There are so many cultural and architectural gems to explore in Paris… But in the capital, art and culture are also available for free to art lovers and the curious. This is evidenced by the myriad of free exhibitions and the many fascinating activities, accessible at no cost. But exactly which Parisian museums are free? Whether they offer free admission to the entire museum year-round or provide free access to their permanent collections, discover which museums and monuments these are.
The Louvre
The Louvre Museum, one of the most famous in the world, opens its doors for free on the first Sunday of every month. It’s the perfect opportunityto admire the Mona Lisa —or that masterpiece overshadowed by da Vinci’s masterpiece —or the Egyptian antiquities without paying. Be prepared for crowds, though… You certainly aren’t the only ones who’ve thought of this! To visit on a day other than the first Sunday of the month and enjoy priority access to the museum with a guided tour, click here.
The Quai Branly Museum – Jacques Chirac
The Musée du Quai Branly – Jacques Chirac offers an immersive experience in the arts and civilizations of Africa, Asia, Oceania, and the Americas. Free on the first Sunday of the month, it’s a great way to travel without leaving Paris and without spending a dime! To visit the museum on days other than the first Sunday of the month, tickets are available here.
The Rodin Museum
It’s impossible to talk about free museums in Paris without mentioning the Rodin Museum, one of the most beautiful in the capital. Free on the first Sunday of the month, it invites you to discover the iconic works of the famous sculptor, including The Thinker and The Kiss. Housed in an elegant mansion with an absolutely magnificent sculpture garden , it’s a visit that’s as artistic as it is idyllic. Except on the first Sunday of the month, you can enjoy skip-the-line access.
The Jacquemart-André Museum
Less well-known but just as fascinating, the Jacquemart-André Museum is a true hidden gem in the 8th arrondissement. Housed in a sumptuous mansion, it immerses visitors in the refined world of a couple of passionate collectors. While the museum isn’t free year-round, it occasionally offers free admission during special events like Heritage Days. A golden opportunity to explore this exceptional venue for free, featuring private apartments, richly decorated salons, and major works of the Italian Renaissance. For skip-the-line access, click here.
The Bourse de Commerce – Pinault Collection
The Bourse de Commerce – Pinault Collection, one of the most impressive contemporary art museums in Paris, hides one of the best-kept secrets. Housed in a spectacular circular building in the heart of Les Halles, this venue blends historic architecture with ultra-contemporary design by Tadao Ando. When it comes to free admission, there’s a real trick to know: with the Super Cercle card (free for 18–26-year-olds), you can access the museum for free every day starting at 4 p.m. and even enjoy exclusive events, workshops, and openings all year round.
The Petit Palais
The Petit Palais – Musée des Beaux-Arts de la Ville de Paris was established for the 1900 World’s Fair, alongside the Grand Palais and the Pont Alexandre III. Designed by architect Charles Girault, it is now considered an architectural gem of Paris’s cultural heritage. Aside from temporary exhibitions, the Petit Palais – Museum of Fine Arts of the City of Paris offers you a free artistic stroll, giving you time to admire the beauty of its permanent collections.
The Museum of Modern Art
Between the Champs-Élysées and the Eiffel Tower lies the Musée d’Art Moderne de Paris. An iconic example of 1930s architecture, it offers visitors a rich collection of over 15,000 works, making it one of the largest museums of modern and contemporary art in France. Picasso, Dufy, Modigliani, Derain, Picabia, Chagall… By visiting the permanent collections of the Museum of Modern Art for free, discover the greatest artistic movements from the 20th century to the present day.
The Musée d’Orsay
The Musée d’Orsay, a temple of Impressionism, is also free on the first Sunday of the month. There, you can discover masterpieces by Monet, Van Gogh, and Renoir in a unique setting: a former train station transformed into a museum.
The Carnavalet Museum
Want to dive into the history of the capital? The Carnavalet Museum, dedicated to the history of Paris, offers free admission to its permanent collections. Housed in stunning mansions in the Marais district, it traces the city’s evolution through the centuries. A must-see for gaining a fresh perspective on Paris.
The Marie Curie Museum
In the 5th arrondissement, at the heart of the “Curie Campus,” lies the Curie Museum. Just a stone’s throw from the Panthéon, where Pierre and Marie Curie have rested since 1995, discover this Parisian museum—so rich in science and history— for free. In Marie Curie’s former laboratory, the museum traces the various stages of this illustrious family’s journey, which includes five Nobel Prizes. Simply fascinating….
The Police Prefecture Museum
Saint-Tropez has its Gendarmerie Museum, and Paris has its Police Prefecture Museum. Located in the heart of the police headquarters for the 5th and 6th arrondissements, this enriching venue traces the history of the Parisian police from the 17th century to the present day. Major historical events, famous criminal cases, weapons, uniforms, and evidence. With free admission, treat yourself to a visit that’s out of the ordinary.
The Shoah Memorial
From Sunday to Friday, and on Thursday evenings, visit the Shoah Memorial for free . In this 5,000-square-meter space, silence reigns and emotion is inevitable. As Europe’s leading information center on the subject, the Shoah Memorial helps you understand the genocide of the Jews during World War II.
The Fragonard Perfume Museum
In a unique and educational way, the Fragonard Perfume Museum invites visitors to discover every stage of the production of this everyday luxury item: perfume. Raw materials, harvesting, extraction, distillation, formulation, industrialization, bottling, creation, the craft of the “nose”… The Fragonard Perfumery reveals all its secrets here, free of charge.
The National Museum of the Legion of Honor and Orders of Knighthood
Free for all, the Museum of the Legion of Honor and Orders of Knighthood presents collections that are unique in the world. On the forecourt of the Musée d’Orsay, within the Hôtel Salm, a place steeped in history reveals itself to art lovers. The history of the Museum of the Legion of Honor and Orders of Knighthood dates back to the year 1911. That year, a passionate collector and two members of the Grand Chancellery organized an exhibition dedicated to French decorations and the Legion of Honor at the Museum of Decorative Arts. The exhibition was so successful that it led to the creation of a museum within the Palace of the Legion of Honor.
The Arènes de Lutèces
They are listed as Historic Monuments and can be visited every day for free: the Arènes de Lutèce! In the 5th arrondissement, this Gallo-Roman amphitheater, a remnant of the time when Paris was called Lutetia, amazes onlookers. And for good reason: this site is the oldest remnant of human settlement on Parisian soil still visible in the capital!
The Museum of Romantic Life
In Paris, the splendid Musée de la Vie Romantique unveils its permanent collections for free. You can also discover fascinating temporary exhibitions (for a fee) and the charming Rose Bakery tea room. In the “New Athens” neighborhood, discover the former home of painter Ary Scheffer. With its courtyard, garden, and beautiful collections, the Musée de la Vie Romantique is undoubtedly a jewel of French cultural heritage.
The Victor Hugo House
“ “What makes the night within us may leave the stars within us” A French poet, playwright, writer, novelist, and romantic illustrator, Victor Hugo is the author of iconic novels such as Les Misérables, Notre-Dame de Paris, The Man Who Laughs, and The Legend of the Ages. Located on Place des Vosges in Paris, the home of the writer with the golden pen is a must-see. From the anteroom to the red salon, through the dining room, the Chinese salon, the small salon, the study, and the bedroom… treat yourself to a free stroll through Victor Hugo’s apartment, the very one he rented from 1832 to 1848.
The Cernuschi Museum
Excluding temporary exhibitions, the Cernuschi Museum offers free admission to its permanent collections. Opened in 1898, this museum is one of the oldest in the capital. From China to Japan, via Korea and Vietnam, a journey awaits you at the heart of the City of Paris Museum of Asian Arts.
Balzac’s House
Excluding temporary exhibitions, the Maison de Balzac is free to visit . On the hillsides of Passy, you’ll delight in discovering the novelist’s only surviving Parisian residence. It was in the study at this very location that Balzac edited the entire La Comédie Humaine. Discover a 650-square-meter garden with a view of the Eiffel Tower, a café, and a highly enriching permanent exhibition.
The Cognacq-Jay Museum
This museum features collections and works of art from the 18th century. Located in a stunning mansion, this museum—little known to the general public—is well worth a visit!