Free attractions for under 26s in Paris

Louvre Museum

The Louvre Museum is one of the largest and most famous museums in the world, located in Paris on the right bank of the Seine. Originally built as a fortress in the 12th century, it was transformed into a royal palace before becoming a museum in the late 18th century. In addition to enjoying the fantastic architecture both inside and outside the palace, you can admire some of the famous works such as Leonardo da Vinci's Mona Lisa, the Venus de Milo and the Winged Victory of Samothrace. You cannot come to Paris without stopping by the Louvre, especially knowing that entry is free for under 26s 💪.

Orsay Museum

Another free museum not to be missed is the Musée d'Orsay. Opened to the public in 1986, the museum is housed in a former train station, the Gare d'Orsay, built between 1898 and 1900. The museum is famous for its impressive collection of impressionist and post-impressionist art, which includes works by artists such as Claude Monet, Edgar Degas, Vincent van Gogh, Paul Cézanne, and Pierre-Auguste Renoir. In addition to impressionism, the museum also houses sculptures, photography, furniture, and decorative arts. You'll also find a (miniature) replica of the Statue of Liberty.

Orangerie Museum

The Musée de l'Orangerie is a renowned art museum located in the Tuileries Garden, in the heart of Paris and a stone's throw from the Musée d'Orsay. One of the most famous aspects of the museum is the series of large panels of "Water Lilies" by Claude Monet, displayed in two oval rooms designed by the artist himself to create an immersive environment.

Centre Pompidou

The Centre Pompidou is a cultural centre designed by architects Renzo Piano and Richard Rogers located in the Marais district. It is known for its revolutionary design, with structures, tubes and escalators exposed on the outside of the building, coloured according to their function (blue for air, green for water, yellow for electricity and red for the circulation of people). The National Museum of Modern Art inside the Centre Pompidou houses over 100,000 works, ranging from Fauvism and Cubism to Surrealism, Abstract Expressionism and Pop Art. Artists represented include Pablo Picasso, Henri Matisse, Salvador Dalí, Jackson Pollock, Andy Warhol and many others.

Hôtel des Invalides and Napoleon's Tomb

The Hôtel des Invalides, located in the 7th arrondissement of Paris, is a historic architectural complex that houses several museums and monuments, including the Tomb of Napoleon Bonaparte. Built in the late 17th century under the reign of Louis XIV, the Hôtel des Invalides was originally intended as a residence for war veterans. Today, it houses one of the world's most important military museums.

Sainte Chapelle

The Sainte-Chapelle, located on the Île de la Cité in the heart of Paris, is one of the wonders of Gothic architecture. Built between 1242 and 1248 by order of King Louis IX (Saint Louis), the chapel was designed to house the precious relics of the Passion of Christ, including the Crown of Thorns.

Conciergerie

The Conciergerie is a former royal palace located on the Île de la Cité in Paris. Originally part of the Palais de la Cité, it is one of the oldest buildings in Paris and has played a significant role in the history of the city. Originally built as a royal residence in the 10th century, the Conciergerie later became a prison in the 14th century. It was used as a prison to detain enemies of the revolution. Among the most famous prisoners was Marie Antoinette, who spent her last weeks there before being guillotined in 1793.

Pantheon

The Pantheon is one of the city's most famous and impressive monuments, located in the Latin Quarter and not far from the Île de la Cité. Originally built as a church dedicated to Saint Genevieve, the patron saint of Paris, it is now a secular mausoleum that houses the tombs of some of the most illustrious figures in French history.

Arch of Triumph

The Arc de Triomphe is one of the most iconic monuments in Paris, located at the beginning of the Champs-Élysées, in the center of the Place Charles de Gaulle (also known as the Place de l'Étoile). Built to commemorate the military victories of Napoleon Bonaparte, the arch is a symbol of national pride and French military history.

Chapelle Expiatoire

The Chapelle Expiatoire is a memorial chapel located in the 8th arrondissement of Paris, built to honor the memory of King Louis XVI and Queen Marie Antoinette, who were executed during the French Revolution. This solemn place is a significant example of neoclassical architecture and represents an important part of French history.

Eugène Delacroix Museum

The Musée National Eugène Delacroix is dedicated to the life and work of the famous French Romantic painter Eugène Delacroix. The museum is housed in the last apartment and studio where Delacroix lived and worked until his death in 1863.

Picasso National Museum

The Musée National Picasso is one of the most important art museums in Paris, located in the historic Marais district. It is dedicated to the life and work of the famous Spanish painter Pablo Picasso, and houses a vast collection of works spanning the artist's entire career, from his earliest works to his last masterpieces.

Rodin Museum

The Musée Rodin is a museum located in Paris, in the 7th arrondissement, dedicated to the French sculptor Auguste Rodin. The museum is housed in two main locations: the Hôtel Biron, an elegant 18th-century mansion that was Rodin's residence, and the surrounding gardens, which feature numerous outdoor sculptures.

Other Free Attractions in Paris

Other free attractions are Gustave Moreau Museum, la Great Gallery of Evolution, il Guimet Museum, il National Museum of Immigration History, il Museum of Decorative Arts, il National Medieval Museum of Cluny, il Museum of Arts and Crafts, il National Museum of the Navy, il Postal Museum, la City of Music, il Museum of Judaic Art and History e l'Arab World Institute.

Free Attractions Outside Paris

Palace of Versailles

The Palace of Versailles, located in the city of Versailles, about 20 kilometers west of Paris, is one of the largest and most sumptuous royal palaces in the world. Built in the 17th century during the reign of Louis XIV, the palace was initially a modest hunting lodge, but was later expanded and transformed into a royal residence of extraordinary grandeur and magnificence. As one of the largest and most majestic palaces in the world, it is worth visiting, taking into account the possibility of obtaining a free ticket for those under 26. The palace is about 30/40 minutes by train from Paris.

Fontainebleau Castle

The Château de Fontainebleau is a grand royal residence located in the town of Fontainebleau, about 55 kilometres southeast of Paris. It is one of the largest and most important châteaux in France, with a history dating back to the 12th century and having served as the residence of numerous French monarchs for over eight centuries.

Vincennes Castle

The Château de Vincennes is a majestic fortress located in the town of Vincennes, east of Paris. With a history dating back to the 12th century, this castle has played a significant role in the military and political history of France, serving as a royal residence, prison, burial place, and home to important state institutions over the centuries.

Reductions on the Entrance Price

Some attractions allow the purchase of a discounted ticket for those under 26. Below are the major attractions:

Tour Eiffel

It is useless to explain what the Eiffel Tower is as a symbol of Paris. In any case, for the more curious, the Eiffel Tower was designed by the engineer Gustave Eiffel and built for the Universal Exhibition of 1889, which celebrated the centenary of the French Revolution. The construction of the tower began in 1887 and was completed in 1889. It is about 330 meters high and has three levels open to the public. The structure is made up of thousands of iron beams, joined together with bolts and screws. The appearance of the tower is slender and light, with a lattice structure that allows light to filter through.

Opéra Garnier

The Opéra Garnier, officially known as the Palais Garnier, is one of the most prestigious and iconic theaters in Paris. The Opéra Garnier is a masterpiece of neo-Baroque architecture, characterized by a sumptuous façade, richly decorated interiors, a grand staircase, a majestic vestibule and an imposing dome. Its beauty and grandeur make it one of the finest examples of an opera house in the world.

• You can buy the reduced ticket at this link. Free ticket for under 12s.

Tour Montparnasse

The Tour Montparnasse is one of the most iconic skyscrapers in Paris. Inaugurated in 1973, the Tour Montparnasse was built as part of an urban redevelopment project for the Montparnasse neighborhood. The tower was designed by architect Jean Saubot and was the tallest tower in Paris (210 meters) until the completion of the Eiffel Tower.

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Explorer's Tales.