Public holidays are an opportunity to take time out for yourself and for activities you don't normally have time for. For art and culture lovers, this means just one thing: an exciting trip to the museum! But how? So museums and monuments stay open on a public holiday?
Yes indeed! Proof is in the pudding: this Wednesday, November 11, 2026, the day commemorating the signing of the WWI armistice, many museums and monuments are opening their doors to the public. A chance to take in the cultural scene of these art spaces, or to discover the artistic treasures of our region.
Good news: there are plenty of museums and monuments open on November 11 in Paris and the Île-de-France region, ready to welcome you on this public holiday. In fact, there are so many that it’s easier to list those that are closed. So here are the museums and monuments you shouldn’t visit on November 11. All the others will be throwing their doors wide open!
As you might have guessed, most art and cultural venues will stay open this Wednesday, November 11. That means plenty of options for your artistic outings! The choices might even be a bit overwhelming... So here is a handpicked selection of exhibitions and places to discover on this public holiday.
Exhibition Viva la Bride!: Dresses, Traditions and Contemporary Art at the Arab World Institute
The Arab World Institute invites us to a celebration, and not just any celebration... Step into the Maghreb’s wedding universe with a vibrant exhibition on view from September 29, 2026 to February 28, 2027. [Read more]
Remember Me: more than 700 photographic masterpieces from the Pinault Collection on display at the Bourse de Commerce
La Bourse de Commerce presents the photographic masterpieces from the Pinault Collection, on view from October 7, 2026 to January 18, 2027. For a little over three months, come and explore roughly 700 works by more than 70 artists, including Irving Penn, Raymond Depardon, Cindy Sherman, Annie Leibovitz, Man Ray, Erwin Blumenfeld, as well as Henri Cartier-Bresson and Richard Avedon. [Read more]
The Call of the Deep: embark on an exploration with the National Maritime Museum's exhibition
Beliefs, fantastical tales, or scientific inquiries—the abyss has spoken of itself for centuries. From October 14, 2026 to April 4, 2027, the National Maritime Museum invites us on a brief journey into the heart of these depths that fascinate humanity... [Read more]
Le Large on Île Seguin: Moteur Imaginaire opens to the public for free this weekend.
Le Large, the new contemporary art center on Île Seguin in Boulogne-Billancourt, opens its doors for free on October 17 and 18, 2026, with pre-registration, hosting Moteur Imaginaire, an exhibition where Renault’s collection intersects with today’s artists until March 7, 2027. We went to check out the venue and here’s everything you need to know. [Read more]
Kurt Schwitters, The Chaos World: Our Photos from the Picasso Museum's Event Retrospective
Kurt Schwitters. The Chaos-World. 1918–1948 lands at the Musée national Picasso-Paris from October 6, 2026 to February 7, 2027: more than 300 paintings, sculptures and collages trace the inventive arc of this major 20th‑century artist. A retrospective that shows how, from Merz to architectural installations, Schwitters transformed everyday materials into works that are both visually striking and sonically immersive. [Read more]
Nicolas Flamel, the Paper Alchemist: the figure comes to light in the Cluny Museum's exhibition
Embark on a journey to meet a fascinating figure from history, where legend and reality meet... The Musée de Cluny invites you to discover Nicolas Flamel in an exhibition that sets the record straight, from October 13, 2026 to January 24, 2027. [Read more]
Rafael Pavarotti, Photographer: the fashion photography exhibition at the Musée des Arts Décoratifs — our photos
Fashion photography takes over the Musée des Arts Décoratifs with an exhibition devoted to Rafael Pavarotti. From October 2, 2026, to May 2, 2027, more than 200 color prints trace the Brazilian photographer's career for the first time in France and engage with the museum's photography collections. [Read more]
Magic at the Cité des sciences: the exhibition that explains why we fall for it — our photos
Mentalism, teleportation, levitation… With Magic, the City of Science and Industry puts our senses to the test from October 13, 2026 to August 1, 2027 in Paris. From age 9, this exhibition blends artistic installations with interactive experiments to reveal how illusionists misdirect our attention and why we fall for the tricks. [Read more]
Gustave Fayet at the Louis Vuitton Foundation: Van Gogh, Gauguin and Redon in a landmark exhibition
The Louis Vuitton Foundation is dedicating a major, blockbuster exhibition to Gustave Fayet, a visionary collector and multi-disciplinary creator, from October 9, 2026, to March 8, 2027. [Read more]
Louise Bourgeois Exhibition at the BnF: Drawings, Engravings and Nerves Laid Bare
The BnF Richelieu in Paris presents the exhibition "Louise Bourgeois. Extreme Tension," devoted to the drawings and prints by the Franco-American artist, from October 20, 2026 to February 21, 2027. A landmark gathering of the BnF’s holdings with those of the Centre Pompidou. [Read more]
By the way, do you know why November 11 is a public holiday in France?
Why is November 11 a public holiday in France? History and origins
Every year in France, there are countless tributes and commemorations on the occasion of November 11th. But do you know why November 11th is such a historic date in France? And why is it a national holiday in France? We tell you. [Read more]
Dates and Opening Time
On November 11, 2026
Why is November 11 a public holiday in France? History and origins
