Night of Museums 2026 in Paris: your top 10 must-see deals and highlights this year

Published by La Rédac · Photos by Cécile de Sortiraparis · Updated on March 3, 2026 at 08:02 p.m.
Are you on the hunt for the must-see highlights for the Museum Night in Paris and the Île-de-France region on Saturday, May 23, 2026? Free museums, special events — follow our guide to uncover the top 10 must-know tips for this unforgettable evening. From renowned institutions to quirky hidden gems, there's plenty to ensure a memorable cultural night out.

It's the highly anticipated annual event for art and culture lovers: the Night of Museums. Celebrating its 22nd edition, it returns this year! Mark your calendars for Saturday May 23, 2026, for an extraordinary evening when museums and landmarks across Paris and Île-de-France open their doors — and often free of charge!

For this brand-new edition, the Nuit of Museums offers an even richer and more diverse lineup: hundreds of museums, castles, and historical sites are opening their doors. On Saturday, May 23rd, 2026, alongside free exhibitions, thousands of activities are happening across participating venues: concerts, guided tours, games, film screenings, performances, and more...

It's hard to find your way through all the choices. How do you find the coolest events, the most beautiful venues, all without spending a penny? Don't worry, you've come to the right place: to help you, we've put together a selection of the top 10 must-do events for this Nuit des Musées in Paris and the Ile-de-France region.

The Top 10 Must-Do Experiences for Night of Museums 2026:

Musée d'Orsay, collection permanenteMusée d'Orsay, collection permanenteMusée d'Orsay, collection permanenteMusée d'Orsay, collection permanente 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]

K-Beauty au musée Guimet : l'exposition sur la beauté en Corée du Sud se dévoile en images - fotor 1773748031486K-Beauty au musée Guimet : l'exposition sur la beauté en Corée du Sud se dévoile en images - fotor 1773748031486K-Beauty au musée Guimet : l'exposition sur la beauté en Corée du Sud se dévoile en images - fotor 1773748031486K-Beauty au musée Guimet : l'exposition sur la beauté en Corée du Sud se dévoile en images - fotor 1773748031486 Lantern Festival and Shamanism: An Evening at the Guimet Museum for Museum Night 2026
The Guimet Museum is taking part in the 2026 Night of Museums this Saturday, May 23. It’s a chance to step into this museum dedicated to Asian arts and to discover the program crafted for the occasion. [Read more]

Musée Bourdelle rénové -  salle des plâtresMusée Bourdelle rénové -  salle des plâtresMusée Bourdelle rénové -  salle des plâtresMusée Bourdelle rénové -  salle des plâtres Night of Museums 2026: A remarkable after-hours visit to the heart of a renowned Paris sculptor's studio
For the Night of Museums 2026, the Bourdelle Museum invites curious visitors to discover the work of sculptor Antoine Bourdelle during an exceptional late-night opening this Saturday, May 23. Here's what's on the program. [Read more]

MUSEE SAFRANMUSEE SAFRANMUSEE SAFRANMUSEE SAFRAN Flight simulation and theatrical tours at a Paris-area aeronautical and space museum for the Night of Museums 2026
In Seine-et-Marne, this museum devoted to aviation and outer space invites you to take off for the Night of Museums 2026. Between flight simulators, theatrical tours and performances, it promises a lively evening on Saturday, May 23, 2026. [Read more]

cité des sciencescité des sciencescité des sciencescité des sciences An evening under the stars at the Cité des Sciences for the 2026 Night of Museums.
The City of Science and Industry joins the 22nd Night of Museums this Saturday, May 23, 2026. On this special evening, the museum opens its doors for free to its collections, exhibitions, and performances. A night to thrill visitors of all ages! [Read more]

Musée de la chasse et de la nature - collections permanentes et visuels - IMG20241209151208Musée de la chasse et de la nature - collections permanentes et visuels - IMG20241209151208Musée de la chasse et de la nature - collections permanentes et visuels - IMG20241209151208Musée de la chasse et de la nature - collections permanentes et visuels - IMG20241209151208 Nuit des Musées 2026 at the Museum of Hunting and Nature: discover this cabinet of curiosities
The Museum of Hunting and Nature comes alive for Night of Museums 2026. Discover the lineup awaiting you on Saturday, May 23, 2026, for an exceptional late-night edition in Paris. [Read more]

La Cinémathèque française : le temple des cinéphiles au cœur du quartier BercyLa Cinémathèque française : le temple des cinéphiles au cœur du quartier BercyLa Cinémathèque française : le temple des cinéphiles au cœur du quartier BercyLa Cinémathèque française : le temple des cinéphiles au cœur du quartier Bercy A special late-night program exploring the Marilyn Monroe universe for the 2026 Night of Museums at the Cinémathèque.
For the Night of Museums in Paris, the Cinémathèque is offering free activities around the museum’s collections and the exhibitions on display, sure to delight film lovers as well as families! Mark your calendars for May 23, 2026 to experience a cinema-filled late night. [Read more]

Photos : Exposition Gabrielle Chanel au Palais Galliera.Photos : Exposition Gabrielle Chanel au Palais Galliera.Photos : Exposition Gabrielle Chanel au Palais Galliera.Photos : Exposition Gabrielle Chanel au Palais Galliera. Concert and fashion: Palais Galliera's lineup for Museums Night 2026
Palais Galliera takes the stage for an exceptional late opening: this Saturday, May 23, 2026, the fashion museum joins the 22nd edition of Night of Museums, unveiling a special program. Attention to enthusiasts and the curious—it's time to rediscover Palais Galliera in the evening. [Read more]

Femmes photographes de guerre, l'exposition du musée de la Libération - nos photosFemmes photographes de guerre, l'exposition du musée de la Libération - nos photosFemmes photographes de guerre, l'exposition du musée de la Libération - nos photosFemmes photographes de guerre, l'exposition du musée de la Libération - nos photos Night of Museums 2026 at the Musée de la Libération de Paris: the program for the free late-night opening.
For this 22nd edition of the Night of Museums, the Museum of the Liberation of Paris invites you to discover a free program on Saturday, May 23, 2026, as part of a special nocturne. [Read more]

Le Musée de Cluny, le musée du Moyen-Âge de Paris et ses trésors séculairesLe Musée de Cluny, le musée du Moyen-Âge de Paris et ses trésors séculairesLe Musée de Cluny, le musée du Moyen-Âge de Paris et ses trésors séculairesLe Musée de Cluny, le musée du Moyen-Âge de Paris et ses trésors séculaires Nuit des Musées 2026 at the Musée de Cluny: the lineup for the nocturnal events in the heart of the Middle Ages in Paris
The Cluny Museum will open its doors to the public for free this Saturday, May 23, 2026, on the occasion of the 22nd Night of Museums edition. The program features free, music-filled tours through the heart of this Parisian museum devoted to the Middle Ages. Read on for the evening schedule. [Read more]

So, what’s on the agenda for the 2026 Night of Museums in Paris and the surrounding areas?

Practical information

Dates and Opening Time
On May 23, 2026

× Approximate opening times: to confirm opening times, please contact the establishment.

    Prices
    Free

    Official website
    nuitdesmusees.culture.gouv.fr

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