Châteaux and museums offering free admission on the first Sunday of the month have a public holiday to contend with this year. On Sunday, November 1, 2026, All Saints’ Day, several sites in Seine-et-Marne (77) are welcoming visitors free of charge. Since a public holiday can change everything, we checked that each venue would be open before telling you about them.
Good news: most are taking part. The Château de Fontainebleau is opening its State Apartments, and the Château de Champs-sur-Marne is once again offering free admission this winter, through March. In Meaux, the Museum of the Great War and the Bossuet Museum are joining in too. A great way to round off the Toussaint school holidays with a cultural outing, taking in royal residences and major chapters of history.
Two sites from our usual selection are missing. The Nemours Castle Museum remains closed until November 7, and the Melun Museum of Art and History, housed in the Hôtel de la Vicomté, is closed on public holidays. We’ll save them for the first Sunday in December. For the rest, the opening hours listed below are those given by the official websites and tourist offices, but it’s still a good idea to check before setting off during the holiday period.
We’re heading to Fontainebleau to discover one of France’s most prestigious royal residences. This historic monument offers free admission to its State Apartments and the Napoleon I Museum on the first Sunday of every month, except in July and August. And unlike some other monuments, it remains open on November 1.
On site, visitors can admire the François I Gallery and its Renaissance frescoes, Napoleon I’s richly furnished apartments, and the ballroom with its gilded decor. This château, home to sovereigns for eight centuries, takes us on a journey from François I to Napoleon III. In November, the park takes on its autumn colors, providing a lovely extension to the visit.
The château is open from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. this season, with last admission 45 minutes before closing. The estate can be reached by train from Gare de Lyon; get off at Fontainebleau-Avon, then take bus line 1 to the château.
This is the new offering for November. The Château de Champs-sur-Marne opens its doors for free on the first Sunday of each month, from November 1 to March 31. All Saints’ Day Sunday therefore marks the start of the season.
Built in the early 18th century for a financier to Louis XIV, this country house welcomed the Marquise de Pompadour. Visitors can explore Rococo salons, a Chinese salon and period furniture bearing the makers’ stamps. The 85-hectare park, designated a Remarkable Garden, remains open to the public free of charge all year round and slopes down in terraces to the Marne.
The château, managed by the Centre des monuments nationaux, is open from 10 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. and then from 1:30 p.m. to 5 p.m. It can be reached by taking the RER A to Noisiel station, then bus 220.
In Meaux, the Museum of the Great War immerses us in the history of the First World War with one of Europe’s largest collections on the 1914–18 conflict. It remains open on All Saints’ Day, and admission is free for everyone on the first Sunday of the month.
With nearly 70,000 objects and documents, it retraces the daily lives of soldiers and civilians from 1914 to 1918. Visitors will encounter uniforms from all nations, poignant personal belongings, a Marne taxi and a Renault FT17 tank. An outdoor trench reconstruction lets visitors walk through the communication trenches to better understand the lives of the Poilus.
Located on the very site of the First Battle of the Marne, this memorial site takes on special significance as November 11 approaches. From November to March, the museum closes at 5 p.m., with last admission at 4:30 p.m. It can be reached by train from Gare de l'Est.
Still in Meaux, the Bossuet Museum is well worth a visit. Housed in the former episcopal palace, built from the 12th century onward, it displays collections of art and local history in a remarkable architectural setting. Admission is free for everyone on the first Sunday of the month, and it remains open for All Saints’ Day.
With more than 5,500 objects and works by Millet, Gérôme and Decamps, the museum takes us on a journey through the centuries. Visitors can also explore Bishop Bossuet’s study and its famous balustrade. The neighboring Bossuet Garden offers a lovely autumn break at the foot of the ramparts.
Please note the change in opening hours: from November 1, the museum will open only in the afternoon on Sundays, from 2 to 5 p.m. For more information, visit the Musée Bossuet website.
This program is for families looking to end the Toussaint break on a cultural note, history buffs and anyone in the mood to get out of Paris for some fresh air. Between Fontainebleau, Champs-sur-Marne and Meaux, you can even fit in two visits in one day if you set off early.
A quick tip: the first free Sundays draw crowds, especially on a public holiday. It’s best to go at opening time or in the middle of the afternoon. And if you’re staying in the capital, our selection of museums and monuments open this November 1 and our ideas for All Saints’ Day outings have you covered.
So, how about enjoying a great free visit in Seine-et-Marne this Sunday, November 1, 2026?
This page may contain AI-assisted elements, more information here.
Dates and Opening Time
On November 1, 2026
Location
Department of Seine et Marne
seine et marne
Route planner
Prices
Free
Recommended age
For all
