Free activities

"Rêveries de pierres" at the École des Arts Joailliers: an exhibition of a precious collection of stones

Are you in search of a truly original, poetic, and deeply mesmerizing exhibition? From November 6, 2025, to March 29, 2026, the École des Arts Joailliers, in partnership with the Muséum national d’histoire naturelle, invites you to explore "Dreams of Stones: Poetry and Minerals of Roger Caillois," right in the heart of Paris’s 9th arrondissement. This event offers a rare opportunity to marvel at 200 extraordinary minerals, accompanied by never-before-seen texts from one of the most distinctive thinkers of the 20th century. Additionally, entry is free with prior reservation (link below).

A charming Christmas village in Val d'Oise this weekend, featuring a free ice skating rink

The Montlignon Christmas Village will take over the Val-d'Oise from December 12 to 14, 2025, featuring a free ice skating rink at the Media Library park. Visitors can enjoy pony rides, meet Santa Claus, and sample festive holiday treats.

Switching Tracks at the Paris Refrigeration Museum

Discover L’Aiguillage, nestled within the Frigos of Paris: a vibrant blend of art, craftsmanship, and conviviality. A space rich in history and brimming with innovative artistic experiments.

Christmas has come to the Paris-Vincennes Racetrack... and it's magical!

This winter, experience an unexpected and magical Christmas at the Paris-Vincennes Racetrack: thrilling races, magical entertainment, and the holiday spirit like you've never experienced before in Paris!

Free castles and museums in Seine-et-Marne, this Sunday, December 7, 2025, the first Sunday of the month.

On the first Sunday of every month, many châteaux, museums, and monuments in the Île-de-France region open their doors to you free of charge. What about in Seine-et-Marne? Some are free on the first Sunday of every month throughout the year, while others are free on specific dates. Here's what's on offer this Sunday, December 7, 2025.

A big medieval festival in the Yvelines this Saturday: craft market, shows, and entertainment

If you're looking for a great idea for a free and original outing in the Yvelines, Mantes-la-Jolie will be transformed into a medieval city on Saturday, November 22, 2025. For the 575th Onion Fair, the city center will offer entertainment, shows, and period craftsmen.

The BHV 2025 Christmas window displays: the inauguration with Vincent Niclo and Vitaa in photos

Change of program on Rue de Rivoli. The Christmas window displays at BHV Marais are decked out in the theme "Rêverie de Noël" (Christmas Reverie) from November 18 to December 31, 2025, in the 4th arrondissement of Paris. The department store offers festive entertainment and gift ideas. Check out the pictures from the opening ceremony, which featured performances by Vincent Niclo and Vitaa.

The winter season at the Hippodrome Paris-Vincennes: Sundays when Paris trots with pleasure

When the cold weather sets in over Paris, Sundays come alive again at the Paris-Vincennes Racetrack. From November 16 to February 22, the winter season returns with a simple promise: to enjoy unique moments to the rhythm of the world's most spectacular trotting races, in a festive, gourmet and warm atmosphere. Download your free tickets!

Contes et Histoires 2025: take a trip around the world of storytelling at the Domaine de Saint-Cloud

Through the 2025 edition of Contes et Histoires, the Domaine de Saint-Cloud invites young and old alike to discover new cultures during the Christmas holidays! Here is the program of events awaiting you from December 22, 2025, to January 3, 2026.

Discover Printemps Haussmann's 2025 Christmas window displays, specially designed for New York and inaugurated by Diane Kruger.

Printemps Haussmann is celebrating Christmas 2025 with a New York theme. A transatlantic crossing led by a merry band of dogs can be seen on Boulevard Haussmann in the 9th arrondissement. Come and feast your eyes from November 6, 2025, to January 4, 2026.

"A Century of Conservation—From the Forbidden City to the Palace Museum": Photo Exhibition in Paris

Immerse yourself in Chinese culture with an exceptional exhibition at the China Cultural Center in Paris, from November 12, 2025, to January 20, 2026, except Sundays, public holidays, and Saturdays during school holidays. This cultural event is open to all, with free admission and no reservation required. This exhibition is an invitation to discover, understand, and experience the deep roots of Chinese civilization.

Thierry Lefort's California - 20 years of painting: Free retrospective exhibition

How about taking a trip to California without leaving Paris? From December 23, 2025, to January 7, 2026, the Beffroi de Montrouge is hosting "La Californie de Thierry Lefort," a museum-scale exhibition curated by Yoyo Maeght. This exceptional retrospective traces twenty years of painting between Paris and Los Angeles. An artistic journey not to be missed. Admission is free upon reservation, with a gift for each visitor (links below).

Open house: an immersion in the heart of waste treatment

Syctom, the metropolitan household waste agency, is opening the doors of its Isséane energy recovery unit in Issy-les-Moulineaux on Saturday, November 29. This is the perfect opportunity to find out for free what happens to household waste and how it is converted into energy. This event is part of European Waste Reduction Week, which will take place from November 22 to 30, 2025.

Contes et Histoires 2025: a mysterious theatrical tour at the Maison des Jardies

For the 2025 Christmas holidays, the Maison de Jardies, located in Sèvres (92), is offering original tours for the whole family from January 2 to 4, 2026, as part of the Contes et Histoires event organized by Monuments Nationaux. Reserve your spots now.

La Samaritaine's 2025 Christmas window displays put the ribbon at the heart of the holiday season.

For Christmas 2025, La Samaritaine is transforming into a huge gift waiting to be unwrapped. From November 5 to January 6, giant ribbons and swirls will snake their way from the grand staircase to the facade, while the iconic peacock will leave its fresco on the 5th floor to join in the fun and watch over your gifts.

The 2025 Floating Lantern Festival at Wat Pho temple in Paris

The Festival des Lanternes Flottantes returns for a 3rd edition on October 19, 2025 at the Pagode Wat Pho Paris, located in Essonne. Organized in conjunction with Thailand's tourist office, the event celebrates Thai culture with shows and entertainment open to all, free of charge.

Fête de la Science 2025: exclusive tour of laboratories and workshops at the Collège de France

The Fête de la Science runs from October 3 to 13, 2025! Everywhere in France, numerous free events for all ages will be promoting scientific culture, including the Collège de France, whose doors will be open to all on October 11.

Tous en Forêt 2025, explore the forests of Île-de-France with ONF foresters

On Wednesday, September 24, 2025, the Tous en Forêt event returns for a 5th edition in the Île-de-France region. A day to meet ONF foresters and find out more about the challenges of forest management, at over 40 participating forests in the region.

Germinations, the new free arts festival that transforms a Yvelines village

GERMINATIONS is the name of the first ecological arts festival to transform Raizeux (Yvelines) into an open-air gallery. 24 French and international artists will take over 4 sites in the village from September 13 to 28, 2025, all with free access.