5 museum nights to try in Paris this summer

When temperatures rise and the city calms down, Parisian museums extend their magic until nightfall. Here are 5 addresses to explore by night, for a different kind of cultural and sensory experience.

The Louvre: classic but never boring

Every Friday until 9:45pm, the Louvre opens its doors to those who want to stroll away from the crowds. From the Venus de Milo to the Mona Lisa, the tour takes on a new intensity as night falls.

The galleries seem more intimate, almost silent. A great way to (re)discover the great classics in an almost mystical atmosphere. Don’t forget to book online: night-time viewing is very popular, especially in summer.

📍Musée du Louvre, 75001 Paris

Musée d’Orsay: Impressionism under the stars

Every Thursday until 9:45pm, the Musée d’Orsay extends its opening hours. Works by Monet, Van Gogh and Degas gain in depth under the subdued lighting.

Less crowded, the nocturne also gives access to the museum’s terrace, with a sublime view of the Seine at sunset. Don’t miss the temporary exhibitions, which are often extended on these cultural evenings.

📍Musée d’Orsay, Esplanade Valéry Giscard d’Estaing, 75007 Paris

The Musée Picasso: art and silence in the Marais

Every Friday until 9pm, the Musée Picasso Paris welcomes visitors to the elegant Hôtel Salé in the heart of the Marais district. Picasso’s major works take on a different resonance in the evening, in a hushed atmosphere.

It’s also an opportunity to take advantage of a quieter museum, away from the hustle and bustle of the tourist trade, to rediscover the Spanish master’s prolific oeuvre, from his earliest works to his most radical periods.

📍Musée National Picasso-Paris, 5 Rue de Thorigny, 75003 Paris

The Quai Branly Museum: a nocturnal immersion in civilizations

Every Thursday until 10pm, the Musée du Quai Branly – Jacques Chirac transports you to the four corners of the world. African masks, Asian textiles, sculptures from Oceania: each piece becomes more fascinating in the evening light.

The beautifully lit garden is also well worth a visit. A quiet, green interlude at the foot of the Eiffel Tower, ideal for those noisy summer evenings.

📍Musée du quai Branly – Jacques Chirac, 37 Quai Jacques Chirac, 75007 Paris

La Bourse de Commerce – Pinault Collection: contemporary art in the setting of the past

On Fridays until 9pm, the Bourse de Commerce welcomes you to its cutting-edge exhibitions and monumental installations. At the crossroads of heritage and contemporary creation, this venue becomes even more powerful at night.

The central patio, bathed in soft light, prolongs the visit in an almost theatrical atmosphere. A confidential address for discerning art lovers.

📍Bourse de Commerce – Pinault Collection, 2 Rue de Viarmes, 75001 Paris

Art never sleeps in Paris

This summer, avoid the heatwave and let yourself be tempted by museum evenings where Paris reveals a different face. Quiet, beautiful, cool… Museum evenings are the perfect alternative to crowded terraces, especially if you’re looking to combine culture and serenity.

Discover more culture and lifestyle ideas on parisselectbook.com.