The Tour de France through the eyes of the National Gendarmerie Museum for the Night of Museums 2026

The National Gendarmerie Museum is inviting the public to join the 22nd Night of Museums, taking place on Saturday, May 23, 2026. As part of the event, admission will be free for everyone, offering a unique opportunity to explore the different roles within the gendarmerie. This year’s program highlights the famous Tour de France, celebrating this iconic sporting event.

Once again this year, the National Gendarmerie Museum will be open to the public for free during the Night of Museums 2026, a beloved event that offers a host of cultural after-hours visits. This Saturday, May 23, 2026, families and curious visitors alike can explore captivating exhibits dedicated to the History of the French Gendarmerie. The museum’s narratives are woven into the broader story of France, from the Middle Ages to today.

The permanent collections, open for exploration during this 22nd edition of Night of Museums, showcase a diverse array of objects. Visitors can marvel at everything from an 18th-century Gendarmerie coin stun gun to the MR73—a traditional firearm used by the GIGN—and the various vehicles employed by the gendarmerie.

The "chronothematic" alcoves on the first and second floors look back at pivotal periods for the Gendarmerie, including the Maréchaussée, the two empires, the two world wars, colonization and decolonization, the time of reforms, May '68, and many other key moments.

What to Expect at the 2026 Night of Museums at the National Gendarmerie Museum

Exhibition of Tour de France Vehicles
Saturday, May 23, 2026 — 5:00 PM to 11:00 PM
Several iconic vehicles from the Tour will be showcased on the museum's forecourt for a special display. These motorized displays highlight the evolution of equipment and the ongoing adaptation of the gendarmerie to the challenges of hosting a large-scale, mobile event.

Flyby mediation until 8 PM conducted by Thierry Cadou, in charge of the museum’s mechanical memory collection
Photography Exhibition "At the Heart of the Tour"
Saturday, May 23, 2026 — from 5:00 PM to 11:00 PM
Take a behind-the-scenes look at the Tour de France, alongside the police officers responsible for ensuring its safety.

Set in Salle Lélu, this exhibition offers a visual journey into the heart of the race. Featuring a selection of striking photographs, it highlights the tireless efforts of the gendarmes in action: securing roads, coordinating security measures, engaging with spectators, and maintaining a consistent presence along the entire route. It provides an insider’s view of what it takes to host a global event, emphasizing the human dedication and logistical planning that keep the Tour running smoothly.
Guided Tours of the Museum
Saturday, May 23, 2026 - 5:45 PM to 6:45 PM, then again from 8:15 PM to 9:15 PM
Come explore the National Gendarmerie Museum with a one-hour guided tour that highlights intriguing artifacts and fascinating anecdotes.
Film screening and discussion exploring behind-the-scenes of the Tour de France
Saturday, May 23, 2026 — 8:00 PM to 10:00 PM
The session will kick off with a screening of approximately thirty minutes of archival footage from the 1970s to the 1990s, courtesy of the Defense Audiovisual Communication and Production Establishment (ECPAD). Following this, speakers who have experienced the Tour firsthand—covering aspects of sport, logistics, and public service—will share their stories and anecdotes. This is a unique opportunity to ask all your questions about the role of the gendarmes in ensuring the security of the Tour de France!

Hosted by Colonel Joël Scherer, deputy commander of the Gendarmerie Group in Bouches-du-Rhône and former liaison officer for the Tour, along with Major Philippe Breteau, a communication specialist responsible for recruitment and the Tour’s caravan for twenty-five years.