As savvy as we are, we take advantage of free monuments and museums on the first Sunday of the month. If Paris is set to welcome the Quai Branly Museum, the Orsay Museum, the Arc de Triomphe, or the Hôtel de la Marine, the Yvelines aren’t left behind, with plenty of treasures waiting to be discovered.
One must admit that the department has plenty to draw crowds, not least the château de Versailles, which enchants us at every visit when the season allows (from October to March). But remember that the 78 also brims with other historic sites and sublime museums to discover. Some do not open for free, on the first Sunday of the month, only at certain times. This is the case for national monuments that are free on the first Sunday of the month, only from January to March and from November to December.
Also, with sites closed for maintenance or renovations and others that are never free, we point you toward the best value picks for this Sunday, July 5, 2026.
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The Château de Versailles, but also that of the Domaine de Trianon and, in particular, the Hameau de la Reine, are free on the first Sunday of the month from November through March for everyone. Whether you’re in the Île-de-France region or just stopping by as a tourist, this is the moment to drop in and explore France’s most beautiful château. You’ll get to discover the famed Galerie des Glaces and the royal apartments. Enjoy the Coronation Room, the Gallery of Battles, and then head to a lovely stroll at the Trianon, tracing in the footsteps of Marie-Antoinette and her domain. Note that during this period, access to the Versailles Park, the gardens, and the formal gardens and their basins is also free. To visit the château and its domain for free, be sure to reserve your free tickets by selecting a time slot.
From November through March, the Domaine national de Rambouillet opens its doors free to visitors on the first Sunday of the month. Go explore this storied site and discover more about Marie-Antoinette and the Princess of Lamballe. A princely, royal, imperial, and then presidential residence, the Rambouillet Château and its domain hide a wealth of treasures. Don’t miss the Queen’s Dairy, the Shell Cottage, and the famous National Sheepfold.
It's one of the masterpieces of the famous architect Le Corbusier that can be seen in the Île-de-France region: the Villa Savoye was created by the master in the 1930s, at the request of Pierre and Eugénie Savoye. At the time, it was a symbol of the French architect's modernity and savoir-faire.
In Maisons-Laffitte, you can admire a château renowned for its quintessential 17th-century architecture. This masterpiece was conceived by François Mansart for the Longueil family. We’re talking, of course, about the Château de Maisons, a richly decorated monument bordered by a sweeping park of more than 300 hectares. Nestled between the Seine and the forest of Saint-Germain-en-Laye, this patrimonial gem provides a spectacular setting for strolls and discoveries. visible
We head to Saint-Germain-en-Laye, inside its historic château, to discover the National Archaeology Museum. The museum houses some of the world’s richest archaeological collections, tracing the story of humanity and its “inventions” from the origin of man up to the Merovingian era. A series of temporary exhibitions allows visitors to learn more about our ancestors in a playful and educational way.
The domain, the ruins of the Port-Royal-des-Champs Abbey, and the national estate of the Granges of Port-Royal together form the Port-Royal-des-Champs National Domain. Set off to discover the abbey ruins razed by order of Louis XIV and the museum housed in the former "Petites Écoles" building. On the first Sunday of every month, park admission is free.
The Toy Museum, opened in September 1976, sits at the heart of the gatehouse of the Royal Saint-Louis Priory. This museum houses a vast collection of nearly 14,000 objects, including 600 games and toys that whisk visitors on a fascinating journey through the world of play, from Antiquity to the present day. Dolls, plush toys, miniature vehicles and racing tracks, board games and construction sets, science kits, jump ropes, or figurines… Styles come and go, technologies evolve, but children's passions remain timeless. To discover games of yesterday and today, take advantage of free admission on the first Sunday of every month.
The Hôtel-Dieu Museum houses a collection spanning centuries of artistic creation across three levels. Located in Mantes-la-Jolie, just steps from the Notre-Dame Collegiate, the Hôtel-Dieu Museum offers a look at the city’s medieval past as well as the works of artist Maximilien Luce. Admission is free on the first Sunday of every month.
On the first Sunday of every month, from October to December, the Maison de Fer offers a free, 30-minute guided tour with no reservation required. The Maison de Fer in Poissy, a landmark dating from 1896, is an unconventional museum dedicated to the city of Poissy, nestled in the heart of Meissonnier Park. Explore its distinctive industrial architecture, its history, and the broader story of Poissy’s evolution.
You may not know it, but the Arboretum de Chevreloup is also free to visit on the first Sunday of the month. A vast natural and landscaped expanse spanning 200 hectares, home to an exceptional collection of 2,500 plant species, the Arboretum of Versailles-Chèvreloup is an integral part of the royal domain of Versailles. For nearly a hundred years, the Muséum national d’Histoire naturelle has been developing a true living museum of trees here. The park welcomes visitors from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., with the last entry around 4:00 p.m.
The Carriage Gallery, tucked inside the Grand Stables at the Palace of Versailles, is free to visit on weekends, including Sundays that aren’t the first of the month. When you’re in Versailles, it’s a stop that would be a pity to miss, so we take the opportunity to discover these treasures.
So, how about treating yourself to a nice free visit this Sunday, July 5, 2026?
And to go further:
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Are you looking for a free museum in Paris or a free monument in Île-de-France? Free-access venues, free tours on the first Sunday of each month, museums free for under-26s and for teachers: discover the cultural deals you won’t want to miss. [Read more]
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Dates and Opening Time
On July 5, 2026
Location
National Archaeology Museum
Domaine National de Saint-Germain-en-Laye
78100 Saint Germain en Laye
Route planner
Prices
Free
Recommended age
For all
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