The month of May is definitely our favorite: it’s the third public holiday this month! A lucky few will spend less time at the office and more time in the museums. This Thursday, May 14, 2026 is the Ascension Thursday. In other words: it’s a holiday! Some people even get an extra day off: if you take the bridge this Friday, you’ll enjoy a long weekend, perfect for a bit of fun and a well-deserved break.
With all these extra days off, there’s plenty of time to get out and discover the latest events. And scanning the museum lineups in Paris and Île-de-France, we already know how we’ll spend our free time during this Ascension weekend!
Assuming, of course, that museums are open on this public holiday. The good news is that almost all art and culture venues remain open to the public on May 14, 2026. The real question is where you won’t be able to go. To that end, let’s take a look at the list of cultural venues that close on this Ascension Day holiday.
Museums and monuments closed this Thursday, May 14, 2026, Ascension Day:
Center Pompidou: prices, opening hours, access... All you need to know about the Musée d'Art Moderne
The Centre Pompidou, a museum of modern and contemporary art in the heart of Paris, awaits you every day (except Tuesdays) for a plunge into art in all its forms. Explore its history and exhibitions, and immerse yourself in the artistic universe of one of the world's most visited museums! [Read more]
The Nissim de Camondo Museum is currently closed for renovations, with plans to reopen in early 2027.
The Nissim de Camondo Museum is getting a makeover! From August 4, 2024, until early 2027, the Parisian museum will be closed for renovations. [Read more]
La Monnaie de Paris: an unusual cultural and historical institution in Paris
Do you know how coins are made in France? Come and find out by visiting the Monnaie de Paris, the institution that teaches us more about the history of silver and the minting of medals, in a place steeped in history. [Read more]
The Musée de la Chasse et de la Nature in Paris: an exploration of the human-animal relationship
Nestled in the Marais district of Paris, the Musée de la Chasse et de la Nature offers a unique insight into hunting, nature and the complex relationship between man and animal. This unusual museum invites visitors to discover an exceptional collection, while encouraging reflection on our relationship with flora and fauna. [Read more]
The Musée de la Carte à jouer, a unique collection dedicated to our card games, in Issy (92).
Just south of Paris, in Issy-des-Moulineaux (92), you'll find a museum that's unique in France: the Musée de la Carte à jouer, a cultural venue devoted entirely to card games, from the first models to appear in the 15th century, right up to the present day. [Read more]
Great news, then: this Thursday, and over the long weekend, almost all museums and monuments are open! So where to go, what to do? It’s up to you: a wealth of exhibitions and outings are on offer. Need a hand choosing? Take a look at our selection.
The May 2027 exhibitions: the month's artistic program in Paris and Île-de-France
What’s worth seeing in May 2027 in Paris and the Île-de-France region? The lineup of standout exhibitions is taking shape, promising fresh discoveries across the capital’s museums and monuments. Pick your next cultural outing of the month. [Read more]
Claude Monet in Paris: Where to Discover the Works of the Renowned Impressionist Painter in the Capital?
He is undoubtedly one of France’s most beloved painters: Claude Monet left behind a stunning collection of masterpieces, many of which you can admire in the city’s top museums. Follow the guide! [Read more]
AURA INVALIDES, the must-see sound and light show in Paris
Looking for a unique nocturnal experience in Paris? Ready to be amazed and embark on a timeless journey to a legendary heritage site? Come and discover AURA INVALIDES, a sound and light show at the iconic Dôme des Invalides as night falls. A magical moment in the heart of the Dome, sure to delight young and old alike. [Read more]
ZEUS, the iconic metal horse from the Olympics, on display for free at the Museum of Arts and Crafts in Paris
Zeus, the mechanical horse from the Olympic Games that captured everyone's hearts, has now arrived at the Musée des Arts et Métiers in Paris. The towering steel colossus is open to the public free of charge from December 17, 2025, to January 10, 2027. [Read more]
Lee Miller : a major exhibition devoted to the renowned photographer at the Museum of Modern Art
From April 10 to August 2, 2026, the Paris Musée d'Art Moderne will devote a major retrospective to photographer Lee Miller. Spanning nearly 250 vintage and contemporary prints, the exhibition aims to illuminate the breadth of the American artist's work, from her fashion shots to portraits and landscapes, and to her war photojournalism. [Read more]
Grand Palais: opening hours, prices... everything you need to know about this architectural gem on the Champs-Elysées
Immerse yourself in the fascinating world of the Grand Palais, an architectural gem in the heart of Paris. Discover its captivating history since the 1900 Universal Exhibition and explore its architecture, which blends classicism and Art Nouveau. With over 2 million visitors a year, this iconic building is a landmark of French art and culture. Opening hours, prices, practical information... we've got it all! [Read more]
Annette Messager at the Museum of Hunting and Nature: An Exhibition Exploring the Relationship Between Animals and Humans
The Museum of Hunting and Nature in Paris is presenting a groundbreaking exhibition by artist Annette Messager, focused on animal imagery and its artistic reimagining. Running from April 14 to September 20, 2026, the show is titled "A Swallow Doesn't Make Spring." It features a mix of installations, hybrid artworks, and iconic pieces that engage in a compelling dialogue with the museum's existing collections. [Read more]
Renoir and Love: A Landmark Retrospective at the Musée d'Orsay in Paris – Reviews and Photos
When love becomes light, Renoir turns it into art. With the exhibition "Renoir et l'amour" (March 17 - July 19, 2026), the Musée d'Orsay brings together his major masterpieces for a retrospective as modern as it is tender, in collaboration with the National Gallery in London and the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston. [Read more]
The little-known Musée Jacquemart-André and its fine art collection in Paris
The Musée Jacquemart-André is a beautiful, little-known museum in Paris. It holds many treasures, including Rembrandt's Pilgrims to Emmaus, Sandro Botticelli's Virgin and Child and Donatello's Martyrdom of Saint Sebastian, all collected by Nélie Jacquemart and her husband Edouard André in the 19th century. [Read more]
Unicorns! : The Cluny Museum in Paris showcases an exhibition delving into the myth of the legendary creature
In Paris, the Musée de Cluny – National Museum of the Middle Ages – is showcasing the exhibition Unicorn!, dedicated to the legendary creature that has captivated the medieval imagination and lore. Running from March 10 to July 12, 2026, this major exhibition brings together nearly a hundred pieces from around the world to explore the symbolism, legends, and centuries-old fascination with the unicorn—spanning medieval art, mythology, and spirituality. [Read more]
Fashion in all its majesty: the Haute Couture exhibition at the Musée des Arts Décoratifs unfolds — our photos
The Decorative Arts Museum hosts Fashion in Majesty: Haute Couture and Tradition at the Thai court from May 13 to November 1, 2026. Through more than a hundred outfits, accessories, and textile pieces drawn from the royal family's collections, the exhibition shows how Queen Sirikit modernized Thai ceremonial dress while preserving its traditional codes, notably through her collaboration with Pierre Balmain and Maison Lesage. [Read more]
LV Dream by Louis Vuitton: free exhibition, boutique, café and chocolate shop
The famous Maison Louis Vuitton opens LV DREAM, a free exhibition and gift store that also features a café and a chocolate shop in collaboration with Chef Pâtissier Maxime Frédéric of Cheval Blanc Paris. While the exhibition is by reservation only, the boutique and café are open to the public. [Read more]
Admire them all: Pokémon take center stage in a playful and nostalgic exhibition at the Musée en Herbe
The Musée en Herbe marks Pokémon’s 30th anniversary with an exhibition that is as artistic as it is playful, on view from April 16 to September 6, 2026. [Read more]
Niki de Saint Phalle: where can you see the famous artist's works in Paris?
Niki de Saint Phalle is one of the world's best-known modern artists. Her art is still exhibited and admired, more than 20 years after her death. Here's where to see Niki de Saint Phalle's work in Paris. [Read more]
Back to school: educational museums to do with children in Paris
It's back to school for the kids. Would you like to accompany your little ones back to school in a fun way? If so, here's our selection of educational museums in Paris, where you can have fun learning lots of things, even with children! [Read more]
Flops?! Dare to fail, dare to innovate: explore the after-hours exhibition before it ends at the Musée des Arts et Métiers.
The Museum of Arts and Crafts is exploring failure and its essential role in invention, through the quirky exhibition "Flops. Dare, Fail, Innovate," running from October 14, 2025, to May 17, 2026. Evening openings are planned from May 5 to May 16, 2026. [Read more]
Castles to Explore in Paris and Île-de-France: The Hidden Treasures of the Francilien Heritage
In the Paris region too, stunning castles await exploration! From regal royal residences and historic estates to centuries-old ruins, embark on a journey to uncover these treasures of heritage right in Paris and across Île-de-France! [Read more]
In Val-d'Oise, this estate hides two castles and free activities year-round.
The Villarceaux estate, open to the public free of charge in Chaussy, Val d'Oise (95), houses two classified châteaux set in a 70-hectare park and offers, through November 2026, a program of free activities: concerts, night-time strolls, performances and nature. We went to explore the site and here’s everything. [Read more]
Château de la Madeleine in Chevreuse, a Medieval Treasure in Ile-de-France
Available all year round, the Château de la Madeleine in Chevreuse, a medieval jewel in the Ile-de-France region, invites you to immerse yourself in history. [Read more]
The Château de Dourdan, an ancient fortified castle to discover in Essonne (91)
In the Essonne department, near Dourdan, you'll find a 13th-century fortified castle. Although you can't visit the interior, you can visit the ramparts on a walking tour! [Read more]
Château d'Asnières-sur-Seine, an exceptional, little-known heritage site on the outskirts of Paris
If you don't live in Asnières-sur-Seine, you may be unaware of the existence of its château. Completely renovated during two restoration campaigns carried out by the town council in recent years, the site is now open to the public free of charge on certain Sundays of the year. [Read more]
Yvelines: the little-known château that inspired Ronsard and Cézanne is open to visitors!
Nestled on the banks of the Seine in Médan, Yvelines, the Château de Médan is a former hunting lodge listed as a Historic Monument, a site whose history weaves together poetry, painting and royal intrigues. The château is open to visitors once a month, for group bookings, or on special occasions such as Open Gardens or Heritage Days—we’ve got the full details. [Read more]
Here's something to keep you occupied over the Ascension weekend. So, where should we start?
Dates and Opening Time
On May 14, 2026
