The Petit Palais — formally the Musée des Beaux-Arts de la Ville de Paris — is free to enter and almost always less crowded than it should be. The building itself is Beaux-Arts at its most considered: the garden courtyard is one of the quietest outdoor spaces in the centre of Paris, accessible without a ticket. The collection ranges from antiquity to early twentieth century, with rooms of genuine depth. The café inside the courtyard, surrounded by arched galleries and the garden's seasonal light, is worth the visit independently.
8th arrondissement, Paris, France