Free museums and monuments in Paris this Sunday: the full list of places to visit
Paris and the Île-de-France region offer a rare cultural richness. Every Sunday, free museums and monuments open their doors without spending a single euro. This 2026 guide rounds up the must-visit spots, from Paris to the surrounding area, for a perfect cultural day out.
Free museums in Paris every Sunday
Some Parisian museums offer permanent free admission on Sundays. The Musée d’Art Moderne de la Ville de Paris (MAM), located just a stone’s throw from the Eiffel Tower, invites visitors to discover more than 15,000 works from the 20th and 21st centuries. Open Tuesday through Sunday, it welcomes visitors free of charge.
The Musée Carnavalet, the oldest museum in Paris dedicated to the history of the capital, is also free. It is the ideal place to understand how the city has evolved through the centuries.
Among the other addresses worth noting, the Petit Palais is home to the Musée des Beaux-Arts de la Ville de Paris. Designed by Charles Girault for the 1900 Universal Exhibition, this exceptional architectural building holds a wealth of treasures, all accessible free of charge.
Artist studios, museums and memorial sites open at no cost
The Musée Bourdelle, dedicated to the celebrated sculptor, is located in the 15th arrondissement. Its permanent route is designed for adults and children alike. As a bonus, an on-site café-restaurant lets you extend the visit.
The Musée Zadkine, tucked away at 100 bis rue d’Assas, is the former home of Ossip Zadkine, the emblematic sculptor who lived there from 1928 to 1967. Close to the Jardin du Luxembourg, it opens its doors free of charge for its permanent collection, year-round, in a lush green setting filled with sculptures.
The Mémorial de la Shoah in Paris invites us to remember and understand the history of the Jews of France, particularly during the Second World War. Admission is free, and the visit remains a deeply moving experience.
« The Musée Cernuschi is Paris’s museum of Asian arts, tracing the history of Chinese, Japanese, Korean and Vietnamese peoples from the Neolithic era. »
More free museums and monuments in Paris on Sundays
The Musée Cernuschi holds a collection of 5,000 works bequeathed by Henri Cernuschi in the 19th century. The centrepiece is a large bronze Buddha that dominates the vast, high-ceilinged room where the permanent collections are displayed.
The Arènes de Lutèce, a remarkably well-preserved Gallo-Roman amphitheatre, sit at the heart of the square des Arènes de Lutèce in Paris. This site is a true symbol of the Parisian art de vivre, and entry is completely free.
Meanwhile, Europa Expérience, facing the Madeleine, offers a 1,500 m² exhibition space dedicated to the European Union. The multimedia journey includes augmented reality installations and a 360° cinema, all completely free of charge.
- The Musée d’Art Moderne de la Ville de Paris (MAM): more than 15,000 works, free on Sundays
- The Musée Carnavalet: the oldest museum in Paris dedicated to the history of the capital
- The Petit Palais: an architectural masterpiece from the 1900 Universal Exhibition
- The Musée Zadkine: the former home of sculptor Ossip Zadkine, from 1928 to 1967
- The Mémorial de la Shoah: a free memorial site dedicated to the history of the Jews of France
The Musée de la Légion d’honneur et des ordres de chevalerie, housed in the magnificent Hôtel de Salm in Paris, also allows visitors to discover the history of French distinctions free of charge. It is an often-overlooked gem, yet one that is steeped in history.
Free museums and monuments for under-26s
Many free museums and monuments also offer permanent free admission for visitors under 26, in Paris and across the Île-de-France. It is a great tip to keep in mind before planning your cultural outing.
Furthermore, certain national sites open free of charge on the first Sunday of the month, a perfect opportunity to visit places that are usually ticketed, with no budget constraints.
Free monuments in the Île-de-France on the first Sunday of the month
The Château d’Écouen, located 20 km from Paris, is home to the national museum of the Renaissance. This architectural gem opens free of charge on the first Sunday of the month and offers unique collections spanning the Renaissance period.
The Château de Malmaison, in Rueil-Malmaison in the Hauts-de-Seine, houses the national Napoleonic museum. During the Revolution, Joséphine Bonaparte acquired it, and the residence became the Imperial Palace of Malmaison, serving for a time as the seat of government. This site is also accessible free of charge on the first Sunday of the month.
The Domaine de Saint-Cloud, a historic park of 460 hectares classified as a Jardin remarquable, offers a variety of events throughout the year. This magical place has long been synonymous with celebration for local residents and Paris lovers alike, and admission is free on the first Sunday of the month.
Beyond Paris, other free museums and monuments in the Île-de-France are well worth the trip. The Musée de l’Air et de l’Espace du Bourget lets you rediscover the aircraft of the conquest of air and space free of charge, you can even climb aboard many legendary planes. It is a hidden gem for anyone who dreams of travel, at a time when the world has its eyes fixed on Mars, the Moon and the ISS.
