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.
Night of Museums 2026 at the Grand Palais: Free, after-hours tour of the Matisse exhibition
For the 2026 Night of Museums, the Grand Palais invites us to explore one of its major current exhibitions during a captivating nighttime cultural stroll, scheduled for May 23, 2026. [Read more]
Night of Museums 2026: Unravel the Mystery at the Police Prefecture Museum in Paris
On the occasion of the 2026 Night of Museums, the Police Prefecture Museum invites visitors to explore the inner workings of the Paris police force this Saturday, May 23, 2026, in the capital. A unique lineup of fun, family-friendly activities awaits for the event. Here’s a look at the full program. [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
