Musée Cognacq-Jay opens its doors for free on these two days in September
A hidden treasure in the heart of the Marais is about to throw open its doors for two exceptional days. The Musée Cognacq-Jay, often overlooked by the standard tourist trail, is offering free admission on Saturday 19 and Sunday 20 September 2026 as part of the 43rd edition of the European Heritage Days. A rare opportunity to step inside one of the most singular addresses in Paris’s 3rd arrondissement.
A collection born from a passion for the 18th century
Behind this museum lies a fascinating human story. Ernest Cognacq, founder of the Samaritaine department store, and his wife Marie-Louise Jay spent the years between 1900 and 1925 assembling a remarkably rich collection. Paintings, sculptures, drawings, furniture and precious objects make up this ensemble, entirely devoted to the spirit of the French Enlightenment.
What visitors encounter today is the vision of a great 18th-century art lover, translated into hundreds of carefully chosen works. Each piece reflects an era, a sensibility, a way of seeing the world. The collection is far more than a simple inventory: it tells the story of a man and a woman who dedicated decades to gathering this heritage.
The setting itself deserves attention. The Musée Cognacq-Jay is housed in the Hôtel de Donon, a historic building that adds an architectural dimension to the visit. To walk through these rooms is to move through several layers of history at once.
What to expect during the European Heritage Days 2026
For the 2026 Heritage Days, the programme holds a musical surprise in the museum’s courtyard. A concert entitled “Résonances du patrimoine : de Marais à Bach” will take place there, led by cellist Zoé Saubat. The programme draws a thread between composers from different eras: from the Follia of Marin Marais to the suites of Bach, by way of Forqueray.
This musical journey creates a dialogue across the centuries, in perfect harmony with the museum’s collections. The courtyard becomes an open-air stage, where early music resonates among the stones of the Hôtel de Donon. That is precisely the power of this event: visual art and music answer each other within a single space steeped in history.
- Concert on Sunday 20 September 2026
- Two sessions: 11:00 to 12:00 and 15:00 to 16:00
- Free entry, subject to availability
- No booking required for the concert
Practical information for planning your visit to the Musée Cognacq-Jay
Before you head over, one important detail is worth noting. While the concert requires no booking, visiting the Musée Cognacq-Jay itself requires a mandatory reservation. It is well worth planning ahead to avoid finding the door closed on the day.
The two open days are Saturday 19 and Sunday 20 September 2026. This event is part of the 43rd edition of the European Heritage Days, a major cultural occasion that draws large audiences across Paris and Île-de-France every year.
Why this museum is genuinely worth the visit
The Musée Cognacq-Jay remains largely unknown to the general public, and that is precisely what makes it so special. Far from the crowds of Paris’s major museums, it offers a more intimate, more focused experience. You take the time to look, to pause, to understand what artistic taste meant in another age.
The unusual programme put together for the 2026 Heritage Days only adds to the appeal. The cello concert in the courtyard transforms the usual visit into something more alive, more sensory. This Marais museum proves that a heritage site can surprise just as much as it educates.
Whether you are a devotee of 18th-century art or simply curious about this gem of the 3rd arrondissement, these two days in September 2026 offer the perfect window to finally cross the threshold of the Hôtel de Donon.
