Discover the TOP 10 free museums on the 1st Sunday of the month in Paris. Visiting a free museum on the first Sunday of the month in Paris can be a very good idea, especially if you choose a rather early morning schedule to avoid the crowds. In general, only the permanent collections are accessible free of charge.

1. Orsay Museum

Inaugurated in 1986, and located along the quays on the left bank of the Seine, the Musée d’Orsay is one of the best museums to discover in Paris. It is also one of the most pleasant Parisian museums to visit. The Musée d’Orsay is known for its rich collection of impressionist paintings. Moreover, it is the largest collection of impressionist and post-impressionist paintings in the world.

• Official website of the Musée d’Orsay
• Nearest metro station: Solférino (line 12)
• Open on Google Maps: 1 Rue de la Legion d’Honneur, 75007 Paris

2. Quai Branly Museum – Jacques Chirac

Before 2016, the Musée du quai Branly bore the name of the Museum of Arts and Civilizations of Africa, Asia, Oceania and the Americas. A very nice museum to discover in Paris, close to the Eiffel Tower.

• Official museum website
• Nearest metro station: Pont de l’Alma (RER C)
• On Google Maps: 37 Quai Branly, 75007 Paris

3. Orangery Museum

The Musée de l’Orangerie is a very beautiful little museum located in the Tuileries Garden in Paris. Visiting the permanent collections is free on the first Sunday of the month. Here you will find collections of European art from the 20th century. If you choose to visit this museum, don’t miss Monet’s Water Lilies room.

• Official museum website
• Nearest metro station: Concorde (lines 1, 8 and 12)
• On Google Maps: Jardin des Tuileries, 75001 Paris

4. National Museum of Modern Art – Center Pompidou

The Center Pompidou is one of the most visited Parisian museums, but also free museums on the 1st Sunday of the month in Paris. It is therefore an excellent opportunity to take the opportunity to discover the permanent collections dedicated to contemporary art of this famous museum in Paris. In addition, the Center Pompidou is also known for its surprising architecture, but also the views it offers over Paris. So enjoy it!

• Official museum website
• Nearest metro station: Rambuteau (line 11)
• Place on Google Maps: Place Georges-Pompidou, 75004 Paris

5. Museum of Arts and Crafts

The Musée des Arts et Métiers is also one of the best free museums in Paris on the 1st Sunday of the month. The collections of this museum are inside an old church that housed Foucault’s pendulum.

• Official museum website
• Nearest metro: Arts et Métiers (lines 3 and 11)
• On Google Maps: 60 Rue Réaumur, 75003 Paris

6. National Picasso Museum-Paris

Located in a magnificent building dating from the 17th century, this museum offers a collection of 5000 works by Picasso, as well as objects and archives belonging to the painter. If you appreciate this famous 20th century painter, this museum is clearly a place to visit, especially since it is free on the first Sunday of the month.

• Official museum website
• Nearest metro: Saint-Sébastien – Froissart (line 8)
• On Google Maps: 5 Rue de Thorigny, 75003 Paris

7. Guimet Museum – National Museum of Asian Arts

The Guimet Museum is one of the very beautiful free museums on the 1st Sunday of the month to visit in Paris. Here you will find a large collection of Asian art. If you want to learn more about Asian cultures, or if you already appreciate these cultures, the Guimet Museum is a must.

• Official museum website
• Nearest metro: Jena (line 9)
• Place on Google Maps: 6 Pl. d’Iéna, 75116 Paris

8. Cluny Museum – Museum of the Middle Ages

The medieval world will have no more secrets for you! Located in the Latin Quarter of Paris, the Musée de Cluny is one of the best free museums in Paris on the 1st Sunday of the month.

• Official museum website
• Nearest metro: Saint-Michel Notre-Dame (line 4, RER B and C)
• On Google Maps: 28 Rue du Sommerard, 75005 Paris

9. City of Architecture and Heritage

This museum is not one of the most famous museums in the capital. However, it is clearly worth the detour. Here you will learn about French architecture and the most famous national monuments.

• Official museum website
• Nearest metro: Trocadéro (lines 6 and 9)
• Open on Google Maps: 1 Pl. du Trocadéro et du 11 Novembre, 75116 Paris

10. National Museum of Immigration History

The National Museum of the History of Immigration teaches us more about the different migratory flows to France. The museum is inside the Palais de la Porte Dorée, a beautiful building of Art Deco architecture. It is also classified as a historical monument.

• Official museum website
• Nearest metro: Porte Dorée (line 8)
• Place on Google Maps: 293 Av. Daumesnil, 75012 Paris

BONUS: Petit Palais, Museum of Fine Arts of the City of Paris (free all the time)

The Petit Palais, or also known as the Museum of Fine Arts of the City of Paris, is a must-see place in Paris. Especially since admission is free all year round. A real architectural gem to visit without hesitation!

• Official museum website
• Nearest metro: Champs-Élysées – Clemenceau (lines 1 and 13)
• On Google Maps: Av. Winston Churchill, 75008 Paris

Other free museums on the 1st Sunday of the month in Paris whose free entry has been suspended

Here is the list of museums in Paris which were free on the 1st Sunday, and whose free admission has unfortunately been suspended since:

• Pantheon (free from the 1st Sunday of the month suspended)
• Arc de Triomphe (free from the 1st Sunday of the month suspended)
• Concierge service (free from the 1st Sunday of the month suspended)
• Sainte-Chapelle (free from the 1st Sunday of the month suspended)

Visiting the free museums on the first Sunday of the month in Paris is a very good idea for the wallet. On the other hand, expect to have a longer wait than usual for visits to the premises.