February-March Vacation at the Musée d'Orsay: Free Workshops for Kids

The Musée d'Orsay is hosting a range of family-friendly activities in its festive hall this February-March 2026 school break. Families can enjoy creative workshops, giant games, storytelling sessions, and podcasts—all free and open to all without prior booking, included with museum admission.

During the February break 2026, scheduled from February 21 to March 8, young Parisians and residents of Île-de-France can enjoy a trip to the Musée d'Orsay! With a dedicated family space, it's the perfect opportunity to add some creative activities and enticing entertainment for children of all ages to your visit among the museum's impressive collections.

For the winter holidays of 2026, the Musée d'Orsay is turning its grand ceremonial hall into a hub of play, creativity, and artistic discovery. Located in the 7th arrondissement of Paris, along the banks of the Seine, this venue offers a family-friendly program designed specifically for children. It’s open to all without prior reservations, from Tuesday to Sunday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and free of charge with a valid museum ticket.

While the Musée d'Orsay is famous for its Impressionist masterpieces and vast, sunlit galleries, it takes on a different, more playful side during February school breaks. With Vacations at Orsay, children and adults alike flock to Room 51 on the second floor for a lively cultural escape that’s anything but dull or stodgy.

What do children do at the Musée d'Orsay during the holidays?

The creative workshops are the highlight of the program. Kids can try their hand at modeling, reimagine characters from famous paintings, or contribute to a collaborative mural inspired by Van Gogh’s Starry Night. Needless to say, everyone leaves with their heads full of stars. It’s also a chance to see the masterpieces from the permanent collection in a new light—by handling, reinterpreting, and inhabiting them.

Are there quiet activities suitable for the little ones?

A cozy reading corner has been set up as a peaceful break between visits. Every day from 2:30 PM to 4:30 PM, volunteers from the organization Lire et faire Lire take over the space to offer reading aloud sessions featuring picture books directly inspired by the museum's collections. It's a timeless moment, perfect for families looking to blend quiet relaxation with cultural discovery without overwhelming the children's attention.

What games are available at the community hall?

There's also a lovely selection of games: a giant snakes and ladders, a family-themed card game featuring characters from famous paintings, puzzles, memory games, and building sets... All of which make learning feel like a fun play session, especially in good company. It's the kind of afternoon where kids leave having absorbed the names of a few painters without even noticing they’re learning.

Can you listen to podcasts at the Musée d'Orsay?

Here's a little update: a listening station has been set up to welcome visitors and introduce them to the museum’s children’s podcasts, including Les Promenades imaginaires. This series is aimed at kids aged 7 and up. Written by Béatrice Fontanel in collaboration with Création Collective, the podcast takes young listeners on journeys through stories inspired by paintings—like time-travel adventures, all from the comfort of a chair.

In short, if you're looking for a great family outing during the February holidays, the Musée d'Orsay is the place to be. The Vacances à Orsay program runs from Tuesday to Sunday, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., in the festival hall (room 51, second floor), accessible with an admission ticket to the museum. All the details and dates are available on the museum’s official website.

So, are we planning to spend part of the February 2026 holiday at the Musée d'Orsay?