May is definitely our favorite month: it's the third bank holiday we've had this month! Many lucky people will be able to spend less time at the office, and more time in museums. This Thursday, May 9, 2024, is Ascension Day. In other words, it's a public holiday! Just after the May 8 commemorations, some people even have a third day off: if you take the day off on Friday, you'll enjoy a long weekend, ideal for fun and relaxation.
With all these extra days off, there's plenty of time to get out and discover all the events on offer. And when you see the program of museums in Paris and theIle-de-France region, you already know how you're going to spend your free time this Ascension weekend!
Provided, of course, that the museums are open on the holiday. The good news is that almost all art and culture venues will remain open to the public on May 9, 2024. The question is, where can't we go? To find out, let's take a look at the list of cultural venues closing on Ascension Day.
Museums and monuments closed on Ascension Thursday, May 9, 2024:
The little-known Musée Jacquemart-André and its fine art collection in Paris
The Musée Jacquemart-André is a beautiful, little-known museum in Paris. It holds many treasures, including Rembrandt's Pilgrims to Emmaus, Sandro Botticelli's Virgin and Child and Donatello's Martyrdom of Saint Sebastian, all collected by Nélie Jacquemart and her husband Edouard André in the 19th century. [Read more]
La Monnaie de Paris: an unusual cultural and historical institution in Paris
Do you know how coins are made in France? Come and find out by visiting the Monnaie de Paris, the institution that teaches us more about the history of silver and the minting of medals, in a place steeped in history. [Read more]
The Musée de la Chasse et de la Nature in Paris: an exploration of the human-animal relationship
Nestled in the Marais district of Paris, the Musée de la Chasse et de la Nature offers a unique insight into hunting, nature and the complex relationship between man and animal. This unusual museum invites visitors to discover an exceptional collection, while encouraging reflection on our relationship with flora and fauna. [Read more]
The Musée de la Carte à jouer, a unique collection dedicated to our card games, in Issy (92).
Just south of Paris, in Issy-des-Moulineaux (92), you'll find a museum that's unique in France: the Musée de la Carte à jouer, a cultural venue devoted entirely to card games, from the first models to appear in the 15th century, right up to the present day. [Read more]
Good news then: this Thursday, and over the long weekend, almost all museums and monuments are open! So, where are we going and what are we doing? It's up to you to decide: a multitude ofexhibitions and outings are on offer. Need help choosing? Take a look at our selection.
Exhibitions of the moment :
May 2024 in Paris: the best exhibitions to see in the capital and the Paris region
What's there to see in May 2024 in Paris and the Île-de-France region? The program of new exhibitions is on its way, and promises some great discoveries! [Read more]
AURA INVALIDES, the must-see sound and light show in Paris
Looking for a unique nocturnal experience in Paris? Ready to be amazed and embark on a timeless journey to a legendary heritage site? Come and discover AURA INVALIDES, a sound and light show at the iconic Dôme des Invalides as night falls. A magical moment in the heart of the Dome, sure to delight young and old alike. [Read more]
Center Pompidou: prices, opening hours, access... All you need to know about the Musée d'Art Moderne
The Centre Pompidou, a museum of modern and contemporary art in the heart of Paris, awaits you every day (except Tuesdays) for a plunge into art in all its forms. Explore its history and exhibitions, and immerse yourself in the artistic universe of one of the world's most visited museums! [Read more]
Claude Monet : where to see the works of the famous impressionist painter in Paris ?
He's undoubtedly one of France's best-loved painters: Claude Monet left us many magnificent canvases, some of which can be seen in Paris museums. [Read more]
LV Dream by Louis Vuitton: free exhibition, boutique, café and chocolate shop
The famous Maison Louis Vuitton opens LV DREAM, a free exhibition and gift store that also features a café and a chocolate shop in collaboration with Chef Pâtissier Maxime Frédéric of Cheval Blanc Paris. While the exhibition is by reservation only, the boutique and café are open to the public. [Read more]
The Dior Gallery: a sublime exhibition at the couture house's historic address
The Galerie Dior is the must-see spot for fashion lovers in Paris! Located in the historic mansion at 30 Montaigne, it invites visitors to plunge into the heart of the fabulous universe of the House of Christian Dior. Between heritage(s) and reinvention, discover the new exhibition route of this cultural showcase, through a succession of immersive scenographies brought together in this veritable little museum. [Read more]
Musée d'Orsay: booking, prices, free admission, tips and current exhibitions
Would you like to visit the Musée d'Orsay, one of Europe's most visited museums and home to the world's largest collection of Impressionist paintings? We'll be happy to give you all the tips and tricks you need to know about the museum, the works of art to discover, the current exhibitions, and the prices and free admission options available, so you can make the most of your visit in the best possible conditions. [Read more]
New: an open-air trench at the Grande Guerre museum
Sponsored - Follow in the footsteps of the 600,000 men from Black Africa, the West Indies, Oceania, Asia and North Africa who came to fight far from home on the various fronts of the war in Europe in a major exhibition at the Musée de la Grande Guerre. From April 4 to December 30, 2024. The Musée de la Grande Guerre expands! Come and discover an installation never before seen in France: an open-air trench. [Read more]
The Musée du Quai Branly in Paris: a journey to the heart of the world's cultures
The Musée du Quai Branly - Jacques Chirac, just a stone's throw from the Eiffel Tower, offers a fascinating journey through the world's cultures. This unique museum, nestled in a green setting, is a must for lovers of ethnography and cultural discovery. [Read more]
The Petit Palais in Paris and its hidden treasures, the free museum, opening hours and exhibitions
The Petit Palais, home to the Musées des Beaux-Arts de la Ville de Paris, is a true architectural masterpiece. Designed by Charles Girault for the 1900 Universal Exhibition, this museum is a treasure trove. And since admission is free, you'd be wrong not to take advantage of it. [Read more]
Henri Matisse in Paris: where to see the works of the painter in the capital?
Precursor of fauvism, impressionist, modern artist... Henri Matisse has left a lasting impression on the art world. What if we (re)discovered his works thanks to the Parisian museums? [Read more]
Paradox Museum Paris, a crazy journey of optical illusions
Paradox Museum, 90 experiences of trompe l'oeil, optical illusions and sensory upheaval await you in Paris. You'll love being fooled and capturing surrealist images. Would you like to try it out? [Read more]
L'Atelier des Lumières, a digital art center and immersive museum in Paris
For total, magical immersion in the works of the greatest artists, head for Atelier des Lumières, the digital art center in Paris's 11th arrondissement. Find out all the latest news from this museum like no other. [Read more]
Musée de l'Orangerie in Paris: programming, opening hours, history... All you need to know
The Musée de l'Orangerie is famous for Monet's Water Lilies. But the museum holds many other treasures... Here's everything you need to know to visit. [Read more]
Musée Picasso in Paris: prices, access, opening hours... All you need to know about the Paris museum
If you're a fan of Picasso's work, head to the Musée Picasso to discover the museum's permanent collections, as well as numerous exhibitions on the artist's world. History, access, opening hours, prices... We tell you everything you need to know about this beautiful Parisian museum! [Read more]
Musée d'Art Moderne de la Ville de Paris (MAM): An artistic journey from the 20th to the 21st century
The Musée d'Art Moderne de Paris, open since 1961 and located in the heart of the City of Light, a stone's throw from the Eiffel Tower, invites visitors to discover over 15,000 works reflecting the wealth of artistic creation of the 20th and 21st centuries. Open from Tuesday to Sunday, this museum transports us into the world of contemporary art. It's free to visit! [Read more]
Précieux déchets, the exhibition to help you consume differently, at the Cité des Sciences
From December 5, 2023 to September 1, 2024, the Cité des Sciences is hosting a brand new exhibition, Précieux Déchets, inviting us to become aware of the waste we generate, how to reduce it or reuse it to give it a new life. [Read more]
Monuments to see:
The Château de Monte-Cristo, Alexandre Dumas' hidden and unusual home
Discover the Château de Monte-Cristo, the residence imagined by the writer Alexandre Dumas. Set in an English garden in the heart of the Yvelines, on the Saint-Germain-en-Laye side, you'll find an exuberantly styled 19th-century château and its small Château d'If. We take you on a tour of this hidden heritage, listed as a historic monument. [Read more]
A visit to the Château de Versailles and its program
The Château de Versailles, its gardens and grounds, are a world heritage site. The official residence of the kings of France, the Château de Versailles holds the record as the largest château in the world, and of course the most visited in France. [Read more]
Château de Fontainebleau, the second home of the Kings of France
The Château de Fontainebleau invites you to discover its spaces and its history. Come and admire this superb château, with its medieval and classical styles, and its ornate gardens covering more than 130 hectares. [Read more]
Château de Blandy-les-Tours, a medieval monument in a charming Seine-et-Marne village
The little-known Château de Blandy-les-Tours, located in the very center of a picturesque village in the Seine-et-Marne region, boasts a rich heritage that has spanned history, wars and centuries. A true medieval fortress that has been preserved to the present day, it is one of the most impressive castles in the Île-de-France region. We take you on a voyage of discovery. [Read more]
Discover the Château d'Écouen, a Renaissance jewel and national museum
Explore the Château d'Écouen, home to the National Renaissance Museum, located 20 km from Paris. Immerse yourself in the history of this exceptional site and admire its unique collections. [Read more]
The Château de Malmaison, from residence to museum
The Château de Malmaison, located in Rueil-Malmaison in the Hauts-de-Seine region of France, is now home to the Napoleonic National Museum. During the French Revolution, Josephine Bonaparte acquired the property and it became the Palais Impérial de Malmaison, transforming it into the seat of government for a time. [Read more]
Château de la Madeleine in Chevreuse, a Medieval Treasure in Ile-de-France
Available all year round, the Château de la Madeleine in Chevreuse, a medieval jewel in the Ile-de-France region, invites you to immerse yourself in history. [Read more]
Château de Vincennes: a royal fortress in Paris
Along with the Louvre, the Château de Vincennes is one of the most important castles in French history. It is also one of the largest and best-preserved fortified castles in Europe... [Read more]
Photos of the Château de Breteuil, its sublime gardens, stories and events
Château de Breteuil, at Choisel in the Chevreuse valley, is a must-see castle in the Yvelines region. A jewel of the 18th century, the château boasts sublime gardens to discover: a remarkable garden, century-old trees and a labyrinth await you. It also offers young and old alike the chance to plunge into the heart of Perrault's fairy tales. [Read more]
Domaine du Château de Dampierre en Yvelines open and free to under-18s
Domaine du Château de Dampierre-en-Yvelines is now open all year round. There will be no more winter closures. A host of new features await you, including some great events, the opening of guided tours of the château and free admission for under-18s. [Read more]
There's plenty to keep you busy this Ascension Day. So, where do we start?
