Good ideas: free museums and monuments in Paris

Entry is free every day of the week to the permanent collections of 11 Paris municipal museums such as the musée de la Vie romantique (reopening on 14 February 2026), Musée Carnavalet - Histoire de Paris, Petit Palais and the Musée d'Art moderne de la Ville de Paris.
N.B. Entry is free to the permanent collections of the Maison de Balzac except when there is a temporary exhibition whereas the permanent collections of the Bourdelle, Cognacq-Jay and Zadkine museums are partially visible during temporary exhibitions.

Several museums are free for visitors on the 1st Sunday of each month, like the Musée national de l'Orangerie, Musée national Picasso - Paris and the Musée des Arts et Métiers. This initiative, which has become an unmissable cultural fixture in Paris, is an opportunity for everyone to discover the rich artistic and cultural heritage of the various museums. It can be very busy, so for the best experience, it is advisable to arrive as soon as the museums open or to visit in the afternoon. Some museums, such as the Musée d'Orsay and the Musée de l'Orangerie, now require advance online booking, even for free admission. Be sure to check this information on their official websites before your visit.
Please note that Sèvres - Cité de la Céramique (Sèvres - Manufacture et musées nationaux) is currently closed for renovation work, the Centre Pompidou is closed for work until 2030. At the Musée national des châteaux de Malmaison et Bois-Préau only the Château de Malmaison is free on the 1st Sunday of the month. The Musée National Gustave Moreau is also free on the 1st Sunday of the month, except during temporary exhibitions.

Several monuments and chateaux are free on the 1st Sunday of the month from 1 November to 31 March including the Panthéon, Sainte-Chapelle, Chateau de Vincennes and the towers of Notre-Dame de Paris.
For the Palace of Versailles, it is necessary to book a time slot, whilst for the Trianon de Versailles admission is free without prior booking on the 1st Sunday of the month from November to March inclusive. There is no free admission at the Conciergerie and at the Château de Maisons on the 1st Sunday of the month of December.

Some places offer free evening admission once a month. The Louvre is free on the first Friday of the month after 6pm, except in July and August. The Bourse de Commerce - Collection Pinault is free on the first Saturday of every month from 5pm, but prior booking is required.

• More info about late-night openings at museums in Paris

Admission to museums and monuments is free for EU citizens under 26. This measure, which has been in place since 2009, aims to facilitate access to the culture and historical heritage of Greater Paris.
To benefit from free admission, visitors must present valid proof of eligibility. Visitors can explore the collections of the Musée du Louvre and iconic monuments such as the Arc de Triomphe, la Conciergerie and Sainte-Chapelle.
Closed for work: the Centre Pompidou (until 2030) and Sèvres - Cité de la Céramique (Sèvres - Manufacture et musées nationaux). Free admission to the Musée des Arts Décoratifs applies to permanent collections and temporary exhibitions other than those in the Nef, while free admission to the Musée National Gustave Moreau applies outside of temporary exhibition periods.

Many museums and monuments also offer free admission to active primary and secondary school teachers in the French National Education System. Check with the cultural sites before you go.