It’s possible to visit a Parisian museum without a penny in your pocket! For a start, the city is full of museums that are simply free to enter, and then there are the special occasions to keep an eye out for! These include free night-time events, the Journées du Patrimoine (Heritage Days) and the first Sunday of the month! Yes, once a month (and all year round), you can enjoy free admission to a number of Paris museums! From must-see institutions to lesser-known venues, we’re sharing our favorites with you!
Free museums on the 1st Sunday of the month in Paris: our favorites!
The Cinémathèque française
This is the address of choice for cinephiles! Nestled on the edge of the Parc de Bercy, the Cinémathèque française regularly programs retrospectives, previews and special screenings in one of its projection rooms! The building, designed by Frank O. Ghery, is also home to the Musée Méliès, dedicated to the 7th art and offering a veritable journey through its history.
📍 Cinémathèque française
51 rue de Bercy, 75012 Paris
Musée d’Orsay
The Musée d’Orsay is also one of the museums open to the public free of charge (remember to book a visit in advance). Sculptures, graphic arts and pastels, photographs, decorative arts, paintings… The Musée d’Orsay boasts an infinite number of works and masterpieces. The museum’s superb clocks are a reminder of the railway station’s past.
📍 Musée d’Orsay
Esplanade Valéry Giscard d’Estaing, 75007 Paris
Free museums on the 1st Sunday of the month in Paris: The Gustave Moreau Museum
At the end of his life, Gustave Moreau decided to create a museum dedicated to his work. Since 1903, culture buffs have had the opportunity to push open the doors of this eponymous museum. Hundreds of paintings, watercolors and over 4,000 drawings by Gustave Moreau can be admired on 4 levels. Admission is free every 1st Sunday of the month.
📍 Musée Gustave Moreau
14, rue de La Rochefoucauld, 75009 Paris
The National Museum of the History of Immigration
On the edge of the Bois de Vincennes stands the imposing Art Deco building of the Palais de la Porte Dorée, its façade adorned with a bas-relief by Alfred Janniot. In addition to its architectural richness, this building is also home to the Musée national de l’histoire de l’immigration. Dedicated to immigration, the museum explores its history and its many underlying themes (economy, culture, geography, racism, colonization, art, daily life…) and is keen to highlight its importance in French history.
📍 National Museum of the History of Immigration
Palais de la Porte Dorée
293 avenue Daumesnil, 75012 Paris
The Quai Branly Museum
Inaugurated on June 20, 2006, the Musée du Quai Branly – Jacques Chirac highlights the arts and civilizations of Africa, Asia, Oceania and the Americas, at the crossroads of multiple cultural, religious and historical influences. And good news: every first Sunday of the month, access to the permanent collections and temporary exhibitions of the Musée du Quai Branly is free!
📍 Musée du Quai Branly – Jacques Chirac
37 Quai Branly, 75007 Paris
Free museums on the 1st Sunday of the month in Paris: Centre Pompidou
At the Centre Pompidou,modern art and contemporary creation are open to all! Fascinating exhibitions, shows and debates take place in a legendary architectural setting. Yes, the Centre Pompidou boasts Europe’s 1st largest collection of modern and contemporary art. So why not enjoy free access?
📍 Center Pompidou
Place Georges Pompidou, 75004 Paris
Musée des Arts et Métiers
The Musée des Arts et Métiers is located in the heart of Paris. Communication, construction, scientific instruments, energy, mechanics, transport, materials… No fewer than seven different themes are on offer! Every 1st Sunday of the month, set off free in the footsteps of the inventors and adventurers of the history of technology. And pssst, every Friday, the museum invites you to visit its permanent collection at night, free of charge.
📍 Musée des Arts et Métiers
60 Rue Réaumur, 75003 Paris
The Guimet Museum
It’s one of the capital’s most fascinating museums: the Musée Guimet! At the heart of this museum in Paris’s 16th arrondissement, Asian art takes center stage. From Korea to China, Japan to Central Asia… a veritable cultural voyage awaits you at the Mnaag. And every first Sunday of the month, access to the Musée Guimet’s permanent and temporary collections is free!
📍 Musée Guimet
6 place d’Iéna, 75116 Paris
Cité de l’architecture et du patrimoine
This museum brings together 1,000 years of history in 8,000 m² of space, inviting visitors to explore France’s most remarkable buildings, from past to present day! Thanks to its three galleries, it approaches architectural heritage from many angles, and regularly dedicates exhibitions to subjects as varied as stadiums and department stores (which are also open free of charge every first Sunday of the month)!
📍 Cité de l’architecture et du patrimoine
1 Place du Trocadéro et du 11 Novembre, 75116 Paris
The Museum of Hunting and Nature
Renovated in 2007, the Musée de la Chasse et de la Nature in Paris has been expanded by one floor. Here, in the heart of the 17th-century Guénégaud and 18th-century Mongelas townhouses, we discover works by famous painters such as Desportes, Chardin, Oudry and Vernet. In addition to numerous objets d’art, hunting weapons and naturalized animals from Africa, America and Asia are on display. And pssst: every 1st Sunday of the month, admission to the Musée de la Chasse et de la Nature is free! See you in the Marais!
📍 Musée de la Chasse et de la Nature
62 rue des Archives – 75003 Paris