Free museums in Paris — sounds too good to be true, right? But it’s real. Paris has a surprising number of museums that are completely free to visit year-round, plus many more that open their doors for free once a month.
And no, this isn’t clickbait — you can genuinely see some of the world’s most famous art without spending a cent. Here’s how to find all the free museums in Paris and make the most of them.
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18 Free Museums in Paris that are worth it
If you are looking for museums in Paris that are free to visit, check out this list! I found for you the best free museums in Paris that you should add to your bucket list.
23 Rue de Sévigné, 75003 Paris | closed on Mondays
The Musée Carnavalet is one of the most fascinating free museums in Paris, dedicated entirely to the story of the city itself. Set inside two beautiful mansions in the Marais, it takes you on a journey through three thousand years of Parisian history — from prehistoric settlements to modern-day life.
You’ll find over 600,000 pieces here: paintings, sculptures, photographs, furniture, and letters that once shaped the city’s past.
My personal favorite? A rather shocking pair of earrings — one a tiny guillotine, the other featuring the heads of Marie Antoinette and Louis XVI. Only in Paris would history meet fashion like this.
If you love French culture or simply want to understand Paris beyond its monuments, the Carnavalet is one museum you shouldn’t miss — and yes, it’s completely free to visit.
#2 Petit Palais – Musée des Beaux-Arts
Av. Winston Churchill, 75008 Paris | closed on Mondays
The Petit Palais is one of the most beautiful free museums in Paris — and it’s worth visiting for the architecture alone. Built for the 1900 Exposition Universelle, this elegant Beaux-Arts building now houses the City of Paris Museum of Fine Arts.
Inside, you’ll find a wonderful collection spanning centuries: sculptures, paintings, and decorative objects from the Renaissance to the early 20th century. It’s a peaceful place to admire masterpieces from Monet, Cezanne, Pissaro and many more — and the inner courtyard café is perfect for a quiet break between galleries.
#3 Musée Cernuschi
7 Av. Velasquez, 75008 Paris | closed on Mondays
The Musée Cernuschi — one of the lesser-known free museums in Paris — is a serene escape into Asian art and culture. Housed in the former mansion of collector Henri Cernuschi, it displays more than 15,000 works from China, Japan, Korea, and Vietnam.
You’ll find everything from ancient bronzes to delicate scroll paintings, each piece reflecting centuries of craftsmanship and history.
→ Tip: The museum sits right next to Parc Monceau, one of Paris’s prettiest parks. Before or after your visit, take a short stroll to see the striking red Maison Loo, also known as the Pagoda of Paris.
#4 Musée d’Art Moderne de Paris
11 Av. du Président Wilson, 75116 Paris | closed on Mondays
The Musée d’Art Moderne de Paris is a must for anyone who loves modern and contemporary art — and the best part? It’s one of the top free museums in Paris.
Located in the eastern wing of the Palais de Tokyo, it houses more than 15,000 works from the great art movements of the 20th and 21st centuries. You’ll find pieces by Matisse, Delaunay, and Picasso alongside bold contemporary installations.
→ Tip: Step outside onto the museum’s parvis or walk to the right end of the Palais de Tokyo — both spots offer one of the most stunning views of the Eiffel Tower.
#5 Musée Bourdelle
18 Rue Antoine Bourdelle, 75015 Paris | temporarily closed
The Musée Bourdelle is one of those free museums in Paris that feels like a hidden treasure. Once the studio of sculptor Antoine Bourdelle, it offers a rare glimpse into the world of late 19th- and early 20th-century artists.
You can wander through peaceful sculpture halls and the preserved atelier where Bourdelle lived and worked, surrounded by more than 500 of his creations — alongside pieces by masters like Delacroix.
It’s an inspiring, quietly atmospheric place where art and history meet — and you don’t have to spend a cent to experience it.
#6 Musée de la Vie Romantique
16 Rue Chaptal, 75009 Paris | closed on Mondays
Update 2025: Closed until February 2026 for renovations.
Tucked away in the 9th arrondissement, the Musée de la vie Romantique is one of the most charming free museums in Paris — and a hidden gem for anyone who loves art, literature, or a good story.
Once the home of writer George Sand (born Amantine Lucile Aurore Dupin de Francueil), the museum captures the spirit of 19th-century Paris and the Romantic era. Sand, famously ahead of her time, used a male pen name to get published and often dressed in men’s clothing to move freely in society.
Inside, you’ll find letters, manuscripts, and drawings — even sketches by Delacroix — offering a glimpse into her fascinating, unconventional world. And when you’re done exploring, grab a coffee in the lovely greenhouse café tucked behind the garden.
Tip: Combine your visit to the Musée de la Vie Romantique with a visit to the legendary Montmartre neighborhood.
#7 Musée Zadkine
100bis Rue d’Assas, 75006 Paris | closed on Mondays
Just a few steps from the Jardin du Luxembourg, the Musée Zadkineis one of the most peaceful locations in Paris — and one that many visitors overlook.
Set in the former home and studio of Russian sculptor Ossip Zadkine, it feels more like an artist’s retreat than a museum. You can wander among 300 of his sculptures, surrounded by sketches, photographs, and tapestries that reveal his creative process.
The garden, dotted with his expressive bronze works, is a quiet little haven — perfect for a short, art-filled pause between strolls through the Latin Quarter.
#8 Musée de la Libération de Paris
4 Av. du Colonel Henri Rol-Tanguy, 75014 Paris | closed on Mondays
On the Left Bank, right across from the Catacombs, the Musée de la Libération is one of the most important free museums in Paris.
It tells the story of the city’s liberation and the French Resistance during World War II, with a special focus on Jean Moulin, one of its most iconic leaders.
The museum’s exhibits bring history to life — from personal letters and photos to maps used by the underground network. You can even descend into the real command bunkers hidden beneath the building, once used by resistance fighters.
→ Tip: After your visit, cross the street to see the Catacombs (booking required), or head to nearby Rue Daguerre for a cozy meal at one of its many cafés and restaurants.
#9 Musée Cognacq-Jay
8 Rue Elzevir, 75003 Paris | closed on Mondays
The Musée Cognacq-Jay lies tucked away in the Marais. It showcases the private collection of Théodore-Ernest Cognacq — founder of the Samaritaine department store — and his wife, Marie-Louise Jay.
Their collection focuses on 18th-century France, with paintings by Rembrandt alongside exquisite furniture, Chinese ceramics, and delicate objets d’art.
It’s a small but refined museum that feels like stepping into the private world of Parisian collectors from another era.
#10 Atelier Brancusi
Place Georges Pompidou, 75004 Paris | closed on Tuesdays
Romanian sculptor Constantin Brancusi lived and worked in Paris for most of his life, and his studio has been lovingly reconstructed just opposite the Centre Pompidou.
Inside, you’ll find more than 250 of his works — along with tools, sketches, and 1,600 glass plates and photographs he used to document his art.ius.
It’s a compact but captivating space where you can step right into the world of Brancusi — and see how his minimalist, poetic sculptures came to life.
#11 Maison de Balzac
47 Rue Raynouard, 75016 Paris | closed on Mondays
If you’re a fan of French literature, the Maison de Balzac is one of the most charming free museums in Paris — and a must for anyone who loves Honoré de Balzac’s work.
Hidden away in the quiet Passy neighborhood, this was the novelist’s actual home, where he wrote parts of La Comédie Humaine. While much of the original furniture is gone, you can still see his desk and chair, along with manuscripts, letters, and a library filled with books about his life and work.
Walking through the rooms, it’s easy to picture Balzac hunched over his pages, fueled by endless cups of coffee and deadlines.
→ Note: The Maison de Balzac is one of three literary museums in Paris, along with Maison Victor Hugo and the Musée de la Vie Romantique in George Sand’s former home.
#12 Memorial de la Shoa
17 Rue Geoffroy l’Asnier, 75004 Paris | closed on Saturdays
The Memorial of the Shoa in the Marais is one of the most powerful free museums in Paris, that everyone should visit – especially in 2025. Located in a neighborhood that has been home to Paris’s Jewish community for centuries, it’s both a place of remembrance and education.
Outside stands the Wall of Names, engraved with the identities of 76,000 French Jews deported and murdered during World War II — a deeply moving sight that’s open to the public at all times.
Inside, the museum is divided into four parts: the Crypt, which holds the ashes of victims; the Jewish Files, created by the Vichy regime to identify Jewish citizens; the Exhibit Rooms, documenting the Holocaust through texts, photos, and testimonies; and the Wall of the Righteous, honoring those who risked their lives to save others.
It’s not an easy visit, but an essential one — a solemn reminder of history, right in the heart of Paris.
#13 Musée du Parfum Fragonard
9 Rue Scribe, 75009 Paris | open every day
Want to feel like you’ve traveled through centuries in just one afternoon? Head to the Fragonard Parfum Museum in Paris.
This elegant private museum offers a fascinating glimpse into the art of perfume-making — from antique bottles and ornate toiletry sets to centuries-old distillation stills. It’s a true sensory journey through time and fragrance history.
Bonus: guided tours run every 30 minutes and are completely free, so you can easily fit this little time-traveling experience into your Paris itinerary.
#14 Musée de la Prefecture de Police
4 Rue de la Montagne Ste Geneviève, 75005 Paris | closed on Weekends & Mondays
This rather quirky museum is a real hidden gem for true crime enthusiasts. The Musée de la Préfecture de Police is packed with fascinating artifacts — from old uniforms and weapons to original evidence from some of France’s most notorious criminal cases.
Among the exhibits, you’ll even find the pistol used in an attempted assassination of a French president. It’s a small but captivating museum that offers a chilling (and intriguing) glimpse into the darker side of Parisian history.
#15 Maison de Victor Hugo
6 Pl. des Vosges, 75004 Paris | closed on Mondays
Step inside the Musée de Victor Hugoand travel back to the 19th century! This beautiful apartment on Place des Vosges was home to the legendary writer for 16 years — and it’s here that he penned large parts of Les Misérables.
As you wander through the rooms, you’ll feel the presence of Hugo’s literary world — from his personal furniture and drawings to the salon where he hosted friends like Alexandre Dumas and Honoré de Balzac.
It’s also where Hugo’s life came full circle — he passed away here in 1885 at the age of 83, leaving behind an extraordinary legacy that continues to shape French culture today.
#16 Musée Curie
1 Rue Pierre et Marie Curie, 75005 Paris | closed Sunday – Tuesday
The Musée Curie is a fascinating stop for science lovers and anyone curious about the history of radiology.
Once the laboratory of Marie and Pierre Curie, this small but powerful museum tells the story of their groundbreaking discoveries through original instruments, photographs, and personal documents.
You can even step inside their restored workspace — a rare glimpse into the daily life of two of history’s most brilliant scientists.
Fun fact: Marie Curie remains one of only six women buried in the Panthéon, honored for her extraordinary contributions to science.
#17 Musée d’Art et d’histore de Sainte-Anne
1 Rue Cabanis, 75014 Paris | closed Monday & Tuesday
Step into the fascinating — and sometimes unsettling — world of medical history at the Sainte Anne Hospital Museum of Art and History.
This unusual museum explores the evolution of psychiatry, neurology, and medical treatments through centuries, blending science with art in surprising ways. You’ll find historical instruments, patient artworks, and documents that reveal how far mental health care has come.
It’s not the typical Paris museum visit — but if you’re curious about the human mind and its mysteries, this hidden gem will leave a lasting impression.
#18 Musée de la Legion d’Honneur
2 Rue de la Légion d’Honneur, 75007 Paris | closed Monday & Tuesday
If you’re fascinated by medals, honors, and the stories behind them, the National Museum of the Legion of Honour and of orders of chivalry is one of the most interesting free museums in Paris to visit.
Located just across from the Musée d’Orsay, it showcases centuries of history through decorations, insignias, and Napoleonic memorabilia — tracing how France has celebrated bravery and service from King Louis XI to modern times.
→ Tip: Combine your visit with the Musée d’Orsay right across the street — the perfect mix of art, history, and heroism in one afternoon.
Wrap-Up
And there you have it — 18 amazing free museums in Paris, from world-famous art collections to quirky hidden gems. Whether you’re passionate about history, literature, science, or sculpture, there’s a museum waiting to inspire you — and it won’t cost you a single euro.
So next time you’re in Paris, skip the pricey attractions for a day and dive into these cultural treasures instead. You’ll walk away richer in stories, not poorer in cash. 💛
→ Bonus tip: Many of these museums have quiet courtyards or cafés — the perfect spots to rest your feet and soak in that Parisian atmosphere for free.
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Must-Haves for Paris:
- eSim card to stay online while in Paris. I used GigSky for my travels.
- You likely need a travel adapter to plug your devices.
- Travel Insurance – if you don’t have one, VisitorsCoverage is a good option.
- If your flight is delayed or even canceled, use AirHelp to get compensation.
Tours & Attractions:
- I book tours & activities through Get Your Guide or Viator.
- Museum & Landmark tickets can be cheaper on the official page, but they are often sold out.
- I love the GoCity Travel Passes for easy planning
- I use Tiqets for Seine Cruises because with my code SALUT5 we get 5% off
Flights & Transportation:
Accomodation:
- Hotels in Europe I mostly book through Booking.com (check reviews carefully)
- Vacation Rentals through Airbnb or VRBO
