Paris’ museums cater to lovers of all manner of art forms. Fans of sculpture can head to the Zadkine, Rodin or Picasso museums. Lovers of Impressionism flock to the Marmottan, Orangerie and Orsay museums. Fashion enthusiasts love the Galleria, Fondation Louis Vuitton or Mona Bismarck.
But perhaps some of the finest museums in Paris are those dedicated to architecture. There are museums in buildings by Haussmann, Garnier and Le Corbusier alike. More often than not, Paris museums are located in unique and stunning environs. But the most comprehensive architecture museum in the city would have to the be the Cité de l’architecture et du patrimoine.
The museum is held in a lofty, bright white space, very different to the Haussmannien surrounds of the Jacquemart André, or the compact design of the Fondation Le Corbusier. In this high-ceilinged hall, you will find Romanesque arches, Gothic church façades and pieces of Medieval brickwork from around the city. The museum focusses largely on the history of church architecture, though there are also models of some of the city’s best-known monuments and plenty of information on the history of French architectural styles and methods.
Split into three galleries, the museum admirably covers French architecture from the 12th century to the contemporary period. It may seem over-ambitious, but take a look out the wide windows overlooking arguably the finest architecture city in the world, the Eiffel Tower in full view, and it’s clear if any place could manage such a feat, it’s this one.
Les Musées de Paris 
Or lunch on the terrace with the Eiffel Tower in view if the weather is co-operative. The bookshop and café are both excellent. I’ve never been to the permanent exhibition here, just temporary exhibitions, which have been terrific.
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Good suggestion, Susan! Yes I adore the bookshop there.
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