Every year in mid-May, Europe's museums, monuments and art venues open their doors to us for an evening full of surprises. The Nuit des Musées is a well-known event for art lovers: for us, it's an opportunity to visit beautiful museums close to home, to discover new ones, or to enjoy an exceptional and original program.
In Paris and across Île-de-France, on Saturday, May 23, 2026, hundreds of venues will open their doors to visitors. Expect guided tours, themed visits, performances, concerts, workshops... and many more surprises! But unless you have superpowers, you'll have to make some tough choices: it's impossible to experience all the museums, castles, and activities in just one evening!
And that's where the real challenge of Nuit des Musées comes in: how do you choose, how do you know which places to visit, which ones will have to wait for the next edition?
Of course, tastes and preferences vary. Still, we’ll do our best to guide you. To help you navigate the many options, take a look below at our curated list of must-see highlights for this Night of Museums 2026.
Museum Night 2026 at the Château de Versailles (Yvelines, 78): the program for the Sun King’s domain.
What’s in store for the 2026 Night of Museums at the Château de Versailles? Here’s what to expect for the 22nd edition, taking place on Saturday, May 23, 2026. [Read more]
A musical evening for the 2026 Night of Museums at the Musée de la Vie Romantique in Paris.
The Musée de la Vie Romantique invites you to a very special evening on May 23, 2026: activities are planned for the 22nd edition of the Night of Museums in Paris. [Read more]
Fontainebleau Palace to offer exceptional free admission for the Night of Museums 2026.
The Night of Museums is back in Paris and the Île-de-France region. It’s the perfect occasion for the Château de Fontainebleau to reveal its secrets during free, after-hours openings. Join us this Saturday, May 23, 2026, for a night that transcends time! [Read more]
Night of Museums 2026 at the Museum of Decorative Arts: a scavenger hunt through the permanent collections
In Paris, the Musée des Arts Décoratifs (MAD Paris) is taking part in the 22nd edition of the Night of Museums on May 23, 2026. Click here for the detailed program of this free nocturnal event! [Read more]
Night of Museums 2026 at the Monnaie de Paris: a treasure hunt and a torchlight tour!
The Night of Museums is taking place this Saturday, May 23, 2026, across France. To mark the occasion, the Monnaie de Paris will open its doors for free and offer self-guided or guided tours during a special after-hours event. [Read more]
Night of Museums 2026 at the Grand Palais: Free, Evening Access to the Matisse Exhibition in Paris
For the 2026 Museum Night, the Grand Palais invites us to explore one of its major current exhibitions during an exclusive evening event, set to take place on May 23, 2026. [Read more]
Night of Museums 2026: Unravel the Mystery at the Police Prefecture Museum in Paris
On the occasion of the 2026 Night of Museums, the Police Prefecture Museum invites visitors to explore the inner workings of the Paris police force this Saturday, May 23, 2026, in the capital. A unique lineup of fun, family-friendly activities awaits for the event. Here’s a look at the full program. [Read more]
With these places of art and history, you can't go wrong: you're sure to have a great time! Please note, however, that some museums and monuments are only accessible by reservation, so make up your mind quickly! And of course, have a wonderful Nuit des Musées in Paris and the Ile-de-France region.
Dates and Opening Time
On May 23, 2026
