Art School Trip To Paris

The largest museum in the world, this is the home of the Mona Lisa plus works by masters from the most important and exciting movements in the world, and essential French works such as those by Jacques-Louis David. Students can also expand their contextual studies by viewing the museum’s vast collection of Islamic art and artefacts from the Middle East.

Tip: Pre-booking is compulsory

For those looking for a particularly French experience, head to the Musée D’Orsay, set in a former railway station. It boasts the largest collection of impressionist and post-impressionist masterpieces in the world, by painters such as Monet, Manet, Degas, Renoir, Cézanne, Seurat and Gauguin. Students can also view sculptures, furniture and photography.

Tip: Pre-booking is essential for groups

As well as housing the largest collection of modern and contemporary art in Europe, the Centre Pompidou’s unique design allows students to explore the presentation of art and also gives them an opportunity to broaden their own influences. Set in the Beaubourg area, the external architecture draws crowds of visitors in its own right.

Tip: Pre-booking is compulsory for groups

This gallery of impressionist and post-impressionist paintings sits in the west corner of the Tuileries Gardens. Most famous for housing eight Water Lilies murals by Claude Monet, it also contains works by Paul Cézanne, Henri Matisse, Amedeo Modigliani, Pablo Picasso, Pierre-Auguste Renoir, Henri Rousseau, Alfred Sisley and Chaim Soutine among others. Photo © Stephen Carlile

This permanent exhibition in Montmartre is devoted to the master of surrealism. It holds the largest collection of Dalí sculptures in France, showing the artist’s fantastic imagination in three dimensions, as well as Dalí’s complete collection of rare hand-signed etchings illustrating the major themes of universal literature, mythology, history and religion.

Students can study major works by the French sculptor Auguste Rodin, including The Thinker and The Kiss. Rodin donated his entire collection of sculptures to the French state on the condition that they turn Hôtel Biron, his former residence, into a museum dedicated to his works. Many of his sculptures are displayed in the museum’s extensive garden.

At this waxwork museum, founded in 1882, students can get up close to famous figures in a panorama of French history from Charlemagne to Napoleon III and bloody scenes of the French Revolution. They also ‘meet’ waxwork movie stars, and figures from Einstein to Gandhi. Fun tours are offered, including one where students can dress up as ‘ennobled’ characters. Photo © Alexandre Duret-Lutz.

The museum offers a rare opportunity to learn about the impressionist movement in an in-depth way, allowing students to spark appreciation and gain a deeper understanding of some of its artists. The museum holds the world’s largest collection of works by Monet, along with work by Morisot, Degas, Manet, Sisley, Pissarro, Gauguin, Signac and Renoir.

This major municipal museum is dedicated to Modern and Contemporary art of the 20th and 21st centuries. Constructed for the International Exhibition of Arts and Technology of 1937, its collections include The Dance by Matisse, Nude in the Bath and The Garden by Bonnard, The Cardiff Team by Robert Delaunay, Discs by Léger and The Stopover by Lhote. Photo © Dalbera.

Visit the home of Claude Monet where he lived for almost 43 years and see the flower garden and water garden that he cultivated as works of art in themselves. Walking through his house and gardens, students can still feel the atmosphere which reigned at the home of the master of impressionism and admire the floral compositions which inspired the artist. Giverny is 75km from central Paris. (Seasonal opening)

Look out from Paris’ highest roof terrace on the 56th floor of the Montparnasse Tower for unsurpassed views of the Eiffel Tower and iconic Parisian skyline. Students can explore the city’s layout and beautiful architecture, while enjoying the panoramic views, interactive exhibitions and 360° Café that make this a highlight on any tour to Paris.

Tip: Educational work material available.