Paris, the City of Light. Millions of travelers perceive it as an ideal destination.

With architectures spanning the Middle Ages (Abbey of Saint-Germain-des-Prés) to the 21st century (Frank Gehry’s Louis Vuitton Foundation), Paris offers a way to time travel through beauty. It is the birthplace of Gothic and Art Deco styles, of postmodern aesthetics even. The Cathedral of Notre-Dame de Paris (1163–1345), the Dôme des Invalides (1677–1707), the École Militaire (1751–1780), the Palais Garnier (1861–1875), the Eiffel Tower and the Grand Palais—all can be considered masterpieces in an open-air museum as large as the city itself. Within this vast museum thrive about 200 institutions with collections of their own.

“One of my favorite things about Paris is the concentration of cultural hot spots,” says French artist and academician Jean-Michel Othoniel.

Opposite the Musée du Louvre and its 38,000 works of art stands the Musée d’Orsay, known for its Impressionist treasures. Further along the Seine is the Petit Palais, the Musée d’Art Moderne de la Ville de Paris, the Palais de Tokyo . . . However difficult it may be to choose among them, here is our pick of the 12 best museums in the Ville Lumière.

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