The National Museum of Asian Arts – Guimet, founded in 1889 by industrialist Émile Guimet, resides in a magnificent 19th‑century building at Place d’Iéna, just a stone’s throw from the Eiffel Tower. Its neoclassical façade conceals over 5,500 m² of galleries housing more than 60,000 pieces, from Afghanistan to Japan, including India, China, Korea and.
The museum’s story is closely tied to Guimet’s ambition: first established in Lyon as a Museum of Religions, his collection moved to Paris in 1889. The building, designed by Charles Terrier, was fully restored between 1994 and 2001 by Henri and Bruno Gaudin. Today, it remains a listed historical monument that perfectly blends classical architecture with contemporary flair.

Visitors are greeted by the grand Khmer courtyard: towering Buddha statues, the famous head of Jayavarman VII, and colossal reproductions of Angkor temple doors and lintels, evoking the Khmer Empire (9th–13th centuries). The route continues to Central Asia and Afghanistan (Gandhara, Hadda), showcasing exquisite Greco-Buddhist sculptures and rare.

Upper floors feature Chinese art – from Neolithic ceramics to Song, Ming and Qing bronzes and porcelains – followed by Indian (Gupta sculptures, scroll paintings), Korean (bronzes, theater masks), and Japanese works (netsuke, ukiyo‑e prints like Hokusai’s famed “Wave”).

Activities include self‑guided or guided tours, temporary exhibitions (Haikus d’argent, Tang dynasty show), family workshops (from age 6), thematic tours (“Magical Journey to the Land of Dragons…”), and events. The museum also offers an auditorium, a museum shop, a specialized bookstore, and the Han Rooftop Korean restaurant serving refreshments and meals from 10 am.

The atmosphere combines solemn Asian grandeur with Parisian modernity, attracting art lovers, families, students, tourists, and spiritual seekers. Younger audiences are catered to with digital experiences.

Highlight: access to the Hôtel d’Heidelbach (19 avenue d’Iéna) with its 450 m² Japanese garden and traditional tea pavilion – a hidden urban oasis. Plus, the Afghanistan‑Pakistan collection originates from DAFA excavations in the early .

Practical info: open daily except Tuesday, 10 am–6 pm; ticket offices close at 5 :15 pm, last entry at 5 :30 pm; closed 1 Jan, 1 May, 25 Dec. Metro Iéna (line 9); buses 63/82/32/22/30; Vélib’ bike stations available; disabled parking on avenue d’Iéna.