Musée du Quai Branly – Jacques Chirac
Quick answer
Musée du Quai Branly – Jacques Chirac in Paris, France — opened in 2006 at the initiative of President Jacques Chirac, the Quai Branly brought together the ethnographic collections of the former Musée de l'Homme and Musée des Arts d'Afrique et d'Océanie. Open Tuesday to Sunday: 10:30 AM – 7:00 PM (Thursday until 10:00 PM); closed Mondays. Admission: €14 standard admission. Allow 3–4 hours and book a timed ticket ahead.
Visitor information last reviewed 30 June 2026. Check the official museum site for current details.
Musée du Quai Branly – Jacques Chirac at a glance: hours, tickets and time needed
| Opening hours | Tuesday to Sunday: 10:30 AM – 7:00 PM (Thursday until 10:00 PM) |
|---|---|
| Closed | Mondays |
| Admission | €14 standard admission |
| Booking | Book a timed ticket in advance — peak slots sell out |
| Time needed | 3–4 hours |
| Best time to visit | Tuesday or Wednesday at 10:30 AM opening — before Eiffel Tower crowds spill over. |
| Getting there | Metro: Alma-Marceau (Line 9) or Bir-Hakeim (Line 6) — 5-minute walk |
| Address | 37 Quai Jacques Chirac, 75007 Paris, France |
| Official website | quaibranly.fr |
Checked 2026-06-30 against the official website. Prices and hours change — confirm before you travel.
What is Musée du Quai Branly – Jacques Chirac known for?
The Musée du Quai Branly — Jacques Chirac opened in 2006 on the Left Bank of the Seine, near the Eiffel Tower. Designed by Jean Nouvel, its building features a living green wall by Patrick Blanc and exhibition spaces suspended above a glass-enclosed base.
The museum holds more than 370,000 objects from the indigenous arts and civilisations of Africa, Asia, Oceania, and the Americas. Displays emphasise cultural context and artistic achievement rather than colonial taxonomy.
Named for its quayside location and former president Jacques Chirac, who championed its creation, the museum transformed how non-Western art is presented in France. The collection draws on the former Musée de l'Homme and Musée National des Arts d'Afrique et d'Océanie.
The museum's riverside garden and the Eiffel Tower backdrop make it one of the most photogenic museum settings in Paris.
Best for: World Culture Enthusiasts · Art Lovers · Families
How long do you need at Musée du Quai Branly – Jacques Chirac?
Allow 3–4 hours. A focused route through 5 must-see highlights at Musée du Quai Branly – Jacques Chirac without museum fatigue. Follow the stops in order:
- 1
Fang Reliquary Guardian Figure
📍 Africa Gallery
A powerful byeri reliquary figure with a elongated body and ovoid head, among the most celebrated African sculptures in any Western museum.
- 2
Maori Meeting House
📍 Oceania Gallery
A full-scale carved meeting house (wharenui) from New Zealand, reconstructed within the museum.
- 3
Aztec Feather Shield
📍 Americas Gallery
A rare surviving feather mosaic shield from central Mexico, one of the most extraordinary pre-Columbian objects in the collection.
- 4
Navajo Sand Painting Textile
📍 Americas Gallery
A ceremonial textile based on Navajo sand painting designs, representing the museum's strong Native American holdings.
- 5
Asmat Bis Pole
📍 Oceania Gallery
A monumental carved bis pole from the Asmat people of New Guinea, reaching several metres in height.
What are the must-see works at Musée du Quai Branly – Jacques Chirac?
5 highlights that define the collection: Fang Reliquary Guardian Figure, Maori Meeting House, Aztec Feather Shield and more.
Fang Reliquary Guardian Figure
Fang peoples · Gabon · 19th century
📍 Africa Gallery
A powerful byeri reliquary figure with a elongated body and ovoid head, among the most celebrated African sculptures in any Western museum.
Maori Meeting House
Maori carvers · 19th century
📍 Oceania Gallery
A full-scale carved meeting house (wharenui) from New Zealand, reconstructed within the museum.
Aztec Feather Shield
Aztec craftsmen · 16th century
📍 Americas Gallery
A rare surviving feather mosaic shield from central Mexico, one of the most extraordinary pre-Columbian objects in the collection.
Navajo Sand Painting Textile
Navajo artists · 19th century
📍 Americas Gallery
A ceremonial textile based on Navajo sand painting designs, representing the museum's strong Native American holdings.
Asmat Bis Pole
Asmat carvers · Papua · 20th century
📍 Oceania Gallery
A monumental carved bis pole from the Asmat people of New Guinea, reaching several metres in height.
Collections and highlights
- • African sculpture and masks
- • Oceanic art — Polynesia, Melanesia, Australia
- • Native American and pre-Columbian art
- • Asian tribal and court arts
- • Textiles and body adornment
- • Musical instruments of indigenous peoples
- • Jean Nouvel building and living wall
- • Temporary exhibitions on world cultures
Tips for visiting Musée du Quai Branly – Jacques Chirac
- 1.
Best time to visit
Tuesday or Wednesday at 10:30 AM opening — before Eiffel Tower crowds spill over.
- 2.
Crowds & busy periods
Moderate; popular with families and school groups.
- 3.
Tickets & booking
Around €12 standard admission; free first Sunday of the month.
- 4.
Food & cafés nearby
Museum restaurant Les Ombres with Eiffel Tower views; cafés on Rue Cler nearby.
- 5.
Accessibility
Fully accessible with ramps and lifts throughout Nouvel's design.
How do you get to Musée du Quai Branly – Jacques Chirac?
- metro Alma-Marceau (Line 9) or Bir-Hakeim (Line 6) — 5-minute walk
- walk On Quai Branly facing the Eiffel Tower across the Seine
- bus Bus 63 and 72 along the Left Bank quays
Address: 37 Quai Jacques Chirac, 75007 Paris, France
Musée du Quai Branly – Jacques Chirac: frequently asked questions
Is the garden free to visit?
Yes, the surrounding garden and vertical wall are free to enjoy.
Is it close to the Eiffel Tower?
Yes, the museum is a five-minute walk from the Eiffel Tower.
How long should I spend at Musée du Quai Branly – Jacques Chirac?
Plan 3–4 hours for the highlights of Musée du Quai Branly – Jacques Chirac. Our 5-stop route — Fang Reliquary Guardian Figure, Maori Meeting House, Aztec Feather Shield and more — is designed to fit that time. Add extra time for temporary exhibitions, the shop and the café.
What is Musée du Quai Branly – Jacques Chirac best known for?
Opened in 2006 at the initiative of President Jacques Chirac, the Quai Branly brought together the ethnographic collections of the former Musée de l'Homme and Musée des Arts d'Afrique et d'Océanie. Key highlights include Patrick Blanc vertical garden, Oceania mask collection, Pre-Columbian gold gallery.
How do I get tickets for Musée du Quai Branly – Jacques Chirac?
Admission: €14 standard admission. Book a timed-entry ticket on the official website before you go — popular slots sell out in peak season. Official site: https://www.quaibranly.fr/en/
Is this the same as the Musée de l'Homme?
No — but Quai Branly absorbed many objects from the former Musée de l'Homme and the Musée National des Arts d'Afrique et d'Océanie.
Are there ethical concerns about the collection?
The museum has faced repatriation requests, particularly from African nations. It has begun discussions about restitution of certain objects.
Can I see the Eiffel Tower from the museum?
Yes — the museum garden and the Les Ombres restaurant terrace offer direct views of the Eiffel Tower across the Seine.
Is Musée du Quai Branly – Jacques Chirac open on Mondays?
No — Musée du Quai Branly – Jacques Chirac is closed every Monday. It is open Tuesday to Sunday: 10:30 AM – 7:00 PM (Thursday until 10:00 PM). Plan a different museum for that day, and check the official website for holiday changes.
What are Musée du Quai Branly – Jacques Chirac's opening hours?
Musée du Quai Branly – Jacques Chirac is open Tuesday to Sunday: 10:30 AM – 7:00 PM (Thursday until 10:00 PM), and closed Mondays. Hours can change for holidays and events, so check the official website before you go.
