Paris Museum Guide

Licensed Tour Guide for Paris Museums

Paris Museum Guide : From the Louvre to Orsay, these renowned museums present centuries of artistic and cultural evolution. Deciding between a private tour with a licensed tour guide and a self-guided visit with an audio guide is key to shaping your experience. A self-guided tour with an audio guide offers the flexibility to explore at your own pace, while a tour led by a certified guide provide personalized insights, and interactive engagement.

Paris Museum Guide

Paris is home to an extraordinary cultural landscape, with around 136 museums in the city and over 140 across the wider Grand Paris area. At the heart of it stands the world-famous Louvre. The city also offers a wealth of smaller gems, from intimate house museums to private collections. PARIS BY EMY Private Museum guide with skip-the-line access booking is possible ONLY within a Paris Tour Package. Your Paris travel planner specializes in offering complete and customized packages.

How to Visit Paris Museums

Exploring Paris museums is one of the most rewarding ways to experience the city’s art, history, and culture. You can choose from personalized options that match your interests, schedule, and budget.

2-Hour Private Paris Museum Tour with a Licensed Guide

Enjoy a fully private museum experience with your own licensed expert guide.
From €550 / USD $575 for a group of up to 4 people — fast-pass entry included.

Skip-the-Line Tickets with Audio Guide

Prefer to explore independently? Choose fast-track entry and an official audio guide for unlimited visiting time.
€25 per person / USD $26

Paris Museum Pass – 50 Museums and Monuments

Discover the best of Paris at your own pace with the official Paris Museum Pass, granting access to over 50 museums and landmarks.
€70 per person / USD $75 for 2 days

Whether you want the flexibility of self-guided visits or the depth of a private guided tour, PARIS BY EMY helps you experience Paris museums seamlessly.

Paris Museum Monument Private Tour

Louvre Visit Statistics – Estimation

• 70–80% explore the Louvre independently with an audio guide or mobile app
• 15–20% visit the Louvre with a private guide or as part of an organized group
• 5–10% of visitors take a tour directly through the Louvre Museum itself

Paris Museum Licensed Tour Guide vs. Self Guided with Audio Guide

When it comes to experiencing Parisian museums, travelers often face a dilemma : should they opt for a private tour with a licensed guide or rely on an audioguide ?

• Benefits of Paris museum tour guide

Licensed guides undergo extensive training and possess in-depth knowledge of the museum’s collections. They can offer historical context, artistic insights, and captivating stories behind the masterpieces you encounter. Their expertise transforms the museum visit into a rich learning experience, enriching your understanding of art.

However, they can be costly and may require advance booking, potentially limiting spontaneity during your visit while giving you his/her own art selection.

• Benefits of an audio guide with skip-the-line ticket

These portable devices provide audio commentary allowing to explore at your own pace. You can pause, rewind, or skip ahead that pique your interest, making it ideal for independent travelers. For budget-conscious travelers, audioguides present a cost-effective alternative, a fraction of the cost of hiring a licensed guide and offer flexibility in terms of itinerary and timing.

They are often more budget-friendly and readily available, but lack the personalized attention and interaction provided by a live guide.

In both case, PARIS BY EMY will set and book your so famous “skip-the-line tickets” with audioguide or with a licensed guide from its business partners network of licensed guide Parisian companies. The choice between a licensed guide or simply having an audioguide depends on your preferences and budget.

Paris Museum and Private Driving Tour

From 1,450 Euros – USD1,690

• Museum Visit a private tour guide : Around 2 hours

• Lunch Break: 1 hour

• Private Driving Tour with a licensed guide : 4 hours

Paris Museum and Private Walking Tour

From 950 Euros – USD1,110

• Museum Visit with a private tour guide: Around 2 hours

• Lunch Break: 1 hour

• Private Walking Tour with a local guides : 2 to 3 hours

In addition to choose a Paris Museum tour, discover our customized Paris Tour Package page.

Selection of Paris Museums by Theme

Paris Museums Tour for Kids

• National Museum of Natural History established in 1635, great for children
• Cité des Enfants (at Cité des Sciences) – A hands-on science museum for kids.
• Musée en Herbe – An art museum for young visitors with playful exhibitions.
• Le Musée Grévin – Paris’s wax museum, featuring lifelike figures of celebrities.

Paris Art Museums Tour Guide

• Louvre Museum – Home to Mona Lisa and extensive collection of masterpieces
• Musée d’Orsay – Showcasing Impressionist and Post-Impressionist works
• Centre Pompidou – A hub for modern and contemporary art of 20th
• Musée de l’Orangerie – Famous Monet’s Water Lilies and collection of 19-20th
• Musée Picasso- Collection of Pablo Picasso’s artworks, in historic Hôtel Salé
• Musée Rodin- Masterpieces of Auguste Rodin, set in 18th-century mansion

History Museums Tour Guide in Paris

• Musée Carnavalet – History of Paris, from its origins to the present day
• Conciergerie – Medieval palace former prison where Marie Antoinette was held
• Musée de l’Armée (Invalides) – France’s military history and Napoleon’s tomb.
• Musée de la Libération de Paris – Story of liberation during World War II.

Science Parisian Museums Tour

• Cité des Sciences et de l’Industrie – Interactive science museum with exhibits
• Palais de la Découverte – Scientific discovery with hands-on experiments
• Muséum National d’Histoire Naturelle – Natural history, from dinosaur skeletons
• Musée des Arts et Métiers – Innovation with historical scientific inventions

Bizarre & Unusual Museums Tour

• Musée des Vampires et Monstres de l’Imaginaire – Vampire legends
• Musée Fragonard d’Alfort – Anatomical specimens, some dating back centuries
• Musée de la Magie – A fascinating look into the history of magic and illusion
• Catacombs of Paris – Underground ossuary of 6 million Parisians remains

Fashion & Luxury Museums

• Musée Yves Saint Laurent – Works of the legendary fashion designer
• Palais Galliera – Paris’s museum of fashion, exhibitions of haute couture
• Musée des Arts Décoratifs – Decorative arts, fashion, jewelry, and furniture
• Fondation Louis Vuitton – Contemporary art space with exhibitions

Paris Hidden Gems Museum

Exploring Paris’s hidden museums can be a delightful way to experience the city’s rich and diverse cultural heritage. PARIS BY EMY offers the perfect solution, recommending expert licensed guides who are well-versed in the intricacies of each museum’s collection. With their expertise, you’ll gain a deeper understanding and appreciation for these hidden treasures of Paris.

Musée de Cluny – National Museum of the Middle Ages

The museum houses famous collections of sculptures, stained glass, ivories, tapestries, paintings, enamels and many other wonders from the 1st to the 15th century.

Dior Museum

Musée Christian Dior is Located in the heart of Paris. This museum celebrates the life and work of Christian Dior, one of the most influential designers of the 20th century. Through stunning exhibitions, visitors can explore his groundbreaking creations, including his famous “New Look” that revolutionized women’s fashion in the post-war era.

Musée Guimet

Founded in 1889, the Guimet Museum presents the most complete collection of Asian arts in the world. It was born from Émile Guimet’s grand project to create a museum. Passionate about the Orient and its civilizations, he gathered his exceptional collections there, notably those brought back from his travels to Japan, China and India in 1876-1877.

Musée de Montmartre

Nestled in the heart of Montmartre, this museum offers a glimpse into the bohemian past of the neighborhood. It features works by artists like Toulouse-Lautrec and Modigliani, and its charming gardens provide a peaceful retreat with beautiful views.

Musée Nissim de Camondo

This mansion-turned-museum near Parc Monceau offers a look at the lifestyle of a wealthy Parisian family in the 20th century. It showcases an exquisite collection of French decorative arts and furnishings.

Musée de la Vie Romantique

Tucked away in a quaint house in the 9th arrondissement, this museum captures the spirit of the Romantic era. It showcases the works and memorabilia of writer George Sand and other Romantic artists, writers, and musicians.

Exclusive Paris Museum Tour

PARIS BY EMY provides exclusive private guided tours for the Louvre, Sainte Chapelle, the Opera Garnier and The Eiffel Tower as well.

• These tours stand out as they are led by highly qualified, licensed guides, offering a level of insight and expertise beyond what is typically available.
• Unlike standard “skip-the-line” tickets, these exclusive tours are not accessible through regular booking channels but on request.

Exclusive museum private tours are ensuring a unique and enriching experience that goes deeper into the history of each site with a special access to the sites.

Paris Museum with Licensed Tour Guides

PARIS BY EMY works with carefully selected tour guide agencies and independent guides from its trusted business network, united by shared values and a strong commitment to professionalism and cultural mediation. Whether you’re interested in a particular museum, an exhibition or a specific art department, PARIS BY EMY tailores the tour to your museum’s preferences.

Practical information

From €175 per person – USD $185

Duration: Minimum 2 hours

Tickets are included as part of the tour

Museum tickets are not refundable and changeable

Availability: Offered year-round with flexible start times

Paris Museum Licensed Guide Credentials

Licensed guides are accredited by Paris or France’s official tourism boards with the licenced guide card/degree. The card is awarded to holders of the professional bachelor degree of tour guide, OR to holders of a national master’s degree having validated during their training, OR to holders of a diploma conferring the grade of master degree justifying at least 1 year of professional experience accumulated over the last 5 years in the oral mediation of heritage.

Language Proficiency

Guides speak English fluently of C1 level of the Common European Framework of Reference.

Experience of Paris Museum Tour Guide

They have formal training in guided tours (conferences, educational activities) and cultural fields.

Art History Background

Art History is the study of artistic expression throughout the ages. It examines all forms of art within their historical context, exploring their meaning, impact, and influence on society. Art History goes beyond a simple timeline of art movements, it is the study of artworks in relation to their historical, social, and cultural setting. Art historians analyze the significance of visual arts such as painting, sculpture, and architecture within the era in which they were created. Determining who created a work of art, as well as when, where, and why it was made, are among the key goals of this discipline.

History Expertise

Ancient history encompasses the development of humanity from early tribal societies to the rise and fall of ancient civilizations around the world before 1500 CE. The period of Late Antiquity and the Middle Ages was one of remarkable religious, social, economic, political, and cultural transformation. Modern European history, beginning with the era of the French Revolution, explores ideas and changes that still resonate today. Europe’s development of industrial capitalism reshaped the global economy through markets and imperialism.

Art School & Creative Design

Art can be defined as any creative human expression. The most familiar forms are the visual arts, such as painting and sculpture. This field also includes various design disciplines, graphic design, fashion, crafts, and industrial design among them. Art and Design often involve experimentation, planning, and testing different techniques and styles. Generating ideas is just as essential as the act of creating the artwork itself.

Cultural Mediation – Connecting You to Culture

Cultural mediation fosters encounters with art and through art. It promotes the sharing of artworks and the growth of artistic expression through meaningful, sensory experiences. It builds bridges between diverse cultural worlds through dialogue and exchange, enriching artistic and professional careers. Mediation is therefore a dynamic and evolving practice. From a public policy perspective, cultural mediation first focused on access to heritage and creative works (cultural democratization). It later expanded to include public participation (cultural democracy) and recognition of individual contributions (cultural rights).

Tourism and Hospitality Background

Tourism includes leisure, recreation, and business travel, encompassing a wide range of activities such as sightseeing, cultural exchange, and immersive experiences. Within this industry, travel agencies play a key role in assisting clients with planning and booking trips, covering flights, accommodations, transportation, and activities while providing personalized advice for a seamless journey. A Private Tour Guide complements this work by leading travelers on sightseeing tours, sharing in-depth knowledge about local attractions, history, and culture. Tour guides must be knowledgeable, engaging, and skilled in managing visitors from diverse backgrounds.

Paris based

Licensed guide agencies and independent licensed guides in partnership with PARIS BY EMY are all Paris based because the tours are given on the Parisian heritage although the guide card is national. Each guide has its own art specialty, art selection tour and art expertise according to actually specific fields or museums. They give you their knowledge with their own personality, itinerary tour and subjectivity as well.

Paris Museums with Licensed Guides

Emelyne Bonnes, founder of Paris by Emy, is a travel planner since 2018 and also a state-certified tour guide. She studied sociology and cultural mediation, and is taking art history courses at the École du Louvre on a permanent way. She holds the national professional guiding badge, allowing her to conduct tours in all major museums and historical monuments in France.

• All licensed guide agencies and independent guides partnered with PARIS BY EMY are based in Paris, as their tours focus on the city’s rich heritage, although their official guide certification is national.
• Each guide specializes in particular artistic fields or museums, offering expert insight within their chosen area. They share their knowledge with personality, creativity, and passion.
• The tour will be designed to suit your level of interest and profile. Opting for a private tour with a licensed guide in Paris can elevate the museum experience to new heights.