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.
Quirky sketches at the Louvre during an extraordinary late-night edition for the Night of Museums!
The Louvre Museum is taking part in the 2026 Night of Museums this Saturday, May 23, 2026, and will warmly welcome visitors for a free, special nocturnal edition at this iconic Parisian venue. But be warned, you must register in advance to participate! So, ready for this 22nd edition? [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]
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 at the Palace of Versailles (Yvelines), the program for the Sun King's estate.
What’s on the agenda for the 2026 Night of Museums at the Château de Versailles? Here’s what’s in store for the 22nd edition, hosted on Saturday, May 23, 2026! [Read more]
Night of Museums 2026: the BnF Richelieu Museum and its oval room go on view after dark
The Night of Museums is back on Saturday, May 23, 2026. It’s your chance to explore after hours the famous Oval Room and the Bibliothèque nationale de France’s museum, which hides a treasure trove. Click here to view the program. [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]
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]
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]
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]
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
