21/05/2026
This Saturday, May 23, the French capital will celebrate its famous Nuit des Musées, when hundreds of museums and cultural institutions across Paris welcome visitors free of charge from early evening until midnight.
Now celebrating its 22nd year, the event has become one of the season’s most anticipated cultural nights. Major landmarks such as Louvre Museum, Musée d’Orsay, Musée Rodin, Musée de Montmartre, and Musée Marmottan Monet will take part alongside many smaller venues. Most museums allow direct entry without advance booking, although some popular sites may ask visitors to reserve a free time slot online before arrival.
This year’s program includes far more than traditional gallery visits. At the Musée d’Art Moderne de Paris, guests can enjoy a contemporary dance performance inspired by the works of Henri Matisse. Meanwhile, Musée Rodin will transform its gardens into an open-air party with music and live DJs late into the night. The Musée du quai Branly – Jacques Chirac plans to host concerts, storytelling activities, and special exhibitions on its rooftop spaces. Families visiting the Muséum national d’Histoire naturelle can access the Grande Galerie de l’Évolution free of charge throughout the evening, while the Musée de la Préfecture de Police is preparing interactive mystery games designed for children and parents alike.
Festivities generally begin around 6 p.m. and continue until midnight. Public transportation, including the Paris metro and city buses, will operate throughout the evening, making it easy for visitors to travel from one museum to another and experience several locations in a single night.
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