A fresh three-day weekend awaits France's luckiest residents. This Monday, May 25, 2026, is the Pentecost Monday. And if we use this public holiday to map out a great line-up of outings in Paris and Île-de-France? No need to worry—this extra day off won’t wreck your budget: you can still uncover plenty of wonderful free activities in the capital and its surroundings! One more good reason to get out, have fun and explore this Pentecost Monday.
So what can you do for free in Paris and the Ile-de-France region this bank holiday? We've put together a list of the best things to do in Paris to recharge your batteries without breaking the bank. From ideas for walks to free exhibitions and new concepts, you're sure to love your Parisian outing. After all, who doesn't love a good plan?
In fact, this guide is updated as we make announcements and discoveries. So, to make sure you don't miss out on any of the free events that await you this bank holiday, don't hesitate to keep this page and consult it regularly to put together your program. If in doubt, don't forget to contact the venues directly to make sure they're open.
Essonne: 18 free open-air shows in 14 towns, the program!
The Day // Night Festival returns to Essonne for its 15th edition, presenting 18 free open-air performances, blending street theatre, dance and circus across 14 towns from May 22–25 and May 29–31, 2026. [Read more]
Freestyle Villette: the House of Urban Cultures in the 19th arrondissement, upcoming programming
To celebrate urban cultures, the city of Paris is building a Maison des cultures urbaines in the heart of the Parc de La Villette. From October 4, 2025, you'll be able to discover urban dance, music, sports and street art. [Read more]
Tip: Comédie-Française offers free Monday tickets to under-28s
Every Monday evening in Paris, the Comédie-Française offers a unique opportunity to young people under the age of 28: 95 free tickets are distributed for its performances in the prestigious Salle Richelieu. Tickets can be collected from the Petit Bureau, one hour before the start of the play. [Read more]
Disney Village in May 2026: concerts and activities for a night out near Disneyland Paris
Disney Village is buzzing with live concerts and free happenings near Disneyland Paris, offering music nights and festive events to discover throughout May 2026. Check out the lineup! [Read more]
Everyone's chasing their cat: the exhibition exploring the many facets of the feline at Fluctuart — our photos
"Everybody’s Searching for Their Cat," that’s the name of the new free exhibition at Fluctuart. Mark your calendars from May 7 to August 23, 2026, to admire works by about ten artists rooted in urban art. For the occasion, Madame, Kraken, Ardif, and Wenna explore the many facets of the feline that fascinates us. [Read more]
This free Haute Couture fashion exhibition has taken up residence in an Art Deco auction house in Paris.
The auction house Tajan is staging a free exhibition in Paris dedicated to haute couture in the 8th arrondissement, on Friday, May 22, and then from Monday, May 25 to Wednesday, May 27, 2026. An exclusive collection brings together fashion pieces and accessories from the greatest houses, from Dior to Chanel, Alaïa to Alexander McQueen, with Hermès not forgotten. [Read more]
Coastal Bodies: Camille Guichard's exhibition at the Rachel Hardouin Gallery
The Rachel Hardouin Gallery highlights Camille Guichard with Corps littoral, her first solo exhibition in Paris, running May 21 to June 21, 2026. Blending contemporary photography, poetic texts, bodies and the coastline, the artist examines our relationship with the living world. [Read more]
Forest Tales: Lélia Demoisy's exhibition at Domaine de Chamarande
Lélia Demoisy presents Tales from the Forests, a contemporary art exhibition at the Domaine départemental de Chamarande in the Essonne department, running from May 10 to August 30, 2026. The exhibition journey traverses the forest, living beings, and the memory of materials through sculptures and installations. [Read more]
“Trading in the Unknown” : the exhibition marking the new edition of the Reiffers Initiatives Prize
Sponsored - Discover the fifth edition of the Reiffers Initiatives Prize with the exhibition "Trafficking the Unknown," which spotlights the French emerging scene. A must-see in contemporary art, the exhibition brings together each year, since 2021, a curated selection of artists chosen by the Reiffers Initiatives artistic committee. Admission is free and open to everyone. [Read more]
Prehistory, between utopia and reality: a free, family-friendly exhibition at the Collège de France
From April 29, 2026, the Collège de France takes visitors back to the Paleolithic era with a free exhibition open to the entire family. Spanning—from early Paleolithic masterpieces to pop culture icons—this unprecedented journey shows how humanity has continually reinvented its roots to better understand its present. [Read more]
The President of the Republic's Honorary Titles: a free exhibition at the Élysée Palace in Paris
At the Élysée, power wears its insignia rather than its rhetoric. With the free exhibition “The Honorary Titles of the President of the Republic,” on display from April 28 to June 27, 2026, it is the decorations of power that take center stage. [Read more]
Open-air exhibition of Theodoulos Gregoriou's sculptures in the Faubourg Saint-Honoré district
Faubourg Saint-Honoré is rewritten as an open-air gallery with a free, outdoor exhibition in Paris, where time is carved in layered strata. From April 28 to July 27, 2026, the sculptures by Cypriot artist Theodoulos Gregoriou for "Cyprus on Faubourg Saint-Honoré" invite memory and contemporary creation to converse in the heart of the 1st arrondissement, between reinvented ruins and today’s sculptural language. [Read more]
Zipcy in Paris: our photos from the exhibition The Sweet Fortress at the Goldshteyn-Saatort Gallery
The Korean artist Zipcy makes her solo debut in France with La Forteresse Douce, on view at the Goldshteyn-Saatort Gallery in Paris from April 24 to June 4, 2026. The exhibition centers on hanji paper, natural pigments, and the intimate, presented through the sensitive universe of this South Korean artist. [Read more]
Lafayette, bridging France and America: free exhibit on the Marquis at the National Archives
From April 1 to July 14, 2026, the National Archives will host a free exhibition dedicated to Marquis de Lafayette. Featuring rare documents, caricatures, and related artifacts, this exhibition traces the life of the "hero of two worlds" — a figure equally celebrated in the United States and debated within France, against the backdrop of revolutionary upheavals. [Read more]
Pentecost 2026: Paris' parks and gardens to stroll in the sun
Monday in the sun... It looks like this is what's on the agenda for Whit Monday 2025: with the fine weather forecast, we're off to enjoy the parks and gardens of Paris! [Read more]
Fête de la Nature in Val-d'Oise (95) 2025: free tips for going green
Nature Festival 2026 lands in Val-d'Oise (95) from May 20 to 25 to mark its 20th anniversary. Bird-watching walks, nature hikes, the LPO refuge, and naturalist photography are on the program, free of charge. [Read more]
Nature Festival 2026: the lineup and activities to discover in Val-de-Marne (94)
The Fête de la Nature 2026 takes place May 20–25, 2026 in Val-de-Marne (94), offering free activities to explore the wildlife, flora, and biodiversity of Île-de-France with family or friends. [Read more]
Nature Festival 2026 in Paris and Île-de-France: the free highlights for its 20th anniversary.
The Festival of Nature turns 20 in 2026! From May 20 to 25, Paris and the Île-de-France region will host hundreds of free activities to explore and celebrate local wildlife, plants, and biodiversity. [Read more]
Nature Festival 2026: walks, concerts and exhibitions in Essonne
La Fête de la Nature invests the courtyard of La Ferme de Boussy-Saint-Antoine in Essonne, from May 21 to 25, 2026. On the program: exhibitions, nature walks, lectures, and a free-admission eco-concert with a quirky twist. [Read more]
Nature Festival in Seine-et-Marne 2026 (77): top ideas for free outings
The Festival of Nature 2026 comes to Seine-et-Marne (77) from May 20 to 25 for its 20th edition. Poetic strolls, nocturnal butterflies, living forests, and harriers in flight: here are the free outings and activities not to miss in the 77. [Read more]
Nature Festival 2026 in Seine-Saint-Denis (93): the free highlights
The Nature Festival 2026 heads to Seine-Saint-Denis (93) from May 20 to 25 for its 20th anniversary. Nature walks, creative workshops, cyanotype sessions, and family hikes: here are the free activities not to miss in the 93. [Read more]
Nature Festival in Hauts-de-Seine 2026 (92): Free activities on the agenda
The Festival of Nature 2026 hops over to Hauts-de-Seine (92) from May 20 to 25, 2026 for its 20th edition. Evening strolls, nature workshops, and insect discovery: the free activities you won’t want to miss in the department. [Read more]
Fête de la Nature 2026 en Essonne (91) : free outings and activities to go green
La Fête de la Nature 2026 invades Essonne (91) from May 20 to 25, 2026 for its 20th edition. Walks, workshops, concerts and exhibitions: here are the free activities you won’t want to miss in the department this year. [Read more]
Nature Festival in Yvelines 2026 (78): top picks on the agenda
Nature Festival marks its 20th anniversary in Yvelines from May 20 to 25, 2026. Guided walks, birdwatching, insect discovery... here are the free activities open to everyone in the 78. [Read more]
26 charming villages and strolls to discover near Paris, the treasures of Île-de-France
Get away from Paris with these 26 must-see getaways within 100 km of the capital. [Read more]
Around the Pitch: the site to find amateur matches to watch near you
Sponsored - Finding an amateur football, basketball, or handball match to watch near you has never been easier. Launched a few weeks ago, Autour du Terrain lets you spot nearby games in just a few clicks, thanks to a real-time search engine fed by official data from the sport federations. In France, and especially in Île-de-France where the match offering is dense, Autour du Terrain is poised to become a reflex whenever you’re looking for a game. [Read more]
Roland-Garros 2026: live matches on the Galeries Lafayette rooftop, with a breathtaking view of Paris
Want to experience Roland-Garros in a different way? From May 24 to June 7, 2026, head to the Galeries Lafayette Paris Haussmann rooftop terrace to watch the French Open matches, comfortably lounging in sun loungers with a view of the capital! [Read more]
GR15: the 10 stages of the great hike along the banks of the Marne in Ile-de-France
From Paris to Château-Thierry, come and walk the brand new Grande Randonnée, the GR15 and its 10 stages, for a walk along the banks of the Marne in the heart of nature. [Read more]
Street workout: where to train free of charge in the open air in Paris's 16th arrondissement?
The 16th arrondissement of Paris offers several open-air spaces dedicated to street workout. These facilities, which are accessible free of charge, enable you to practice bodyweight training in a pleasant urban setting. [Read more]
Good plan: health trails for free exercise in Paris
Does exercising require a substantial monthly budget? Not if you take advantage of the free facilities, such as the fitness trails in Paris, that are just waiting for you! [Read more]
Street workout: where to train free of charge in the open air in Paris's 19th arrondissement?
Want to work out outdoors? The 19th arrondissement offers several free open-air street workout areas, accessible every day, for free training in Paris. [Read more]
Street workout: where to train for free in Paris's 14th arrondissement?
Street workout is a discipline that combines weight training and gymnastics: where can you practice it and, above all, where can you train in the 14th arrondissement? [Read more]
Street workout: where to train free of charge in the open air in Paris's 18th arrondissement?
Looking for a free, open-air street workout in Paris's 18th arrondissement? Here's a selection of the best places equipped with equipment available 24 hours a day, for all levels. [Read more]
Street workout: where to train free of charge in the open air in Paris's 13th arrondissement?
Combining weight training and gymnastics, street workout is a trendy sport. In Paris, we explain where to train in the 13th arrondissement. [Read more]
Hiking: the 25 moguls circuit, the GR 20 in the Fontainebleau forest in the Paris region
In Corsica, they have the GR 20, reputed to be the most difficult of the French Grande Randonnée (GR) trails. In the Île-de-France region, we're a long way from rivalling the circuit's 200 kilometers and 11,000 meters of ascent, yet it's here, in the forest of Fontainebleau, that you'll find one of the region's most demanding hikes. [Read more]
Pokémon store in Paris, discover the first permanent store dedicated to Pokémon in pictures
A new immersive Pokémon corner opens in Paris? We're off to discover the new 80 m² permanent space, dedicated to the world of the famous creatures, in the Le Coin des Barons store, located on rue de Rivoli in the 1st arrondissement. As of March 28, 2025, this unique corner awaits collectors and enthusiasts alike. [Read more]
Seine-et-Marne: Pentecost flea markets, May 23–25, 2026 in the 77
This Pentecost weekend, Seine-et-Marne (77) throws open its village squares to bargain hunters. Flea markets and garage sales are on the program from Saturday, May 23 to Monday, May 25, 2026, in around forty municipalities across the department. [Read more]
Yvelines: Flea markets and garage sales this Pentecost weekend, May 23–25, 2026, in the 78
Want to hunt for bargains this Pentecost weekend? The Yvelines (78) are hosting flea markets and garage sales from Friday, May 23 to Monday, May 25, 2026, with events in around twenty municipalities across the department. [Read more]
Walk in the footsteps of Gustave Caillebotte, Impressionist painter, in Paris and the Ile-de-France region
Follow in the footsteps of Gustave Caillebotte, an Impressionist painter and discreet patron of the arts, who captured modern beauty with the rigor of an architect and the sensitivity of a poet, from Haussmann's Paris to the peaceful banks of the Seine in Yerres and Gennevilliers. [Read more]
Did you know? A free cruise on the Seine for your birthday!
Is it your birthday? Don't miss this great offer! On your birthday, you can enjoy a free cruise on the Seine in Paris. An iconic activity to mark the occasion! [Read more]
L'Isle-Adam: the green nugget in Ile-de-France, 25 km from Paris
L'Isle-Adam, one of France's most beautiful Detours and a source of inspiration for many a landscape painter, is a veritable green nugget to be discovered just a few kilometers from Paris. On the banks of the River Oise, with its seaside resort and beautiful monuments, this village in the Val d'Oise has plenty to tempt those in search of strolls and discoveries. [Read more]
A stroll tracing Victor Hugo's footsteps in Paris: discover the places linked to the famous writer!
He wrote Les Misérables, The Hunchback of Notre-Dame, and The Last Day of a Condemned Man: today it’s his story we pause to explore. Take a stroll through Paris tracing the footsteps of the great French writer Victor Hugo, and discover the many places that shaped his life. [Read more]
Great tip: a cycle path to discover the Oise’s bucolic banks by bike.
Biking the Oise is the freegoing stroll on offer, accessible from Paris or with a Navigo pass, and suitable for all levels. What’s in store? Beautiful villages along the way and the feeling of being far, very far from Paris. [Read more]
Bois-le-Roi leisure center (77): free swimming and year-round sports activities.
Just a stone’s throw from the Fontainebleau forest, the Bois-le-Roi leisure complex is best known for its free swimming spot. Throughout the year, it’s also the go-to place to practice a wide range of outdoor sports. [Read more]
Yvelines: have you heard of this temple of love, a romantic kiosk-bridge set in a lush green haven?
In the Yvelines, at the heart of the Bonnelles pond nature reserve, a charming bridge-kiosk nicknamed the “Temple of Love” still bears witness to an 18th-century parc à fabriques—an elaborate garden of follies. Open to the public for discovery in 2026. [Read more]
The Bridgertons arrive in The Sims 4: discover the new event to win rewards
A limited-time event is landing in The Sims 4 to help you score free new content. Step onto the dance floor and enjoy Lady Bridgerton’s masquerade ball, kicking off May 12, 2026. [Read more]
The riverside guinguette at La Pointe Sauvage on the banks of the Marne in Seine-et-Marne has opened its doors.
La guinguette of La Pointe Sauvage lands on the banks of the Marne in Vaires-sur-Marne, Seine-et-Marne, for a summer season that looks set to be convivial. Concerts, grilled fare, crepes and good spirits are on the menu from May 6 to September 2026 (and maybe beyond if the vibes—and the weather—cooperate). [Read more]
A free permanent exhibition dedicated to the art of perfumery takes over a former Parisian theatre.
Set in a former theatre in the heart of Paris, just steps from the Opéra Garnier, Fragonard’s perfume house has reopened the doors to its Théâtre du Parfum, a historic museum dedicated to the art of perfumery. Here’s what to expect. [Read more]
The Carmelite convent in Avon, Seine-et-Marne, unveils a free museum available on request.
In Avon, in Seine-et-Marne, the Carmes Convent hides a memorial open to the public, dedicated to Father Jacques, a Resistance figure made famous by Louis Malle. A place steeped in history that we unveil to you. [Read more]
Did you know? You can take free courses at the Collège de France, opposite the Sorbonne.
If you suddenly feel like sitting in on a course at the Collège de France, it’s possible! Since 1530, teaching there has been free and open to everyone, making knowledge more accessible. So, ready to explore the mysteries of the atom or the Mesopotamian civilization? [Read more]
This Pentecost Monday 2026, we’re taking the opportunity to venture into Paris and its surroundings for a day of exploration and discovery. Browse the free options to make the most of your day and treat yourself with friends or family.
Dates and Opening Time
On May 25, 2026
Prices
Free
