Between museum visits, the banks of the Seine and the streets of the 7th and 15th arrondissements offer a chance to discover other sides of the capital. From Beaugrenelle, near the Eiffel Tower, the main museums on the Left Bank are accessible on foot or by public transportation.
From November 12 to 15, 2026, Paris Photo returns to the Grand Palais for its 29th edition.
Founded in 1997, this international fair brings together galleries, photographers, publishers, and collectors to showcase historical, modern, and contemporary photography. The 2026 edition will be part of the celebrations marking the bicentennial of photography.
As they wander among the booths, visitors discover vintage prints, contemporary works, photography books, and curatorial projects. The events organized during the fair also provide an opportunity to hear from artists, curators, and industry professionals.
The Grand Palais is worth the trip in and of itself. Built for the 1900 World's Fair, it stands out for its large central nave and monumental glass roof, both of which have recently been restored.
Just a short walk away, the Petit Palais offers a complementary visit. Its permanent collections, which are free to visit, feature works by Courbet, Monet, and Cézanne, among others. Its interior garden, surrounded by galleries, offers a pleasant break between visits.
Practical information: Paris Photo takes place November 12–15, 2026, from 1:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Thursday through Saturday and until 7:00 p.m. on Sunday. The Grand Palais is located on Avenue Winston Churchill in the 8th arrondissement.
Explore the Paris Photo 2026 program
From October 6, 2026, to January 31, 2027, the Musée d'Orsay will present “Mary Cassatt: The Independent, ” a retrospective organized to mark the 100th anniversary of the American artist’s death.
Born in Pennsylvania in 1844, Mary Cassatt moved to France and joined the Impressionists. Close friends with Edgar Degas, she developed a body of work focused on portraits of women, scenes of daily life, and family relationships.
The exhibition traces his career in the United States and France, his artistic independence, and his place within the Impressionist movement.
The tour can continue through the museum's permanent collections, which feature works by Monet, Renoir, Manet, Degas, and Van Gogh, among others.
Housed in a former train station built for the 1900 World's Fair, the Musée d'Orsay also features remarkable architecture, with its central nave and large clock.
After the tour, the banks of the Seine lead to the Pont Royal, across from the Tuileries Garden.
Practical information: The Musée d'Orsay is open Tuesday through Sunday, with late-night hours on Thursdays. Allow two to three hours to explore the exhibition and part of the permanent collections.
Explore the Mary Cassatt Exhibition
Located near the Eiffel Tower, the Musée du Quai Branly – Jacques Chirac showcases the arts and civilizations of Africa, Asia, Oceania, and the Americas.
In November 2026, several temporary exhibitions will complement the approximately 3,500 works on display in the permanent collections.
From September 29, 2026, to January 17, 2027, this exhibition explores the artistic traditions of the Indigenous peoples of the North American Northwest Coast. Masks, ceremonial objects, and contemporary works offer a glimpse into artistic practices linked to the stories and traditions of these communities.
On view from September 29, 2026, to January 31, 2027, this exhibition explores the first photographs taken in Tahiti in the 19th century.
It offers an interesting extension of Paris Photo by exploring the early days of photography within the historical context of French Polynesia.
Starting November 10, 2026, artist Roméo Mivekannin explores colonial representations and the history of ethnographic exhibitions. His work combines painting and archival images to examine how colonized peoples have been portrayed.
After visiting the exhibits, take some time to explore the museum’s garden, designed by Gilles Clément. Its paths, plantings, and water features surround the building designed by Jean Nouvel.
Practical information: The museum is located at 37 Quai Jacques Chirac, in the 7th arrondissement. It is open Tuesday through Sunday, with late-night hours on Thursdays.
View the exhibitions at the Musée du Quai Branly
Just a few minutes' walk from each other, the Army Museum and the Rodin Museum offer the perfect opportunity to spend a day exploring French history and sculpture.
The Hôtel national des Invalides, founded under Louis XIV, is home to the Army Museum. Its collections trace several centuries of military history, from ancient armor to the two world wars.
Beneath the Golden Dome, visitors can also see the tomb of Napoleon I, located in the center of a circular crypt.
About a ten-minute walk away, the Rodin Museum is housed in the Hôtel Biron, an 18th-century mansion surrounded by a garden.
Its collections feature several famous works by Auguste Rodin, including *The Thinker*, *The Kiss*, and *The Gates of Hell*, as well as drawings and preparatory studies.
The garden is a highlight of the tour in its own right. In November, the fall colors complement the sculptures lining the paths, with the Dome of Les Invalides visible in the background.
For lunch in the neighborhood, Rue Cler is home to a variety of food shops, cafés, and restaurants, near the École Militaire.
Practical information: The Army Museum is open daily from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. The Rodin Museum is open to visitors Tuesday through Sunday, from 10 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Allow about two hours for each visit.
Between art exhibitions, the 15th arrondissement offers the chance to explore several sites off the beaten path.
The Bir-Hakeim Bridge, recognizable by its two-level metal structure, offers a view of the Eiffel Tower and the Seine. It also provides access to Île aux Cygnes, a pedestrian promenade about 850 meters long located in the middle of the river.
At its southern end stands a replica of the Statue of Liberty, which was unveiled in 1889.
Further east, the Champ-de-Mars leads to the École Militaire. In the nearby streets, the cafés on Avenue de La Motte-Picquet and the shops on Rue du Commerce offer a glimpse into the neighborhood’s everyday life.
In Beaugrenelle, the banks of the Seine and the Port de Grenelle offer other places to stroll, which are especially pleasant when the sky clears up in the late afternoon.
These walking tours can be completed in one or two hours, before visiting a museum or continuing your day in another neighborhood of Paris.
If you want to explore the museums on the Left Bank while staying close to the Eiffel Tower, the Beaugrenelle neighborhood is a convenient option.
The Esteem Tour Eiffel is a four-star boutique hotel with 29 rooms, located in the 15th arrondissement, near Rue du Commerce and the banks of the Seine.
The hotel offers, among other things, double rooms with private terraces overlooking the inner courtyard. The Double Terrace Room, measuring 16 m², features a queen-size bed, a Nespresso machine, and NUXE amenities.
The front desk and concierge service assist travelers in planning their visits and trips.
From the hotel, the Quai Branly Museum and the Eiffel Tower are within walking distance. Public transportation also provides access to Les Invalides, the Musée d'Orsay, and the Grand Palais.
Explore the Rooms at the Esteem Tour Eiffel
Among the scheduled exhibitions are “Mary Cassatt: The Independent” at the Musée d’Orsay, “First Nations” and “Seeing Tahiti” at the Musée du Quai Branly, as well as “Silent Violence,” opening on November 10. Paris Photo will also take place at the Grand Palais from November 12 to 15.
The 29th edition of Paris Photo will take place from November 12 to 15, 2026, at the Grand Palais in the 8th arrondissement. The fair brings together international galleries, artists, and publishers specializing in photography.
The Musée d'Orsay, the Musée du Quai Branly–Jacques Chirac, the Musée Rodin, and the Musée de l'Armée are among the major museums on the Left Bank. Their collections include Impressionist paintings, sculpture, world arts, and military history.
Yes. Major museums remain open in November, and several temporary exhibitions are scheduled during this time. It is recommended that you make reservations for the most popular exhibitions and check the specific closing days for each museum.
The Beaugrenelle neighborhood, in the 15th arrondissement, is within easy reach of the Eiffel Tower, the Musée du Quai Branly, and several museums on the Left Bank. The Esteem Tour Eiffel offers, among other amenities, double rooms with private terraces and concierge service.
The banks of the Seine, the Bir-Hakeim Bridge, Île aux Cygnes, and the Champ-de-Mars are great places to explore Paris on foot. The streets of the Beaugrenelle neighborhood and Rue du Commerce are also perfect for a stroll between cultural visits.
