In Paris, the most notable places closed on Tuesdays are major museums like the Louvre, Centre Pompidou, Musée de l'Orangerie, and Musée de Cluny, alongside others like the Musée de la Marine, Cité de l'Architecture, and Galerie de Minéralogie; while Mondays often see closures for places like the Musée d'Orsay and Rodin Museum, Tuesdays are a common day for many national museums to close for weekly maintenance. Always check official websites, as closing days vary, though Tuesdays consistently hit many cultural sites.
Many museums, monuments and other tourist attractions regularly close one day a week. While planning your sightseeing in Paris, keep in mind that many museums are closed on Mondays or Tuesdays. Versailles, the Musée d'Orsay, Musée Carnavalet and the Musée Rodin, to mention just a few are closed on Mondays.
Museums opended on a Tuesday near Paris center
The Air and Space Museum is a museum dedicated to aviation as well as aerospace. The various exhibition halls retrace the air and space epic era. You can see planes from the First World War. This museum appeals to both young and old!
Ultimately, the Tuesday closure acts as a vital “reset” button for the entire institution. It's the day when the museum can exhale, address the wear and tear of the previous week, and prepare meticulously for the next six days of public engagement.
In Paris, restaurants are traditionally closed on Mondays.
The museum - which is closed on Tuesdays for maintenance - said it welcomed 8.7 million visitors in 2024.
Musée du Louvre
Public holidays: the Louvre is closed on 1 January, 1 May and 25 December. It remains open on all other public holidays unless they fall on a Tuesday, the museum's day of closure. The Cour Napoléon is open from 7.30 a.m. to 9 p.m. The Cour Carrée is open from 7.30 a.m. to 7.45 p.m.
Admission is free for all visitors on the first Friday of the month after 6 p.m. (except in July and August) and on 14 July (unless it falls on a Tuesday, when the museum is closed).
Open every day except Mondays, from 9:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. The Musée d'Orsay is free for people under 18, 18-25 EU and for everyone on the first Sunday of the month.
Sunday and public holidays are the usual closing days, although there are some exceptions ... During the week, department stores all have one late-night opening day, known as a 'nocturne', until 9pm. Supermarkets are open at different times depending on the neighbourhood, every day except Sunday, until 8, 9 or 10pm.
The best light for photography in general is early in the morning and late in the afternoon. This is what we call the golden hour. That being said, the weather in Paris is unpredictable and most of the time the sky is covered, which makes any time of the day great for photos.
Tuesday is the busiest day as the Louvre is closed, diverting traffic to Versailles. The palace is closed Mondays, making these surrounding days particularly chaotic.
MUSEUM VISITS IN PARIS Museums in Paris are generally closed one day a week (usually Monday or Tuesday) and on certain public holidays; check in advance to be certain that the museums you want to visit are open on the day you plan to go.
Top Things to Do in Paris. Snap a pic at the Eiffel Tower, wander around the Louvre, take a day trip to Versailles, or try a sightseeing tour to uncover even more art, history, and undeniable charm. For personalized recommendations, try our AI trip-planning product.
In France, most museums are free on the first Sunday of every month! From the Louvre in Paris to the Mucem in Marseille, it's the perfect excuse to soak up some culture without spending a cent!
Museums open on Tuesdays in Paris
Starry Night, the emblematic masterpiece by Vincent van Gogh housed at the Musée d'Orsay, represents the culmination of a fascinating artistic quest.
Best time to visit the The Louvre Museum
As the museum remains closed on Tuesdays, you will most probably find a larger crowd on Wednesdays. Hence, for the best experience, you should consider Mondays and Thursdays to explore the renowned art collection of the Louvre Museum.
It is closed on Tuesdays.
You can't visit the Louvre on that day, but it's only to ensure that your visit is as enjoyable as possible, as it is on that day that all of the maintenance and restoration work is done and new works are installed. The museum does not close at lunchtime.
Free attractions in Paris
Around 3PM is prime time.
Primarily, perhaps, because a lot of tourists are unaware it's an option. Roll up at 6PM and enjoy visiting the sainted Mona Lisa in relative peace and quiet. Top tip: the first Sunday of every month is free during the quieter autumn and winter season.
If you want a slightly quieter experience: • Wednesday or Friday evenings are usually less crowded, as the Louvre stays open late on those days. Early mornings (right at opening) are also a good strategy to avoid crowds. Paris Travel Guide 2025 by Brian C.
The "Big Three" at the Louvre Museum are its most famous masterpieces that most visitors prioritize: Leonardo da Vinci's Mona Lisa, the ancient Greek sculpture Venus de Milo, and the Hellenistic sculpture Winged Victory of Samothrace (Nike of Samothrace). These iconic works, representing painting, sculpture, and dynamic artistry, draw massive crowds and are considered must-sees for first-time visitors.
Can I view the Mona Lisa any day of the week? Barring any technical issues, the Mona Lisa room is open to visitors every day; however, your visiting time may be limited if the room is particularly busy. Museum reception and security staff will inform you of any such limitations.