Curieuse nocturne - La rue barrée: a festive night of dancing at the Musée d'Orsay

You knew it, you waited for it... And if you don't know what we're talking about, that's normal: the Parisian cultural agenda is far too full to keep track of all the events taking place in the capital. But regular visitors to the Musée d'Orsay have made no mistake: the Curieuse nocturne is back!

For each major exhibition, the Parisian museum organizes a special evening, paying tribute to the artists, the world and the period evoked by the exhibition. In this first half of 2025, the Musée d'Orsay is focusing onstreet art, and more specifically on the posters and lithographic works that adorned city walls in the 19th century.

L'art est dans la rue at the Musée d'Orsay, the exhibition on the golden age of posters in Paris - photos
The Musée d'Orsay presents the exhibition "L'art est dans la rue", from March 18 to July 6, 2025, dedicated to the spectacular rise of the illustrated poster in Paris during the second half of the XIXᵉ century. This unprecedented retrospective brings together around 230 works, offering an immersion into the visual world of the city at this pivotal period. Discover poster masters ranging from Bonnard and Toulouse-Lautrec to Mucha and Grasset. [Read more]

On May 22, 2025, we're preparing for aspecial Curieuse nocturne , immersing us in the festive, effervescent atmosphere of the Belle Epoque to the Années Folles.

For the occasion, the Musée d'Orsay has prepared an exceptional, artistic evening... And, of course, with music. Live performances, DJ sets, encounters, participatory workshops: this promises to be a memorable evening. You'll need to arrive early to enjoy all the entertainment, and take time to visit the exhibition. Don't delay in reserving your ticket, as the museum and its events are often fully booked.

• To be read
• This week's top picks in Paris and Île-de-France for May 4–10, 2026.
• Free museums in Paris and free monuments in Île-de-France: the top cultural deals

The program for this Curieuse nocturne around the exhibition L'art est dans la rue :

• Participatory poster workshop with KIBLIND
  7:00 pm - 10:30 pm
  Salle des fêtes
  Are you inspired to create something unique? Take part in the KIBLIND workshop and bring your very own poster to life.
  
  
• Inspiring encounter
  7:30 pm - 8:00 pm
  Auditorium (Level -2)
  An exceptional encounter with Brecht Evens to discover his creative process. He talks to Michael Woolworth about lithography, comics and their artistic collaboration. Followed by a book signing by Brecht Evens in the auditorium foyer from 8pm.
  
• Continuous DJ Set
  7:30 pm - 10:30 pm
  Café Campana (Level 5)
  Behind Café Campana's big clock, extend your evening with a breathtaking view of the Seine. Enjoy a drink while listening to DJ and musician Hen Yanni.
  
  
• Live art performance (with Atelier Woolworth)
  8:30 pm - 10:30 pm
  Fond de nef (Level 0)
  Brecht Evens creates lithographic posters live: watch the poster being created before your very eyes. And discover the little-known art of lithography, appreciated by the greatest painters such as Bonnard, Toulouse-Lautrec and Mucha.
  The Atelier Woolworth program continues on Friday May 23, Saturday May 24 and Sunday May 25, from 2pm to 5pm, with street artists Ruben Carrasco and Rouge Hartley, who will continue creating posters in situ.
  
  
• Street ball with the Octave ensemble and Anatole
  9:20 pm - 10:00 pm
  Nave center (Level 0)
  Join us in the center of the nave for a swinging ball with tunes from the Belle Époque to the wild rhythms of the 1920s. A joyful, participatory moment amidst the nave's sculptures.

And don't forget to check out the other exhibitions currently on show at the Musée d'Orsay.

Christian Krohg: the Musée d'Orsay dedicates an exhibition to the Norwegian painter, our photos
The Musée d'Orsay in Paris honors the works of Christian Krohg. From March 25 to July 27, 2025, the famous Parisian museum is devoting a retrospective to this Norwegian painter, virtually unknown in France, with the exhibition "Christian Krohg. The People of the North". An opportunity to learn more about this Scandinavian artist, particularly gifted at capturing everyday life with realism. [Read more]

Qu'importe le paysage: the Lucas Arruda exhibition at the Musée d'Orsay
The Musée d'Orsay is devoting a monographic exhibition to Brazilian artist Lucas Arruda, from April 8 to July 20, 2025, to coincide with the Brazil-France 2025 Season. A plunge into his imaginary landscapes and his quest for light, in dialogue with the Impressionists. [Read more]