Tours and activities for international visitors

Short guided tours in English this Christmas

19 December 2026 – 3 January 2027, on museum opening days

Join our short guided tours in English to discover the collections, step into the world of castles and knights, or enjoy views of Paris as the city lights come on.

11:30 am — Highlights of the collections
Discover a selection of remarkable works with a museum guide. An introduction for first-time visitors, with different highlights to explore.

3 pm — Castles and knights
Step into the world of medieval castles and knights, and discover the stories behind the works on display.

5 pm — Paris in lights
Discover Paris’s famous landmarks with your guide and enjoy stunning views of the Eiffel Tower and the city skyline from the museum as evening falls.

All three tours are included with museum admission.

A journey through France’s most beautiful monuments

Discover France’s remarkable landmarks without leaving Paris. From medieval cathedrals to Le Corbusier’s modern buildings, explore more than a thousand years of history through spectacular full-size reproductions, monumental sculptures and detailed models.

Step inside recreated chapels to admire colourful medieval wall paintings, then discover how modern homes and cities have transformed everyday life. Explore the three galleries at your own pace, with views of the Eiffel Tower along the way.

Explore at your own pace with an audio guide

Prefer to discover the museum independently? Follow the Architectural Treasures audio guide for a journey through France’s regions, from the Middle Ages to the present day.

The audio guide is available in English, French and Chinese, and the route takes approximately 90 minutes. The audio guide costs €5, in addition to museum admission, and can be purchased online or at the museum. Devices are available from reception.

Play and create as a family

Discover the museum with a family activity trail

Turn your visit into a shared adventure with a fun, interactive booklet. Discover 17 museum highlights through observation games, puzzles and creative activities. Look closely, explore together and enjoy a playful journey through French landmarks.

Included with museum admission.

Build your own paper landmarks

Get creative with paper models inspired by famous buildings. Assemble your own miniature landmarks and take home a souvenir of your visit.

Included with museum admission.

Contemporary art meets French heritage

Discover the collections from a different perspective as contemporary artworks meet historic sculptures and monuments. Until 3 January 2027, three exhibitions are on show in the museum.

Kennedy Yanko  

American artist Kennedy Yanko transforms reclaimed metal and flowing layers of paint into bold, colourful sculptures. Created especially for the museum, her works stand alongside monumental casts, inviting you to explore surprising connections between old and new, solid structures and fluid shapes.

François Morellet  

Discover a leading figure of French geometric abstraction, known for his humour and playful approach to lines, light and space. The exhibition brings together nearly forty works, including three monumental pieces within the permanent collections. Look again: familiar perspectives become a playground for the imagination.

Ma Kelu  

For his first exhibition in France, Shanghai-born painter Ma Kelu brings his poetic abstract works into the museum’s gallery of wall paintings. Shaped by his experience in China and New York, his paintings evoke drifting clouds and floating forms. Discover how their colours and movement echo the medieval paintings around them.

Frequently asked questions

What are the must-see sights near the Cité?

The Cité de l’architecture et du patrimoine is located at Trocadéro, across the Seine from the Eiffel Tower and within walking distance of the Arc de Triomphe.

The Cité itself is a must-see for discovering France’s remarkable landmarks in one place. Explore full-size reproductions, medieval wall paintings and detailed models. It is a journey through France without leaving Paris.

Can I visit the museum in English?
Yes. Explore independently with the Architectural Treasures audio guide in English, or join the short guided tours in English offered during the Christmas holidays, from 19 December 2026 to 3 January 2027, on museum opening days.

Is the museum suitable for families with children?
Yes. Families can explore 17 museum highlights with an activity booklet featuring observation games, puzzles and creative activities. Available in English, French and Chinese, the trail takes approximately 1–1.5 hours and is included with museum admission. Paper model activities offer another way to discover French landmarks together.

Is the Cité a good place to visit as a couple?
Enjoy a cultural break together near the Eiffel Tower. Explore the collections and contemporary art exhibitions at your own pace, then admire the Paris skyline. During the Christmas holidays, the “Paris in lights” guided tour introduces the city’s landmarks as evening falls.

Is the museum open on Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve?
On 24 and 31 December 2026, the museum opens at 11 am and closes early at 5 pm. The ticket office closes at 4 pm. The museum is closed on 25 December and 1 January.

Can I visit the museum on a Monday?
Yes. The museum normally opens on Mondays from 11 am to 7 pm. It is closed on Tuesdays. Check the practical information page for public holiday closures and exceptional changes before your visit.

Where can we eat after a museum visit?
For a meal together after your visit, discover Girafe, the seafood restaurant located within the Cité. Check the restaurant’s website for opening hours, menus and reservations.