Is the Musée du Quai Branly Worth a Stop in Paris?
The Musée du Quai Branly gathers art from Africa, Asia, Oceania and the Americas inside a riverside building wrapped in a living green wall, a short walk from the Eiffel Tower. Here is what the ticket covers, how a visit flows, and what to know before you book.
About This Experience
37 Quai Branly, 75007 Paris, beside the Seine near the Eiffel Tower
Alma-Marceau (line 9) or RER C at Pont de l'Alma
Tuesday through Sunday, 10:30 to 19:00, until 22:00 on Thursdays, closed Mondays
$16
1.5 to 2 hours
The Jean Nouvel building, wrapped in a living green wall
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Check current prices and open time slots for the Musée du Quai Branly admission ticket below.
Is the Musée du Quai Branly Ticket Worth It?
The admission ticket ($16, rated 4.5 from 279 reviews) is straightforward, and it gets you into a museum unlike any other in Paris. The Jean Nouvel building itself, wrapped in a living green wall, sits right on the river a few minutes' walk from the Eiffel Tower, and the dim, winding galleries hold African masks, Asian textiles, Oceanic carvings and art from the Americas under one roof.
If your Paris itinerary already includes the Eiffel Tower, this museum slots in naturally on the same afternoon, since it sits about ten minutes away on foot. For a broader look at how it compares with the city's other collections, our full Paris museums guide covers everything from the Louvre to smaller specialty museums like this one.
What You'll See
The collection spans four continents and one distinctive building. These are the highlights most visitors set aside time for:
- Arts of Africa, Asia, Oceania and the Americas under one roof
- Masks, textiles, sculpture and musical instruments from across the world
- The Jean Nouvel building and its famous living green wall
- Dim, winding galleries designed for atmosphere
- A riverside setting ten minutes from the Eiffel Tower
- Rotating temporary exhibitions on world cultures
How a Visit Flows
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Arrival
Enter from the Quai Branly
Start at the riverside entrance on the Quai Branly, where the living green wall rises above the walkway.
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First stop
Let your eyes adjust
Step inside and give your eyes a moment to adjust, the galleries stay deliberately dim to set the mood for the objects on display.
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Next
Follow the ramp through Oceania and Asia
Follow the winding ramp up through the Oceania and Asia sections, where masks, textiles and carvings line the dark walls.
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Mid-visit
Continue to Africa and the Americas
Continue along the same route into the Africa and Americas galleries, which round out the world tour under one roof.
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Before you leave
Check the temporary exhibition
See whatever temporary exhibition is running, the museum rotates these regularly and they often expand on a specific region or theme.
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On your way out
See the green wall and walk to the Eiffel Tower
Step back outside to see the living green wall from the garden side, then walk the short distance to the Eiffel Tower.
Know Before You Go
Not suitable for
- A rushed visit, the dim lighting and winding layout reward slowing down
- Visitors who prefer bright, traditional gallery lighting
- Monday visits, since the museum is closed that day
What to bring
- A valid photo ID
- Comfortable shoes for the sloping ramp and several floors
- Your ticket confirmation, printed or on your phone
- A light layer, since the galleries stay cool and dim
Not allowed
- Flash photography in the dimly lit galleries
- Large backpacks or suitcases inside
- Food and drink inside the museum
Insider Tips
A few things make the visit smoother:
- Take Alma-Marceau (line 9) or RER C to Pont de l'Alma for the shortest walk to the entrance
- Visit on a Thursday evening, when the museum stays open until 22:00 and crowds thin out
- Book online ahead of a visit, especially when a major temporary exhibition is on
- Pair the visit with the Eiffel Tower, since it sits about ten minutes away on foot
- Give your eyes a minute to adjust after entering, the dim lighting is part of the design
- Plan around Mondays, since the museum is closed that day
Where You're Headed
Musée du Quai Branly Tickets FAQ
How much are Musée du Quai Branly tickets?
Admission costs $16.
What does the Musée du Quai Branly ticket include?
One ticket covers the permanent collection of African, Asian, Oceanic and American art, plus whatever temporary exhibition is running.
What are the opening hours at the Musée du Quai Branly?
The museum is open Tuesday through Sunday, 10:30 to 19:00, staying open until 22:00 on Thursdays, and it is closed on Mondays.
How do I get to the Musée du Quai Branly by metro?
Alma-Marceau on line 9 is closest, and RER C stops at Pont de l'Alma nearby.
How long does a visit to the Musée du Quai Branly take?
Most visitors spend about 1.5 to 2 hours here.
Is the Musée du Quai Branly close to the Eiffel Tower?
Yes, it sits on the riverside about ten minutes' walk from the Eiffel Tower.
What Visitors Say
The green wall alone is worth the walk over from the Eiffel Tower. Inside felt like nowhere else in Paris.
Loved how the dim lighting makes you focus on the objects instead of rushing past them.
Smaller crowds than the big museums, and the Oceania galleries stayed with me the whole trip.