How busy is the Jeu de Paume?
The building is a 19th-century real-tennis court (*jeu de paume*) at the Concorde end of the Tuileries, a mirror of the Orangerie at the other corner of the terrace. It's much smaller and less visited than the Louvre or Orsay, and most days you walk straight in. How busy it gets depends almost entirely on what's showing: a big-name photographer draws queues at weekends, a challenging video show leaves the rooms half-empty.
Crowds by time of day and week
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Tickets and prices
The Jeu de Paume also offers free entry for young visitors and students on the last Tuesday of the month; check the official admission page for exactly who qualifies before you rely on it. Tickets are once bought.
How to skip the queue
There's no fast-track product. Booking a ticket on the official site means you skip the ticket desk, which is where any queue forms. Beyond that, timing does the work.
- Book on billetterie.jeudepaume.org for weekends and the final weeks of a popular show.
- Go at 11 am on a weekday, or after 6 pm on a Tuesday, when the late opening is usually quiet.
- Use the cloakroom for anything bigger than a handbag. It takes luggage up to cabin size (55 × 35 × 25 cm); for bigger cases the nearest left-luggage is at 33 rue Godot de Mauroy.
- Keep your ticket. You can leave for lunch and come back the same day by showing it.
What you'll see
The Jeu de Paume shows modern and contemporary photography, film and video, from historical masters to living artists, usually with two exhibitions running at once across the ground and upper floors. It also runs an online programme of digital commissions, and screenings, talks and seminars (some charged separately).
The building has its own history: before the Musée d'Orsay opened, it housed the national collection of Impressionist paintings, and during the Occupation the Nazis used it as a depot for art looted from Jewish collectors, a story told in the film *The Monuments Men*.
A visit takes an hour to an hour and a half. The Café Paumier and its terrace overlook the Tuileries (closed Mondays).
Visitor tips
Families
Pushchairs are allowed in the exhibitions, and children's scooters and folding bikes can go in a locker if they fit. Some photography shows include difficult subject matter, so check the exhibition page if you're bringing children.
Accessibility
All areas are accessible to people with reduced mobility, and disabled visitors and a companion are free with priority access. An access map is on the official accessibility page.
Young visitors and students
If you're 19-25 or a student, visit Tuesday to Friday for the €7.50 rate, or look into the €20 Pass Image if you'll come back for the next show.
Getting there
The address is 1 place de la Concorde, inside the Jardin des Tuileries (1st arrondissement). Take Metro lines 1, 8 or 12 to Concorde and use exit 1; the entrance is up on the terrace on your left as you go into the garden. Buses 42, 72, 73, 84 and 94 stop nearby, and there are Vélib' stations on rue Cambon and place de la Madeleine.
Is the Jeu de Paume worth it?
Yes if photography or video art interests you and the current show appeals: it's one of Paris's most respected venues for both, and much calmer than the big museums. It's not the place for a general sightseeing stop, since there's no permanent collection. If you only have time for one museum on the Tuileries, most first-time visitors choose the Orangerie.
FAQs
How much does the Jeu de Paume cost?
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€14 full price and €9.50 reduced. Students and 19-25 year olds pay €7.50 from Tuesday to Friday.
Is the Jeu de Paume open on Mondays?
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No. It's open Tuesday 11 am to 9 pm and Wednesday to Sunday 11 am to 7 pm. It's also closed on 1 January, 1 May, 14 July and 25 December, and closes at 5 pm on 24 and 31 December.
Is the Jeu de Paume free?
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Not for most visitors. It's free for disabled visitors and one companion, jobseekers and social-benefit recipients, and the official admission page lists a free last Tuesday of the month for some young visitors and students.
Is the Jeu de Paume included in the Paris Museum Pass?
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The Jeu de Paume doesn't list the Paris Museum Pass on its admission page, so expect to buy a ticket.
What is at the Jeu de Paume?
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Heading to Jeu de Paume?
See how busy it is right now and the quietest hours for your date, then walk in when the line is short.
Check live crowds →Sources
How we research: every guide is written by the BeatTheCrowd team from official sources and recent traveller reports, cross-checked against each other, and dated so you know how fresh it is. Last checked 10 November 2026. Prices and rules change, so always confirm on the official site before you book.
