Art, science, history, cinema, animals, immersive experiences or new technologies: the Île-de-France programme offers exhibitions tailored for children and teenagers, with options that vary widely by age. Several venues also complement their exhibitions with playful trails, interactive installations, workshops, or tours designed specifically for families.
These two weeks of holidays are also a chance to discover a museum you don’t always take the time to visit the rest of the year, or to enjoy a temporary exhibition in Paris before it closes. To help you plan your outings, here is our pick of 10 exhibitions to see with kids during the Christmas holidays 2026 in Paris and the Île-de-France region. Remember to check the special hours for December 24, 25 and 31, 2026 as well as January 1, 2027, and to book when needed.
AURA INVALIDES, the must-see sound and light show in Paris
Looking for a unique nocturnal experience in Paris? Ready to be amazed and embark on a timeless journey to a legendary heritage site? Come and discover AURA INVALIDES, a sound and light show at the iconic Dôme des Invalides as night falls. A magical moment in the heart of the Dome, sure to delight young and old alike. [Read more]
AI in Focus: An Educational Exhibition at the Air and Space Museum
Artificial intelligence is at the center of current affairs, but do you really know what it is? The Air and Space Museum offers a clear look at the topic with the exhibition Cap on AI, on view from October 15, 2026 to June 27, 2027. [Read more]
Le Paradox Museum Paris: more than 90 immersive experiences and a Hans & Gretel Café
Paradox Museum offers nearly a hundred immersive experiences—from trompe-l'œil illusions and optical tricks to sensory overhauls—that await visitors in Paris. Get ready to be tricked and to snap surreal photos. Five new interactive installations have just been added to the journey, making it the perfect time to challenge your senses! And as a bonus, a brand-new, ultra-delicious café, Hans & Gretel, is ready to tempt you. [Read more]
ZEUS, the iconic metal horse from the Olympics, on display for free at the Museum of Arts and Crafts in Paris
Zeus, the mechanical horse from the Olympic Games that captured everyone's hearts, has now arrived at the Musée des Arts et Métiers in Paris. The towering steel colossus is open to the public free of charge from December 17, 2025, to January 10, 2027. [Read more]
Artists at the Museum: A Special Anniversary Exhibition Celebrates 400 Years of the National Museum of Natural History
The National Museum of Natural History in Paris is celebrating its 400th anniversary with a major exhibition, running from September 23, 2026, to March 7, 2027. Explore the Museum's artists across the centuries and discover the rich artistic heritage intertwined with its scientific legacy. [Read more]
Lady Liberty: the famous statue at the heart of an exhibition at the Museum of Arts and Trades.
The Museum of Arts and Crafts invites us into the secrets behind the construction of the Statue of Liberty, with the exhibition Lady Liberty, on view from September 22, 2026, to August 1, 2027. [Read more]
Mission spatiale, the new permanent exhibition in the stars at the Cité des sciences
Take a trip into space from October 23, 2023 at the Cité des sciences et de l'industrie, with a new permanent exhibition on the conquest of space. [Read more]
Maison Poincaré: we visited the very first mathematics museum in Paris
The Maison Poincaré, nestled in the heart of Paris's Latin Quarter, invites you to discover the capital's very first mathematics museum from September 30, 2023. Inspired by the world's greatest science museums, this unique venue promises to illuminate the history, influence and wonders of mathematics for all the curious! We tell you all about it! [Read more]
La Cité de l'Histoire, our test of the immersive French History experience at La Défense
Ready to plunge into the great History of France? The first Cité de l'Histoire is opening its doors in La Défense's Grande Arche, with a fun, immersive tour of our shared past. [Read more]
Heritage in Resistance: From Timbuktu to Odessa, an Exhibition at the City of Architecture.
Sponsored - In Paris, the Cité de l’architecture et du patrimoine presents the exhibition Patrimoines en résistance : de Tombouctou à Odessa, running from May 20, 2026 to January 3, 2027, a look at heritage in wartime, where destruction, safeguarding, and rebuilding come into play. [Read more]
And don't forget: many museums and monuments remain open on December 25! We don't miss a chance to enjoy these places of art and culture that are a dream for young and old alike.
Christmas in Paris: museums and monuments open on Thursday, December 25, 2025
After Christmas presents and another (overly) hearty meal, how about heading out with family or friends on Thursday, December 25, 2025? Let's visit the museums and monuments that are open on this public holiday. [Read more]
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Dates and Opening Time
From December 19, 2026 to January 3, 2027
