In Paris, some museums are free of charge. What’s more, the City of Light offers art and culture enthusiasts the chance to attend free Nocturnes. Such is the case of the Bourse de Commerce and its free Nocturne every first Saturday of the month. And regular visitors know: every 1st Sunday of the month, certain museums in Paris are free! Which are the must-haves? The editors of Paris Secret have their favorites. Follow our guide…
Free museums in Paris on the 1st Sunday of the month: our favourites!
The Musée d’Orsay
On the first Sunday of the month, the Musée d’Orsay is open free of charge. Graphic arts and pastels, architecture, photographs, decorative arts, paintings, sculptures… The Musée d’Orsay is home to an infinite number of works and masterpieces. You’ll also enjoy admiring its superb clocks, a reminder of this former station’s railway past. But don’t forget to reserve a time slot before your visit – booking is compulsory!
📍 Musée d’Orsay, Esplanade Valéry Giscard d’Estaing, 75007
Free museums in Paris on the 1st Sunday of the month: 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. On 4 levels: hundreds of paintings and watercolors and over 4,000 drawings by Gustave Moreau. Here, free admission is available every 1st Sunday of the month.
📍 Musée Gustave Moreau, 14, rue de La Rochefoucauld, 75009 Paris
The Orangery Museum
Among the free museums to visit on the first Sunday of the month in Paris is, of course, the Musée de l’Orangerie. (Reservations are essential.) On the edge of the Jardin des Tuileries, one of the most beautiful museums in Paris is waiting to be explored. Impressionist paintings and masterpieces by Monet, Picasso and Modigliani are on display.
📍Musée de l’Orangerie, Jardin des Tuileries, 75001 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. Indian cinema is currently being honored at the Musée du Quai Branly, with the Bollywood Superstars exhibition. What’s more, on November 17, Parisians are invited to a a FREE Bollywood evening! And good news: every first Sunday of the month, admission to the Musée du Quai Branly’s permanent collections and temporary exhibitions is free!
📍Musée du Quai Branly – Jacques Chirac, 37 Quai Jacques Chirac, 75007 Paris
Free museums in Paris on the 1st Sunday of the month: Center Pompidou
At the Centre Pompidou, modern art and the creations of our time are on view! Fascinating exhibitions, shows and debates take place in a legendary architectural setting. Yes, the Centre Pompidou has Europe’s 1st largest collection of modern and contemporary art. So why not access it for free? On the first Sunday of every month, access to the permanent collection and the children’s gallery is free for all!
📍Center Pompidou, Place Georges-Pompidou, 75004 Paris
Musée des Arts et Métiers
Right in the heart of Paris lies the fascinating Musée des Arts et Métiers. Scientific instruments, construction, materials, communication, mechanics, energy, transport… In all, there are seven different themes to choose from. Every 1st Sunday of the month, follow in the footsteps of inventors and adventurers from the history of technology, free of charge. And pssst: Every Friday, the Musée des Arts et Métiers invites you to visit its permanent collection, 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 6th arrondissement, Asian arts take center stage. From Korea to China, Japan to Central Asia… a true cultural journey awaits you at Mnaag. And every first Sunday of the month, access to the Musée Guimet’s permanent and temporary collections is free!
📍Musée national des arts asiatiques – Guimet, 6 place d’Iéna, 75 116 Paris
The Cluny Museum
In May 2022, the medieval world was brought back to life in Paris with the reopening of the Musée de Cluny. After a lengthy renovation, the Musée National du Moyen-Âge was unveiled as a brand new building. In all, 24,000 works and over 1,000 years of artistic expression are on display. Every first Sunday of the month, you can enjoy free access to the museum and its collections.
📍Musée de Cluny, 28 rue Du Sommerard, 75005 Paris
The Museum of Hunting and Nature
Freshly renovated, the Musée de la Chasse et de la Nature in Paris is now offering a one-storey extension to its layout. Here, in the heart of the 17th-century Guénégaud and 18th-century Mongelas townhouses, you’ll 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
Read also:
Culture: what are the FREE Nocturnes in Paris?
A free Nocturne every first Saturday of the month at the Bourse de Commerce in Paris!