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How the First Sunday Free Museum in Paris Program Works
Every first Sunday of the month, the French government and Paris open many of the city’s top museums at no cost to visitors. Free museums in Paris on the first Sunday is a great opportunity to explore world-class art, history, and culture without worrying about entry fees. Some locations like Versailles and Rodin limit free access to low season (November–March), so always check before you go.
Top Museums You Can Visit for Free
Central Paris: Big Classics & Decorative Arts
Louvre Museum
The Louvre Museum, a former royal palace in the 1st arrondissement, is the world’s largest art museum and a historic monument. Its vast collection spans ancient civilizations, Renaissance masterpieces, and global art history. Walking its halls is like a journey through human creativity and power across centuries.
- Don’t miss: The Mona Lisa and Napoleon III’s lavish apartments.
- Metro: Palais Royal – Musée du Louvre (L1, L7)
Musée d’Orsay
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Housed in a grand Beaux-Arts railway station in Paris’s 7th arrondissement, the Musée d’Orsay focuses on French art from 1848 to 1914. It holds the world’s largest Impressionist and post-Impressionist collection, featuring Monet, Van Gogh, and Renoir. The building itself, with its iconic clock faces, is a masterpiece of adaptive architecture.
- Don’t miss: Van Gogh’s self-portraits and Monet’s “Saint-Lazare Station”.
- Metro: Solférino (L12), RER C Musée d’Orsay
Musée de l’Orangerie
Set in the Tuileries Gardens in the 1st arrondissement, Musée de l’Orangerie is an intimate museum is famous for Monet’s Water Lilies murals and a strong collection of early 20th-century art, including works by Cézanne and Picasso. The museum’s layout invites quiet contemplation amidst natural light.
- Don’t miss: Sitting quietly with Monet’s Water Lilies.
- Metro: Concorde (L1, L8, L12)
Musée des Arts Décoratifs
Located in the Louvre’s western wing, Musée des Arts Décoratifs showcases decorative arts and design from the Middle Ages to today, including furniture, jewelry, ceramics, and fashion. The collection highlights artistic craftsmanship and styles in daily life.
- Don’t miss: The historic and modern furniture displays.
- Metro: Palais Royal – Musée du Louvre (L1, L7)
Paris museums truly hold some of the world’s greatest art collections—explore more inspiring museums globally in our post 30 Inspiring Museums To Visit in The World.
The Marais & Right Bank: History & Modern Art
Musée Picasso
In a historic 17th-century mansion in the Marais district, Musée Picasso offers an extensive view of Picasso’s inventive career through paintings, ceramics, and sculpture. The setting itself reflects Paris’s vibrant art history and aristocratic past.
- Don’t miss: Picasso’s “Portrait of Dora Maar” and his ceramics.
- Metro: Saint-Sébastien – Froissart (L8)
Musée Carnavalet
Located in the Marais, Musée Carnavalet is Paris’s dedicated history museum, telling the city’s story with artifacts, art, and recreated period rooms. From medieval times to the Revolution and beyond, it immerses visitors in Parisian life’s evolution.
- Don’t miss: The galleries on the French Revolution.
- Metro: Chemin Vert (L8)
Centre Pompidou
The Centre Pompidou in the 4th arrondissement is known for its radical inside-out architecture and vast collections of modern and contemporary art. It’s a hub for cutting-edge exhibitions and offers sweeping city views from its rooftop.
- Don’t miss: The rooftop views and the Stravinsky Fountain.
- Metro: Rambuteau (L11), Hôtel de Ville (L1, L11)
Musée Cluny
Nestled in the Latin Quarter, Musée Cluny (National Museum of the Middle Ages) combines a medieval mansion with Roman baths and houses significant artifacts like the Lady and the Unicorn tapestries. It offers visitors a rare glimpse into the Middle Ages in Paris.
- Don’t miss: The complete series of Lady and the Unicorn tapestries.
- Metro: Cluny – La Sorbonne (L10), Saint-Michel Notre-Dame (RER B)
Musée Rodin
Set within a 18th-century mansion in the 7th arrondissement, the Musée Rodin showcases the sculptor’s evocative creations, including “The Thinker.” Its tranquil garden setting enhances the experience of Rodin’s masterpieces.
- Don’t miss: “The Thinker” and other outdoor garden sculptures.
- Metro: Varenne (L13)
Petit Palais
Near the Champs-Élysées in the 8th arrondissement, the Petit Palais, this elegant Beaux-Arts building houses the City of Paris Museum of Fine Arts, with fine paintings, sculptures, and decorative arts from antiquity to early 1900s.
- Don’t miss: The decorative arts gallery and the light-filled courtyard.
- Metro: Champs-Élysées – Clemenceau (L1, L13)
If you want to combine your museum visits with sights around the city, check out The Ultimate Paris Bus Tour for a convenient sightseeing options
Modern & Global Art
Musée d’Art Moderne de la Ville de Paris
The Musée d’Art Moderne de la Ville de Paris is located near the Seine in the 16th arrondissement, this museum highlights 20th-century modern and contemporary art, featuring works by Matisse and Braque. Its stylish setting complements the bold colors and innovative compositions inside.
- Don’t miss: Delaunay’s vivid murals.
- Metro: Iéna, Alma-Marceau (L9)
Musée du Quai Branly – Jacques Chirac
Close to the Eiffel Tower in the 7th arrondissement, the museum celebrates indigenous art and culture from Africa, Asia, Oceania, and the Americas. Its striking architecture and lush gardens provide a unique backdrop.
- Don’t miss: The ceremonial African masks and Pacific artifacts.
- Metro: Bir-Hakeim (L6), Alma-Marceau (L9)
Beyond the Centre: Palaces & Retreats
Palace of Versailles
Located just outside Paris, the Palace of Versailles was the seat of French royal power from the late 17th century and a symbol of absolutism. Famous for its Hall of Mirrors and sprawling gardens, it’s a masterpiece of French Baroque architecture and politics.
- Don’t miss: The Hall of Mirrors and the beautifully maintained gardens.
- RER C: Versailles Château Rive Gauche
For a photo essay and personal impressions of Versailles, see
Wordless Wednesday – A Visit to Versailles.
Château de Fontainebleau
Southwest of Paris, Château de Fontainebleau is a historic palace that spans centuries, from medieval times through the Renaissance and Napoleonic eras. Its richly decorated interiors and vast parklands reflect its role as a favored residence of French monarchs and emperors.
- Don’t miss: Napoleon’s throne room and the Renaissance galleries.
- Train: Gare de Lyon to Fontainebleau-Avon, bus 1
Château de Malmaison
Near Paris, Château de Malmaison was the home of Napoleon and Josephine Bonaparte and is noted for its intimate setting and well-preserved interiors. The château’s elegant gardens and personal rooms provide insight into the couple’s private life.
- Don’t miss: Josephine’s greenhouse and the ballroom.
- RER A + Bus 259
Tips for Planning Your Free Museum Sunday Visit
- Check opening hours and reservation rules—things change and the best spots fill up quickly.
- Get there early to beat the crowds, especially for big hitters like the Louvre or Orsay.
- Cluster museums by neighborhood for easy walking and less time spent commuting.
- Wear comfy shoes and pace yourself—a couple of museums and a coffee stop beats rushing all day.
Above all, make the most of this Paris tradition—these free days turn every traveler into an art lover. If you only pick one museum, go with the Louvre for sheer scale and history, but d’Orsay is an unbeatable favorite if you want Impressionist masterpieces in a more manageable setting.
For more ideas on exploring the City of Light beyond museums, see our guide on
10+ Fun Things to do in Paris
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