The Police Headquarters Museum will participate in this year's Night of Museums 2026, taking place on Saturday, May 23. Founded in 1909 by Commissioner Louis Lépine, the museum showcases over four centuries of law enforcement history within 300 square meters of curated collections. One gallery explores the concepts of crime and punishment from the Old Regime through the abolition of the death penalty in 1981, while another space highlights the diverse professions within the Police Headquarters!
The Musée de la Préfecture de Police is an opportunity to relive France's most notorious cases through the stories of four centuries of bloody crimes, attacks and political assassinations; regicides, blood crimes, murders by poison, skulduggery or swindles... The museum portrays some of the world's most brutal criminals, who never cease to be the talk of the town, as evidenced by the life-like portrait of Cartouche in his prison!
Three women entered the police station to gain access to the museum, presenting their ID cards. A fourth woman also went inside but left without showing any identification. The next day, the museum director arriving at the site discovered the lifeless body of one of the women in the forensic science room, beside the chairs. A Browning 1900 pistol was resting on one of the seats. On the floor, there were glasses and a broken shoe heel.
Who is this young woman? What could have happened to her? Was it murder? If so, who might be responsible, and what was their motive? Or was it a suicide?
This investigation designed for children aims to teach about victim and criminal identification techniques, sharing the history and evolution of forensic science and crime scene investigation.
The latest temporary exhibition at the Police Prefecture Museum, created in partnership with the Criminocorpus association and historian Pierre Piazza, is dedicated to Police Prefect Louis Lépine (1846-1933). The display explores around fifteen themes, including the theft of the Mona Lisa, the Seine's flooding, and the separation of church and state. For the first time, a remarkable collection of over 150 vintage postcards is on display alongside original artifacts from the era.
Gérard Morel is a judicial magistrate and vice-president of the Pontoise District Court, as well as a novelist specializing in historical fiction. In this talk, he offers a humorous analysis of Arsène Lupin’s complex personality—part thief, part detective, part avenger—an elusive hero of both shadow and light. Lupin has stolen jewelry, burglarized castles, and impersonated countless identities, yet there's no denying that he earned his widespread popularity through his daring escapades!
Discover the behind-the-scenes world of forensic science! Thanks to the TV series Les Experts in the 2000s, forensic technicians shot to prominence in the media spotlight. Their work sparks curiosity and fascination, yet for the general public, these professional practices remain largely mysterious. Armed with specialized toolkits, forensic technicians work tirelessly to interpret crime scenes and actively contribute to uncovering the truth. Today, advances in technology have significantly improved the analysis of evidence and trace materials. To better understand the current landscape of forensic science, this conference, led by a former crime scene technician from the Judicial Police in Paris, shines a light on the key figures in the history of forensic investigation and traces its evolution over time.
In short, it's a great opportunity to find out more about this institution, which is involved in the lives of Parisians on a daily basis. Happy Nuit des Musées!
Dates and Opening Time
On May 23, 2026
Location
Préfecture de Police Museum
4 Rue de la Montagne Sainte Geneviève
75005 Paris 5
Prices
Free
Official website
www.prefecturedepolice.interieur.gouv.fr
