Many Parisian museums located near Olympic Games events or ceremonies must adapt their access accordingly. Here is a summary of what you need to know. However, it is advisable to consult the museum’s website the day before your visit to avoid any inconvenience.
From July 14 to September 8, several events linked to the Olympic Games complicate access to museums.
July 14 and 15: passage of the Olympic flame in Paris
July 18 to 25: preparations for the opening ceremony
July 26: opening ceremony on the Seine.
July 26 to August 11: Paris Olympics
August 28 to September 8: Paris Paralympic Games
Special restrictions apply to the large perimeter of the opening ceremony (on the Seine) during the ceremony itself but also during the preparations (from July 18 to 25). During this period, a Games Pass must be requested on pass-jeux.gouv.fr. It is necessary to access the SILT anti-terrorist protection perimeter (known as the “gray perimeter”). Upon presentation of a reservation, visitors to museums and monuments are authorized to enter the perimeter, after a search and frisking. The museums affected by this measure are indicated below.
Concorde / Tuileries
Place de la Concorde hosts the skateboarding events (July 27-28 and August 6-7), 3×3 basketball (July 30-August 5), BMX freestyle cycling (July 30-31) and breaking (August 9-10). On August 28, it is the setting for the opening ceremony of the Paralympic Games.
Securing the site means it will be closed on July 20 and 26, then August 26 and 28.
The Olympic marathon (August 10 and 11) passes through the streets of Rivoli, the Louvre, the Place de la Bourse, the Palais Garnier, the Place Vendôme, and runs along the Tuileries Gardens.
The Tuilerie (line 1) and Concorde (line 1, line 8 and line 12) stations are closed until September 21.
Jeu de Paume Museum
It has been completely closed since May 12 and reopens on September 28.
Orangerie Museum
The museum is closed on July 20, 25 and 26 and August 26 and 28. Reservations are required between July 15 and September 1. Access is from the garden side, south of the octagonal pool. Only spectators of the events and Paris 2024 staff can access the museum without reservation.
From July 18 to 24, visitors must present a QR Code to access this area categorized as “SILT”. The reservation serves as proof when requesting the visitors’ QR Code online.
Marine Hotel and Al Thani Collection
The Hôtel de la Marine is open during the Olympic Games except on July 26 and August 28.
From July 27 to August 10, 2024, access to the site is only via 2 rue Royale.
Louvre Museum
The museum is open during the Olympic Games except on July 25 and 26. There is no late opening on Wednesday, July 24. Please note: the Louvre Museum may be closed on August 3 and 4 (cycling event) and August 10 and 11 (marathon).
Reservation is required from July 1st to September 8th.
Please note that the Louvre is located in the SILT zone from July 18 to 26, and only a ticket reservation will allow access.
Orsay Museum
The museum is open during the Olympic Games at the usual times, except on July 20, 25 and 26. No late opening on Thursday evenings from July 18 to August 15.
Reservation required from July 18 to 26. The 5th floor terrace is reopened at the beginning of August.
Museum of Decorative Arts
The museum is closed on July 26, August 2, 3, 4, 10, 11, 28 and Sunday September 8.
In the SILT zone from July 18 to July 26, reservation required
Small palace
The museum is open throughout the summer, especially during the Olympic Games. It is closed on Sunday, July 14 in the morning, on the occasion of the passage of the Olympic flame, and reopens its doors at 2 p.m. On Friday, July 26, it is only open in the morning, until 2 p.m.
Chaillot Hill
From Thursday 18 July to Sunday 21 July, access to the Trocadéro area requires the presentation of the Games Pass and the Trocadéro metro station is closed. The Trocadéro square is on the route of the road cycling event and hosts the start of the walking events.
Maritime Museum
The museum remains open during the Olympic Games. It will be closed exceptionally on Sunday 14 July and during the preparations for the opening ceremony from Monday 22 to Friday 26 July. There is no late opening on Thursdays 1 and 8 August.
Museum of human
Although it is next to the Musée de la Marine, the Musée de l’Homme will be closed from Saturday, July 20 to Tuesday, August 13. It will host the studio of the France Télévision teams on its roof.
City of Architecture and Heritage
The City remains open during the Olympic Games. It is exceptionally closed on Sunday 14 and Monday 15 July, on the occasion of the passage of the Olympic flame, and from Wednesday 24 to Friday 27 July for preparations for the opening ceremony. There is no late opening on Thursdays during the Olympic Games.
Galliera Palace
The Palais Galliera is open throughout the summer. It is exceptionally closed on Friday, July 26 from 2 p.m.
Guimet Museum
The museum remains open during the Olympic Games. It is exceptionally closed on July 26 for the opening ceremony.
Tokyo Palace
The Palais de Tokyo does not organize an exhibition during the Olympic Games. The Palais hosts Clubhouse 24, a welcoming and convivial space for Games spectators.
MAM Paris
The Musée d’art moderne de Paris is open all summer. On Friday, July 26, it is exceptionally closed to the public all day. From July 18 to 25, online reservations are required for the museum’s permanent collections in order to allow visitors to obtain a Pass Jeux, which is necessary to access the museum.
Invalides / Champ-de-mars
The Esplanade des Invalides hosts the archery events, and the Champ-de-Mars hosts the beach volleyball events.
Quai Branly Museum
The museum is open during the Olympic Games. It is exceptionally closed on Thursday 25 and Friday 26 July. The entrance at 37 Quai Branly is closed from 18 to 24 July and access to the museum is via rue de l’Université. The museum is suspending its late-night openings from 16 July to 8 September.
Army museum
The Army Museum is open during the Olympic Games, every day and without change of hours.
Versailles
The castle remains open on the usual days and times, except on Tuesday 23 July when it closes from 2:30 pm for the passage of the flame, but the Cour d’honneur, the Place d’Armes and the gardens remain accessible. Part of the park is closed to the public until 15 September. On 27 and 28 July, the entire area around the Grand Canal is closed to the public due to the cross-country events.
The Place d’Armes car park is closed on August 3, 10 and 11.
The Château de Versailles Estate is the setting for the equestrian events (from July 27 to August 6), the modern pentathlon (from August 8 to 11) and the para-equestrian events from September 3 to 7.
Versailles hosts road cycling on August 3 and 4 and the marathon on August 10 and 11.
