Most Paris museums charge admission, and many are covered by the Paris Museum Pass.

Many are also free on the first Sunday of each month. If you happen to be in Paris on the first Sunday, check the individual site to verify if that's true for any museum you're interested in, and be prepared for large numbers of visitors on those days.

Note: the Louvre only offers free Sundays from October 1 through March 31. Several other monuments, including the Arc de Triomphe, Conciergerie, Panthéon, Rodin, Ste-Chapelle, and the Notre Dame Towers only offer free Sundays from November 1 through March 31.

EU residents under the age of 26 may benefit from free admission at many museums, and children under the age of 18 are often free. Teachers may receive free or reduced admission upon presentation of credentials at some museums. This may not be posted, so ask before buying your tickets.

But some museums—particularly those run by the City of Paris—are free all the time, so you can visit at your leisure. Free admission generally covers only the permanent collections. Special exhibitions may still be subject to an admission charge.

Here are some of the wonderful free museums you can enjoy all the time:

Petit Palais

The lovely Petit Palais is a gem of a museum in a beautiful building, with equally beautiful gardens. Located just across from the Grand Palais in the 8th arrondissement, it has extensive collections of notable works of art from Greek and Roman times to the early 20th century. More...

It's not really petit...except compared to the Grand Palais across the street!

Carnavalet Museum

The Carnavalet Museum, in the Marais, is housed in two adjacent and beautiful hôtels particuliers, or private mansions. This museum focuses on the history of Paris from the 1500s forward and is fascinating. More...

Musée Cognacq-Jay

This small museum, housed in a lovely historic house, is just a few minutes walk from the Carnavalet. It includes mostly art from the 18th century. More...

Musée Antoine Bourdelle

Bourdelle was a sculptor who worked with Rodin and later developed his own works and reputation as a teacher. Many of his works are displayed in this studio-museum. More...

Musée d'Art Moderne

The Musée d'Art Moderne de la Ville de Paris is home to the city's modern art collection. It is located in the Palais de Tokyo, just across the Seine from the Quai Branley Museum and the Eiffel Tower. More...

Maison Victor Hugo

Victor Hugo's home, in the Place des Vosges, is free most of the time, unless there is a special exhibition taking place. The permanent collections include portraits of the writer and his family, as well as a variety of decorative arts. More...

Musée de la Légion d'Honneur

And if you're interested in the Legion of Honor and the various decorations bestowed on leaders and others over the centuries, you'll want to visit the Legion of Honor Museum. It's just across from the Musée D'Orsay. More...

Musée Edith Piaf

This tiny (2 rooms) museum, run by Les Amis d'Édith Piaf, pays homage to this wonderful French singer. Visits are by appointment only and limited in time and number. More...

Atelier Brancusi

Although you do have to pay admission to visit the Centre Pompidou, the Atelier Brancusi, devoted to the works of this artist, is just across the street and is free. More...

There are a number of other smaller museums that are free, such as the former home of Honoré de Balzac or the Palais Galliera, the fashion museum. More...

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