Less crowded than the Louvre, this century-old museum in Paris is free all year round and houses one of the capital’s most beautiful secret gardens – don’t miss this nugget!

Do you know the Musée Carnavalet - Histoire de Paris? At 145 years old, it's the oldest museum in Paris. And the best? Most of its collections are accessible free of charge!

Bénédicte Vicent • August 8, 2025

Jean-Baptiste Gurliat / Ville de Paris Free museum all year long Paris

In summer, we often tend to leave museums behind in favor of beaches, lakes and squares. But it would still be a shame to miss out on some museums. Yes, some of them, like the Louvre, can get very crowded very quickly, and the queues can seem interminable. But others, less crowded, are just as exciting to visit. Such is the case of the Carnavalet museum, where a large part of the space is open to the public all year round.

A magnificent museum in Paris, free all year round

Musée gratuit toute l'année Paris — @ParisMarais Free museum all year round Paris

This 145-year-old museum takes you on a journey through time. Formerly a private mansion once home to wealthy families, in 1880 it became a museum retracing the history of Paris, from prehistory to the present day. Through a rich and varied collection, you’ll discover paintings, sculptures and personal objects belonging to great historical figures such as Napoleon and Marie-Antoinette. A fascinating immersion in the past, which continues to grow thanks to donations, acquisitions and bequests. In all, over 600,000 works of art and historical objects are preserved and exhibited within these walls.

Located in the heart of the Marais district, the museum is housed in two superb private mansions: the Hôtel Carnavalet and theHôtel Le Peletier de Saint-Fargeau. Both are masterpieces of classical and Renaissance architecture. With its detailed facades, adorned with sculptures and bas-reliefs, the museum is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful in Paris. But its greatest asset is its hidden French gardens. In this 1,337 sq. m. green setting, visitors can stroll along the paths after the tour. With its sculptures and trimmed box hedges, the place exudes serenity. You’d almost forget you were in the heart of Paris, such is the calm and beauty of the setting in contrast to the hustle and bustle of the city.

But the best part? You can visit part of the museum for free. In fact, the permanent exhibition, which traces the history of Paris , is free all year round, and no reservations are required. So, even in summer, you can take your time to explore the museum’s 3,800 works and settings, from prehistory to the present day, before lounging in its garden… How’s that for a good plan?

📍 Location: 23 Rue de Sévigné, 75003 Paris
🕙Opening hours : Tuesday to Sunday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. – last admission to the Museum at 5:15 p.m. (permanent collection and temporary exhibition)
🚫 Closed: January¹, May¹ and December 25

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