This Saturday, May 23, 7 Parisian museums will take you on a free trip to Korea for the evening.

Museum Night returns this Saturday, May 23, 2026, for its 22nd edition. This year, Parisian museums are putting Korea in the spotlight with a brand new program. Seven free events await you for a cultural voyage without leaving the capital.

A Korean edition

This exceptional evening coincides with the 140th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Korea and France. For the occasion, the Korean Cultural Centre is joining forces with Paris Musées and the Musée national des arts asiatiques-Guimet. Together, they offer a rich program combining dance, music and ancestral traditions.

The concept remains the same: free access to museums foran evening. What sets this edition apart, however, is its Asian thread. The Land of the Morning Calm will be present in seven Parisian institutions, from Art Moderne to the Musée de la Vie Romantique.

Each venue will welcome Korean artists to share their culture. Some performances revisit French works, while others draw on shamanic rituals. This diversity promises an evening rich in emotion and surprises.

Matisse’s Dance reinterpreted at MAM

At the Musée d’Art Moderne in Paris, choreographer Eun-Me Ahn offers a reinterpretation of Matisse’s La Danse. This dialogue between Korean creation and French modern art transforms the museum into a living space. Spectators are swept up in an artistic whirlwind between heritage and modernity.

“A unique dialogue between contemporary Korean art and French modern art.

This performance, entitled Nuit Blanche des Fauves – Nuit de Baekman, will take place from 7:30pm to 10:30pm. The address: 11, avenue du Président-Wilson in the 16th arrondissement. A sensory experience not to be missed by lovers of art and dance.

Classical music and Korean traditions

The Musée Cognacq-Jay welcomes the Quatuor Harmonie to its outdoor courtyard. Artists Eunjoo Lee, Eun-Hee Joe, Yoori Lee and Jonathan Nazet will perform Joseph Haydn’s String Quartet op. 1 nᵒ 1. They will also play Love Letters (2018) by Korean composer Jaehyuck Choi. Three performances are scheduled at 7pm, 8pm and 9pm at 8, rue Elzévir in the 3rd arrondissement.

• Musée d’Art Moderne de Paris: contemporary dance from 7:30 pm to 10:30 pm
• Musée Cognacq-Jay: string quartet at 7, 8 and 9 p.m.
• Maison Victor Hugo: pansori at 7:30, 8:30 and 9:30 p.m.
• Musée Bourdelle: dance and geomungo performance at 6, 7, 8 and 9 p.m.
• Musée Guimet: shamanic rituals at 7, 8 and 9 p.m.

At Maison Victor Hugo, the Ip Koa Son collective revisits Les Misérables using pansori, the Korean art of sung storytelling. These young singers and percussionists create a bridge between two cultures. Rendezvous at 6, place des Vosges in the 4th district at 7:30pm, 8:30pm and 9:30pm.

The newly renovated Musée de la Vie Romantique welcomes the Duo Voco-Cello. Hwanyoo Lee (soprano) and Cyrille Tricoire de Haro (cello) offer a program ranging from Purcell to Grieg. They also perform Korean works by Hak-jun Yoon and Dong-jin Kim. The former home of the painter Ary Scheffer is located at 16, rue Chaptal in the 9th arrondissement.

Spirituality and traditional arts at the Musée Guimet

Compagnie Baru takes over the Musée national des arts asiatiques-Guimet this Museum Night. The troupe’s name evokes the bowls of Buddhist monks. Their performances combine traditional song and dance, inspired by Korean shamanism and Buddhism.

Between Yeongsanjae, Jindo Ssitgimgut and Byeolsingut, audiences will experience a moment of intense spirituality. Here, ancestral rituals are used to heal the pains of the world. Performances at 7, 8 and 9pm at 6, place d’Iéna in the 16th arrondissement.

At the Musée Bourdelle, dancer Jae-Hyun An and musician E’Joung-Ju, who plays the geomungo (ancestral Korean zither), offer a contemplative performance. The sculptor’s breathing mingles with that of the artists. Four sessions are scheduled at 6pm, 7pm, 8pm and 9pm at 18, rue Antoine-Bourdelle in the 15th arrondissement.

K-Pop and street-food at the Musée Cernuschi

The Musée Cernuschi is offering a more festive approach to this Nuit des musées 2026. K-Pop demonstrations will punctuate the evening, accompanied by guided tours. Workshops dedicated to the art of maedup, a traditional Korean knot, will also be offered.

For those with a sweet tooth, Korean street-food will be available within the museum itself. The perfect way to restore your strength between two strolls through the collections. The institution is also extending its exhibition devoted to Korean artist Shin Sung-hy. See you from 6pm to 9pm at 7, avenue Velasquez in the 8th arrondissement.

As an added bonus, each of the seven institutions will feature a K-Zone area. These display areas showcase Korean cultural products. Handicrafts, accessories, lifestyle, beauty and fashion products will all be on display. A fun way to extend your immersion in the culture of the Land of the Morning Calm.

Practical information to enjoy the evening

Museum Night takes place on Saturday, May 23, 2026. Access to most museums is free for the occasion. Times vary from institution to institution, with some opening at 6pm and others at 10:30pm.

To make the most of the evening, remember to plan ahead. The seven participating museums are located in different arrondissements of Paris. From the 3rd to the 16th, each district offers a unique experience. A great opportunity to (re)discover Paris from an original cultural angle.

• Museum Night