Every year in mid-May, Europe's museums, monuments and art venues open their doors to us for an evening full of surprises. The Nuit des Musées is a well-known event for art lovers: for us, it's an opportunity to visit beautiful museums close to home, to discover new ones, or to enjoy an exceptional and original program.
In Paris and across Île-de-France, on Saturday, May 23, 2026, hundreds of venues will open their doors to visitors. Expect guided tours, themed visits, performances, concerts, workshops... and many more surprises! But unless you have superpowers, you'll have to make some tough choices: it's impossible to experience all the museums, castles, and activities in just one evening!
And that's where the real challenge of Nuit des Musées comes in: how do you choose, how do you know which places to visit, which ones will have to wait for the next edition?
Of course, tastes and preferences vary. Still, we’ll do our best to guide you. To help you navigate the many options, take a look below at our curated list of must-see highlights for this Night of Museums 2026.
Explore the new Cartier Foundation for free, nestled in the heart of the Palais Royal, during the 2026 Night of Museums.
The Cartier Foundation for Contemporary Art invites you to discover its new home on Place du Palais-Royal for one free evening. Don’t miss this Night of Museums on May 23, 2026. [Read more]
Quirky sketches at the Louvre Museum for an exceptional nocturnal edition of the Night of Museums!
The Louvre Museum is taking part in Nuit des Musées 2026 this Saturday, May 23, 2026, and will host a free, special after-hours opening at this iconic Parisian landmark. But be warned: you must register in advance to participate! So, ready for the 22nd edition? [Read more]
A free late-night at the Musée d’Orsay: the can't-miss evening of Museums Night 2026
The Musée d'Orsay is taking part in the 22nd edition of the Night of Museums this Saturday, May 23, 2026, with a free, playful after-hours tour centered on the museum's collections. A chance to enjoy an artistic evening at this must-attend cultural event. [Read more]
Night of Museums 2026: concert and a nocturnal stroll at the Château de Champs-sur-Marne (77)
Night of Museums at the Château de Champs-sur-Marne promises plenty of discoveries this Saturday, May 23, 2026. Check out the lineup for this XXL art-filled night. [Read more]
Museum Night 2026 at the Château de Versailles (78): a royal, musical late-night affair
What to do for the 2026 Night of Museums at Versailles? Here’s what awaits you for this 22nd edition, eagerly anticipated on May 23, 2026, in the heart of the Sun King’s domain! [Read more]
Night of Museums 2026 at the Grand Palais: Free, Evening Access to the Matisse Exhibition in Paris
For the 2026 Museum Night, the Grand Palais invites us to explore one of its major current exhibitions during an exclusive evening event, set to take place on May 23, 2026. [Read more]
Night of Museums 2026: the BnF Richelieu Museum and its oval hall reveal themselves at night.
The Night of Museums is back on Saturday, May 23, 2026. It’s your chance to explore after hours the famed Oval Room and the Bibliothèque nationale de France’s museum, which holds a treasure trove of wonders. Head here to browse the program. [Read more]
Fontainebleau Palace to offer exceptional free admission for the Night of Museums 2026.
The Night of Museums is back in Paris and the Île-de-France region. It’s the perfect occasion for the Château de Fontainebleau to reveal its secrets during free, after-hours openings. Join us this Saturday, May 23, 2026, for a night that transcends time! [Read more]
Stellar concert at the Hôtel de la Marine for the 2026 Night of Museums in Paris
L'Hôtel de la Marine participates in the 22nd edition of the Night of Museums in Paris. It's a chance to discover this sublime historic monument during an exceptional after-hours event on May 23, 2026. Click here to see the program! [Read more]
Night of Museums 2026 at the Monnaie de Paris: a treasure hunt and a torchlight tour!
The Night of Museums is taking place this Saturday, May 23, 2026, across France. To mark the occasion, the Monnaie de Paris will open its doors for free and offer self-guided or guided tours during a special after-hours event. [Read more]
Night of Museums 2026 at the Museum of Decorative Arts: a scavenger hunt through the permanent collections
In Paris, the Musée des Arts Décoratifs (MAD Paris) is taking part in the 22nd edition of the Night of Museums on May 23, 2026. Click here for the detailed program of this free nocturnal event! [Read more]
Night of Museums 2026: a spectacular late-night opening at Gainsbourg's House Museum in Paris
The Night of Museums takes place this Saturday, May 23, 2026, in Paris and the Île-de-France region. It's a chance to discover the Musée de la Maison Gainsbourg, which immerses visitors in the world of a legend of French chanson: Serge Gainsbourg. Here is the schedule for this exceptional and free after-hours event awaiting you for its 22nd edition. [Read more]
Night of Museums 2026: Crime and Detective Adventure at the Police Prefecture Museum in Paris
On the occasion of the 2026 Night of Museums, the Police Prefecture Museum is opening its doors to give visitors a behind-the-scenes look at Parisian law enforcement this Saturday, May 23, 2026. A unique lineup of quirky and family-friendly activities awaits for the event. Read on for all the details of this engaging, hands-on program. [Read more]
A musical evening for the 2026 Night of Museums at the Musée de la Vie Romantique in Paris.
The Musée de la Vie Romantique invites you to a very special evening on May 23, 2026: activities are planned for the 22nd edition of the Night of Museums in Paris. [Read more]
Night of Museums 2026 at the Domaine de Sceaux (92): the full programme for this artistic evening
Nuit des Musées 2026 makes its way to the Domaine de Sceaux on Saturday, May 23. Here’s the lineup you can expect at this must-see spot in Hauts-de-Seine. Save the date! [Read more]
With these places of art and history, you can't go wrong: you're sure to have a great time! Please note, however, that some museums and monuments are only accessible by reservation, so make up your mind quickly! And of course, have a wonderful Nuit des Musées in Paris and the Ile-de-France region.
Dates and Opening Time
On May 23, 2026
