study the powerful expressiveness and dynamic forms of Rodin’s sculptures up close.
2. Musée Picasso Paris: The museum features a superb collection of more than 300 sculptures, ceramics and three-dimensional works of this influential modern artist.
3. Musée des Art Décoratifs: Features a blend of traditional and contemporary design, including furniture, product design, and installations.
4. Quai Branly Jacques Chirac: A vast collection of indigenous sculpture, costumes and artifacts from Africa, Asia, Oceania, and the Americas
5. La Défense Outdoor Art Collection: There are seventy pieces of contemporary artwork scattered throughout the business district including large-scale sculptures by Calder and Miro. Don’t miss the statue, La Défense de Paris, which gave the district its name.
6. Parc de la Villette: Designed as a deconstructed building, this urban park contains an eclectic array of architecture, sculpture and interactive installations, as well as many of the city's important cultural venues.

Best Photography Collections in Paris

1. Quai Branly Jacques Chirac: The museum has a vast collection of photographic pieces dating back to 1842 and funds a prestigious annual award for contemporary photographers
2. Maison Européenne de la Photographie: A must-visit museum showcasing contemporary and classic photography.
3. Fondation Henri Cartier Bresson: Celebrates the work of the legendary photographer and hosts changing exhibitions from emerging talents.
4. Galerie Polka: A trendy gallery featuring works by renowned photojournalists and modern photographers.

Why Choose Paris for Your Art & Design Trip?

✅ Unrivalled Artistic Heritage: Home to world-class galleries and museums, Paris is the epicentre of Western art history and modern creative expression.

✅ Diverse Creative Inspiration: Discover art forms from painting and sculpture to textiles, graphic design, fashion, and three-dimensional design, all within one city.

✅ Iconic Landmarks: Explore the landmarks immortalised in art, including the Champs Élysées (Jean-Georges Béraud), Tuileries (Édouard Manet), Pont Neuf (Johan Barthold Jongkind), Luxembourg Garden (Helena Sturtevant) & Montmartre’s atmospheric streets.

✅ Inspirational Parks for Sketching: Try the view of the Pyramide or Arc de Triomphe from the Tuileries Gardens, or the Coulée Verte, a disused railway line converted into a car-free trail with viewpoints, greenery and street art.

✅ Expert Advice: The Paris experts at Voyager can put together an itinerary to suit your learning objectives and can assist with museum bookings and guide arrangements.

Bring your students to the city that inspired local French masters, including Monet, Cézanne, Renoir and Braque, and drew non-French artists such as Picasso, Modigliani, and Chagall alike.

Feeling inspired? ➡ Take a look at this GCSE & A-Level Art & Design Tour of Paris!

Or get in touch with our Paris experts to sketch out your bespoke Art & Design tour to Paris.