Musée Guimet

Updated on September 13, 2026

The Musée Guimet is the National Museum of Asian Arts, located in the 16th arrondissement of Paris, on Place Iéna. Founded by Lyon industrialist Émile Guimet in 1889, the Musée Guimet is the largest museum in Europe devoted exclusively to Asian arts. It offers a journey through five millennia of Asian art, from Afghanistan to Japan, by way of China.

Highlights

The Japanese prints

The Japanese collection comprises around 11,000 works: vases, figurines, ceramics, silk paintings, sculptures, screens… but also magnificent prints that are well worth seeing.

The Indian and South Asian sculptures

On the ground floor, you'll find the Indian and South Asian collections. Statues and other architectural elements from the Khmer empire are on display here, including the pink sandstone porch from the Khmer temple of Banteay Srei. The Indian sculptures, meanwhile, mainly reflect the religions practiced in India, particularly Buddhism.

The Trocadéro

The Musée Guimet is just a stone's throw from the Eiffel Tower. Take the opportunity to stroll through the roughly 93,000 square meters of the Trocadéro gardens and admire the Iron Lady.

The Buddhist Pantheon

The Buddhist Pantheon is an annex of the Musée Guimet, built in 1913. Giant bamboo, wooden bridges, streams… you'll feel transported by this unusual, zen Japanese garden. In summer, this peaceful haven offers a bit of coolness while letting you admire figures revered in Japan's Buddhist temples.

Infos pratiques

Tips

On the first Sunday of the month, admission to the Musée Guimet is free. If you're planning to visit the museum on a weekend, it's a good idea to book your tickets online in advance to avoid overly long lines. The Musée Guimet gift shop is also worth a visit. It features a bookstore as well as high-quality artisanal products.

How to get there

You can reach the Musée Guimet by metro via line 9, "Iéna" station. The museum is also accessible by RER, via line C, at "Boulainvilliers" station. If you prefer the bus, lines 22, 30, 32, 63, and 82 will drop you off nearby.