We're smart enough to take advantage of the free monuments and museums on the first Sunday of the month. While Paris sees the opening of the Musée du Quai Branly, the Musée d'Orsay, the Arc de Triomphe and the Hôtel de la Marine, the Yvelines is not to be outdone, with many treasures waiting to be discovered.
It has to be said that the département has plenty to attract the crowds, if only for the Château de Versailles, which enchants us on every visit when the season is right (October to March). But don't forget that the 78 also abounds in other historic sites and sublime museums to discover. Some are only open free of charge on the first Sunday of the month at certain times of the year. National monuments, for example, are free on the 1st Sunday of the month only from January to March and November to December.
Also, between sites that are closed for construction or renovations and those that are never free, we'll point you toward some great deals for this Sunday, December 7, 2025.
The Palace of Versailles, as well as the Trianon estate and the Queen's Hamlet, are free for everyone on the first Sunday of every month from November to March. Whether you live in the Paris region or are just visiting, now is the time to discover the most beautiful palace in France. Explore the famous Hall of Mirrors and the royal apartments. Enjoy exploring the Coronation Room and the Gallery of Battles, then take a lovely stroll through the Trianon, following in the footsteps of Marie Antoinette and her estate. Please note that during this period, access to the Park of Versailles, the gardens, the French gardens, and their ponds is also free. To visit the palace and its grounds for free, remember to book your free tickets by choosing your time slot.
From November to March inclusive, the Domaine national de Rambouillet is open to visitors free of charge on the 1st Sunday of the month. We're off to discover this place steeped in history, where you can learn more about Marie-Antoinette and the Princess of Lamballe. A princely, royal, imperial and then presidential residence, the Château de Rambouillet and its grounds are full of treasures. Don't miss the Laiterie de la Reine, the Chaumière aux coquillages and the famous Bergerie nationale.
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 famous for its typical 17th-century architecture. This masterpiece was designed by François Mansart for the Longueil family. We are, of course, talking about the Château de Maisons, a richly decorated monument surrounded by a large park covering more than 300 hectares. Located between the Seine and the forest of Saint-Germain-en-Laye, this little heritage treasure offers a magnificent setting for walks and discoveries.
We're off to Saint-Germain-en-Laye to discover the Musée d'Archéologie National in the heart of its historic château. This museum boasts some of the world's richest archaeological collections, tracing human life and "inventions" from the earliest times to the Merovingian era. Various temporary exhibitions enable us to learn more about our ancestors, in a fun and educational way.
The estate, the ruins of the abbey of Port-Royal des Champs and the national estate of the Granges de Port-Royal together form the national estate of Port Royal des Champs. Discover the ruins of the abbey destroyed by order of Louis XIV and the museum housed in the "Petites Ecoles" building. On the 1ᵉʳ Sunday of each month, admission to the park is free.
The Musée du Jouet, inaugurated in September 1976, is housed in the heart of the porterie of the Prieuré royal Saint-Louis. The museum houses a vast collection of nearly 14,000 objects, including 600 toys and games, offering a fascinating journey through the world of toys, from Antiquity to the present day. Dolls, cuddly toys, miniature vehicles and racetracks, board games and construction sets, scientific games, skipping ropes and figurines... Fashions come and go, technologies evolve, but children's passions remain intact. To discover the games of yesterday and today, why not take advantage of free admission every first Sunday of the month?
The Musée de l'Hôtel-Dieu houses a collection spanning several centuries of artistic creation on three levels. Located in Mantes la Jolie, just a stone's throw from the Collégiale Notre-Dame, the Musée de l'Hôtel-Dieu gives visitors the chance to discover the town's medieval past, as well as the works of artist Maximilien Luce. The museum is open free of charge on the first Sunday of every month.
You may not have known it, but theArboretum de Chevreloup is also open to visitors free of charge on the first Sunday of the month. The 200-hectare Arboretum de Versailles-Chèvreloup, a vast natural and landscaped area housing an exceptional collection of 2,500 plant species, is an integral part of the royal estate of Versailles. For almost a century, the Muséum national d'Histoire naturelle has been developing a veritable living museum of trees. The park is open to visitors from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., with the last entrance around 4 p.m.
The Galerie des Carrosses, nestled in the Grande Écurie at the Château de Versailles, is open free of charge every weekend, even outside the 1ᵉʳ Sundays of the month. When visiting Versailles, it's a discovery we'd be wrong not to make. So we take the opportunity to discover these treasures.
So, how about a wonderful free visit this Sunday, November 2, 2025?
And to go further:
Free museums and monuments on Sundays: great deals for December 7 in Paris and Île-de-France
Which free museum can you visit in Paris or Île-de-France on the first Sunday of the month, December 7, 2025? We are delighted to resume our little ritual at the beginning of each month: discovering a museum or monument without spending a penny! Don't miss out on this Sunday's great deals... [Read more]
The castles of Île-de-France open their doors free of charge on the first Sunday of every month. This is a great opportunity to discover our regional heritage without spending a penny this Sunday, December 7, 2025. [Read more]
Looking for a free museum in Paris? The Musée des Beaux-Arts, the Musée d'Art Moderne, the Musée de l'Aviation, the Musée des Arts Asiatiques - over 20 museums are free all year round, and we've got some great ideas for getting out and learning something new. [Read more]
Looking for great ideas for things to do in the 78 this weekend, December 6 and 7, 2025? Here are 10 great ideas for wonderful discoveries, smart outings without necessarily spending a lot, walks, and must-see events during these days off in the Yvelines. [Read more]
Want to get to know Paris Region better? This time, we're taking you to the Yvelines to discover its heritage, places to visit, must-do activities and the best deals of the moment. From castles to walks and good addresses, here's what's in store for you in the 78 département. [Read more]
Dates and Opening Time
On December 7, 2025
Location
National Archaeology Museum
Domaine National de Saint-Germain-en-Laye
78100 Saint Germain en Laye
Prices
Free
Recommended age
For all
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