Once a year, on a Saturday in mid-May, the European Night of Museums allows visitors to explore many Paris museums for free late into the evening, often with special activities, guided tours, or unique lighting for the occasion. The event, held simultaneously in several European countries, includes in Paris both major national institutions and smaller, usually quieter museums. Free admission and extended hours make it a particularly popular evening among Parisians, who often use the occasion to discover a museum they might not otherwise have visited, or to see a permanent collection from a different angle.
The Louvre Pyramid lit up at night
The Louvre usually takes part in the event with a late-night opening, one of the most sought-after highlights of the evening given the museum's popularity.
The Centre Pompidou, an unmistakable shape on the Paris skyline
Recognizable from afar by its colorful pipework structure, the Centre Pompidou is one of the institutions that regularly takes part in the event, offering free access to its collections in the evening.
Tips
The most popular museums often have lines from early evening onward; it's better to prioritize one or two venues rather than trying to visit several in the same night. The final list of participating museums and their exact hours is published by each institution in the weeks before the event; it's best to check directly on their website before heading out.
