Tickets for Canal Saint-Martin Cruise from Musée d'Orsay to Parc de la Villette

One of the world's largest and most authoritative museums, the Louvre's magnificent classical silhouette (and funky glass pyramid) are well-known attractions in the center of Paris. But as nice as the Louvre is from the outside, its real magic is in the inside. The Louvre's collection ranges from Mesopotamian, Egyptian, and Greek antiquities, with masterpieces by Da Vinci, Michelangelo, and Rembrandt. With 35,000 works of art (all created before 1848), it's a big, and worthwhile, commitment. The Louvre is one of Paris's Big Three museums; the other two are the Musée d'Orsay (with Impressionist and Post-Impressionist art from the years 1848-1914) and the Centre Pompidou (with 20th-century works created after 1914).

Housed in the stunning Beaux-Arts style Gare d'Orsay railway station, The Musée d'Orsay is home to significant and stunning works by painters including Gauguin, Monet, Manet, Degas, Renoir, Cézanne, and Van Gogh. It's widely considered to be one of the most culturally important museums in the world. Its entire collection is from the period 1848-1914, including many of the most significant Impressionist and post-Impressionist paintings ever created. Chronologically, the works come after those of the neighboring Louvre, and before the collection of the nearby Pompidou Centre.

Europe's largest collection of modern and contemporary art (oh yes, there is a difference!) is housed in a building that was deemed to be architecturally daring in the 20th century. The building features plumbing and piping on the outside and Picasso and Pollock on the inside. And to top it all off, from the rooftop you'll find gorgeous views of Paris and the Eiffel Tower. The Centre Pompidou is one of Paris's 'Big Three' museums – the other two being the Louvre and Musée d'Orsay. The Louvre holds art and artifacts from up until 1848. The Musée d'Orsay contains the world's greatest collection of Impressionist and Post-Impressionist art, all produced between the years 1848-1914. The Centre Pompidou holds 20th and 21st-century works (created after 1914). Altogether, the three museums house a complete timeline of Western art history.