May 23, 2026, museums throughout Europe stay open late and offer special workshops, conferences, concerts, and more. In Paris, dozens of museums let visitors in for free, offering an evening of artistic, historical, or cultural discovery.
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Every year, on the third Saturday in May, museums all across Europe keep their doors open late as part of the Night of Museums, also known as the Long Night of Museums or La Nuit des Musées in French. During this exceptional evening, cultural spaces and museums in over 130 cities offer special exhibitions, performances, workshops, and more, as well as (generally) free entry.
As one of the cultural capitals of the world, Paris also participates in this annual event, with museums both large and small staying open until midnight or later to welcome visitors. Held on the third Saturday in May, the 2026 edition of the Nuit des Musées in Paris takes place May 23.
Approximately 30 museums and cultural spaces in Paris participate each year, from the world-famous Conciergerie to the lesser-known Fondation Jérôme Seydoux-Pathé (a great spot for movie lovers). Both private and public museums get involved, with events typically kicking off at 6pm and running till midnight or later.
Tens of thousands of people take part in the Parisian edition each year, so prepare for some lines and full metro cars. To avoid most of the crowds, go early in the evening or near the end of the night and choose the smaller museums such as the Musée National Eugène Delacroix or the Musée de la Musique of the Philharmonie rather than the more popular ones.
The full map and programme for the event can be found on the Official Website of the Nuit des Musées, but here are a few of our highlights:
Musée National Jean-Jacques Henner
This lovely mansion-turned-museum in the 17th Arrondissement is one of the most underrated museums in Paris if you ask us. And for the Nuit des Musées, it’s free to visit from 6pm to 10pm, with a special exhibition on called Salomé. Henner and Moreau Confront the Myth, bringing together works by both painters around this endlessly fascinating biblical figure.
Musée des Arts et Métiers
Set in a former medieval abbey, Paris’s Museum of Arts and Crafts offers three captivating live demonstrations for this year’s Night of Museums: watch the oscillations of the Foucault Pendulum, listen to the sound of a phonograph, and feel the rhythm of a pianola.
There are also family-friendly workshops meant for old and young alike, so bring the kids between 6pm and midnight to enjoy the free activities together.
L’Hôtel de la Marine
This breathtaking 18th-century monument on the Place de la Concorde is never less than spectacular, but for this year’s Nuit des Musées it gets a soundtrack to match.
The Hôtel de la Marine is welcoming students from the Conservatoire Camille Saint-Saëns for a tailor-made programme of chamber music and jazz, performed across the state rooms, the grand courtyard, and the Intendant’s courtyard.
The concert runs from 7:30pm to 10pm, with free entry and no reservation required. This museum is very popular though, so be prepared to wait in line.
Musée Rodin
The Musée Rodin is always worth a visit, but it’s especially magical after dark. For the 2026 edition, the museum is hosting a DJ set on Mexican rhythms, animating both its galleries and gardens on the evening of May 23rd. Make your way here for a fantastic combination of sculpture, open air, and music.
The Polish Library & Its Three Museums
A true hidden gem on the Île Saint-Louis, the Polish Library of Paris opens its doors for free on May 23, giving visitors the chance to discover its three secret museums: the Adam Mickiewicz Museum, the Chopin Salon, and the Bolesław Biegas Museum.
The programme kicks off with a free piano recital by Étienne Rall at 3:30pm, followed at 6pm by a discussion around Hubert Czerepok’s exhibition Le Passé Recomposé. Most Parisians have never heard of this place — just the type of discovery the Nuit des Musées was made for!
Curious to know what else is on the cultural agenda? Here’s what’s happening now in Paris.
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