5 museums to discover in the 16ᵉ arrondissement of Paris

Often reduced to its beautiful avenues and residential calm, the 16ᵉ arrondissement of Paris is nonetheless home to fascinating, sometimes little-known, often surprising museums. Fashion, anthropology, architecture, contemporary art: the district turns out to be far more cultural than it seems.

Palais Galliera – The museum of fashion (and elegance)

Housed in a Renaissance palace facing the garden of the same name, the Palais Galliera is Paris’s fashion museum par excellence. Instead of a permanent collection, it presents eagerly awaited temporary exhibitions, often devoted to iconic figures (Alaïa, Balenciaga, Gabrielle Chanel).

The place stands out for its immersive scenography, which combines period clothing, video installations and sound archives. Exhibitions are conceived as narratives: you don’t look at dresses, you enter an era, a style, a way of life. And don’t forget: the recently renovated underground galleries are air-conditioned, making them perfect for summer.

📍Palais Galliera, 10 Av. Pierre 1er de Serbie, 75116 Paris

Musée Guimet – A trip to Asia… without leaving Paris

The Musée national des arts asiatiques – Guimet is a treasure trove in its own right. Its collection, one of the richest in Europe, covers the entire Asian continent, from Afghanistan to Japan, with rare, often exceptional pieces: Khmer Buddha statues, Japanese prints, textiles from Mughal India.

We come here for the majestic calm of the place, the elegance of the rooms, but also for the temporary exhibitions that offer bridges between the past and contemporary creation. The experience is exotic, erudite, but never pretentious. Special mention must be made of the central rotunda, a veritable architectural masterpiece that sets the tone from the moment you enter.

📍Musée national des arts asiatiques – Guimet, 6 Pl. d’Iéna, 75116 Paris

Cité de l’architecture et du patrimoine – Another way to read Paris

Located in the right wing of the Palais de Chaillot, opposite the Eiffel Tower, the Cité de l’architecture et du patrimoine is well worth a visit. This unique museum traces the history of French architecture through models, casts, technical drawings and projections.

The tour is impressive for its clarity and richness. You’ll discover how cathedrals were conceived, how cities were structured and, above all, how buildings interact with society. Upstairs, temporary exhibitions offer unexpected angles on urban planning, renovation and avant-garde architecture. It’s also one of the few places to combine culture and education with such finesse.

📍Cité de l’architecture et du patrimoine, 1 Pl. du Trocadéro et du 11 Novembre, 75116 Paris

Musée de l’Homme – Anthropology on stage

Housed in the Palais de Chaillot, the Musée de l’Homme explores the human adventure in a lively, interactive and powerful way. We explore the origins of the species, the great migrations, cultural diversity and the contemporary challenges of ecology and progress.

The museography combines ethnographic objects, reconstructions and digital devices, offering a clear and sensory reading of the great human questions. It’s a museum that makes you think as much as it awakens your curiosity. Ideal for a family audience, but also for those seeking a less rigid, more embodied culture.

📍Musée de l’Homme, 17 Pl. du Trocadéro et du 11 Novembre, 75016 Paris

Palais de Tokyo – Immersive contemporary art

It’s the liveliest place in the district, and indeed in the whole of Paris when it comes to contemporary art. The Palais de Tokyo captivates visitors with its vastness and bold, ever-changing approach to contemporary art.

Here, you don’t “visit” an exhibition: you enter, you move around, you’re often pushed around. Installations are sometimes monumental, often immersive, always daring. The Palais also hosts performances, projections, talks and even DJ sets. A café, rooftop and arty bookshop complete the experience. Perfect for those who love art that’s alive, moving and provocative.

📍Palais de Tokyo, 13 Av. du Président Wilson, 75116 Paris

The 16ᵉ, a neighborhood more vibrant than it seems

Behind its peaceful allure, the 16ᵉ arrondissement harbors an unsuspected cultural intensity. These five museums prove it: each offers a singular experience, often immersive, always demanding. Whether you’re passionate about fashion, curious about ancient civilizations or a lover of contemporary art, the 16ᵉ holds out its arms to you.

Want to extend your immersion? Discover our cultural itineraries, secret addresses and places to experience on parisselectbook.com. And turn a simple visit into an unforgettable exploration.