The finances don’t add up: in order to ease its budget and restore its building, the Palais de Tokyo will be required to close its doors in the near future to carry out major renovations. The specific details of this closure are not yet finalized, but it’s likely that the museum plans to start these renovations around 2027.
For the 1937Exposition Internationale, a huge Art Deco building was erected between Avenue du Président Wilson and Avenue de New York (formerly known as the "Quai de Tokio"), to house two museums of modern art. Nearly a century later, the building is beginning to show its age. The Palais de Tokyo, housed in the building's west wing, has been suffering from a number of problems for several years now.
Since 2018, significant waterproofing issues have been reported and are actively monitored. The problems involve the roof, skylights, large glass windows, and marble panels, allowing water to seep into the museum and cause considerable damage. A report published in December 2022 by the Cour des Comptes also highlights “an assessment of the building's exterior facades, interior stone cladding, a structural analysis of the floors, and an electrical audit, among others. These evaluations reveal repeated flaws—whether in design, maintenance, or renovation—that compromise the site's stability or put it at risk due to non-compliance with current standards.
A complete restoration of the museum is therefore called for. But the work is not trivial, and requires complex organization. " The total cost of the work, covering renovation and insulation (waterproofing, replacement of the original zinc roofs, for example) and bringing the building up to safety standards, including electrical, without any new developments for programmatic purposes, is estimated at a minimum of 15 million euros ", adds the Cour des Comptes.
In 2021, as recalled by the Journal des Arts, the operator of cultural heritage and real estate projects (Oppic) recommended that the Centre d'Art Moderne carry out a series of works over a ten-year period, so that the museum could continue to welcome visitors. However, the cost of the multiple restorations carried out over the years, coupled with the special insurance the museum must take out to protect the works, are no longer viable.
To cut costs, the Palais de Tokyo is considering closing its doors entirely for a limited period. By devoting itself solely to the work, the museum should be able to speed up the restoration process, and thus save money, despite the absence of visitors. Marianne Berger, Deputy Director General of the Palais de Tokyo, is counting on a "short closure of no more than one year", according to Le Monde.
However, this plan is expected to be revised upwards. An article published on October 20, 2025, by the Journal des Arts highlights key details from the museum’s 2026 budget proposal. According to these sources, the Palais de Tokyo will likely need to close its doors for at least 18 months. Additionally, the estimated costs for renovations have also been increased: the budget draft cites almost 46 million euros for the project. If the budget is approved, work could begin in the spring of 2027.
The Palais de Tokyo has not yet released any official details about its renovation schedule. In the meantime, the contemporary art center continues its programming, with a series of exhibitions already slated for spring 2026.
Palais de Tokyo: opening hours, prices, reservations... All you need to know about the Paris museum
Immerse yourself in the fascinating world of the Palais de Tokyo, a jewel of contemporary art located in the heart of Paris. Opening times, prices, reservations, nearby transport... Everything you need to know before your visit! [Read more]
The Palais de Tokyo in Paris is presenting an exhibition devoted to British artist Jesse Darling, winner of the 2023 Turner Prize, titled The Ambassadors, on view from April 3 to September 13, 2026. Through large installations crafted from salvaged materials and everyday objects, the artist examines the fragility of the frameworks, reference points, and systems that organize our lives. [Read more]
The Palais de Tokyo, in Paris, presents the first retrospective in France of British artist Cathy de Monchaux, titled "Studio, Wounds and Battles. Desire is the Reiteration of Hope", running from 3 April to 13 September 2026. The exhibition brings together nearly fifty works and revisits four decades of creation, exploring the body, materials and intimate narratives. [Read more]
The Palais de Tokyo in Paris presents an exhibition by Benoît Piéron, titled Vernis à Ombres, running from April 3 to September 13, 2026. Through sculptures and installations inspired by the hospital world, the artist explores care, waiting, and fragility, blending medical forms, sensory experiences, and reflections on vulnerability. [Read more]
The Palais de Tokyo in Paris presents a monographic exhibition by Pauline Curnier Jardin from April 3 to September 13, 2026. Through installations, films, and performances, the French artist explores rituals, gender, and representations of the body in a sensory journey that brings together major works and recent creations, in collaboration with Madrid’s Museo Reina Sofía. [Read more]
The Palais de Tokyo in Paris presents a group exhibition centered on Cheryl Marie Wade’s poems, running from April 3 to September 13, 2026. A tribute to a key figure of Berkeley’s crip scene, the show unites archives, performances, and installations to give voice to a form of poetry that is at once political and militant, deeply tied to the history of disability. [Read more]
The Palais de Tokyo in Paris presents We’re Here – This is where we are, an exhibition by Joseph Grigely to be unveiled from April 3 to September 13, 2026. A deaf artist, Joseph Grigely stages in a museum space that is notoriously hard to access to question architectural accessibility in cultural institutions. Through visual works and a risograph publication, he highlights how spaces are designed and how they are actually traversed by visitors. [Read more]
The Night of Museums 2026 takes place on Saturday, May 23, 2026 across France. In Paris, there are plenty of activities to enjoy, notably at the Palais de Tokyo, which has some exciting surprises in store for us... And what if we take a look at the program? [Read more]
Palais de Tokyo: opening hours, prices, reservations... All you need to know about the Paris museum
Jesse Darling at the Palais de Tokyo: an exhibition balancing memory and forgotten narratives — our photos
Cathy de Monchaux at the Palais de Tokyo: the retrospective to see in Paris — our photos
Benoît Piéron at the Palais de Tokyo: an exhibition about care and vulnerability — our photos
Pauline Curnier Jardin at the Palais de Tokyo: an exhibition about myths and bodies — our photos
At the Palais de Tokyo, Cheryl Marie Wade explores crip culture and engaged poetry — our photos
Joseph Grigely at the Palais de Tokyo: an exhibition on cultural accessibility — our photos
A special late-night event at the Palais de Tokyo in Paris for Museum Night 2026: the program
