How busy is the Musée d'Art Moderne de Paris?
The MAM is the City of Paris's modern art museum, in the east wing of the Palais de Tokyo, an Art Deco building facing the Seine and the Eiffel Tower. Its collection of more than 15,000 works of 20th- and 21st-century art is free to see, which means the permanent galleries are never queued for: you walk in.
Crowds depend on the exhibition programme. A major retrospective can bring weekend queues and full time slots, especially in its last few weeks; between big shows the museum is calm. The free collection rooms are busiest on rainy weekend afternoons.
Crowds by time of day and week
Crowds by day and time
From the typical weekly visitor pattern for Musée d'Art Moderne de Paris, based on Google’s popular-times data.
Least busy time
Wednesday, 10 am-3 pm
Busiest time
Saturday, 11 am-5 pm
Tickets: what's free and what's paid
Exhibition prices vary from show to show, so check the current price on mam.paris.fr. The Paris Musées membership card gives unlimited access to exhibitions at the City of Paris museums, which can pay off if you'll see several.
Some collection rooms close for rehangs
Parts of the permanent collection close from time to time for rehangs and exhibition installations. If there's a specific work you want to see, check the museum's site or ask at the desk.
How to skip the queue
- For the free collection, there's nothing to skip. Just walk in.
- For a popular exhibition, buy a timed ticket on the official site as soon as you know your dates. That's the only way to skip the ticket line, and the last weekends sell out.
- Thursday evenings are the best-kept secret: exhibitions stay open until 9:30 pm, and the crowds thin out after 7 pm.
- Avoid weekend afternoons if you haven't booked.
What to see in the free collection
Raoul Dufy, La Fée Électricité
One of the largest paintings in the world: a curved room wrapped in a panorama telling the story of electricity, painted for the Paris International Exhibition in the 1930s. Give it time and walk the full length.
Henri Matisse, La Danse
The museum holds Matisse's monumental La Danse murals, early versions of the dance mural made for the Barnes Foundation, shown in a dedicated room.
Modern masters and contemporary art
Cubism, Fauvism and the School of Paris (Picasso, Braque, Delaunay, Modigliani, Bonnard), then postwar and contemporary art including Yves Klein. Expect a changing selection rather than a fixed route.
An hour is enough for the collection highlights; add one or two hours for an exhibition.
Getting there
The museum is at 11 avenue du Président Wilson (16th arrondissement). The closest Metro stations are Iéna and Alma-Marceau (both line 9), each about 5 minutes' walk; RER C stops at Pont de l'Alma across the river.
Is it worth it?
Yes. It's one of the best free things to do in Paris: a serious modern art collection with two showstoppers in Dufy and Matisse, rarely crowded, ten minutes from the Eiffel Tower. Whether to pay for the exhibition depends on what's on; the free collection alone is worth the detour.
FAQs
Is the Musée d'Art Moderne de Paris free?
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Yes, the permanent collection is free for everyone and needs no booking. Temporary exhibitions are paid, and free for under 18s.
What are the opening hours of the Musée d'Art Moderne de Paris?
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Tuesday to Sunday, 10 am to 6 pm. It's closed on Mondays. Temporary exhibitions stay open until 9:30 pm on Thursdays.
How much are exhibitions at the Musée d'Art Moderne de Paris?
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It varies by show. Major exhibitions have cost around €15-17 full price, with reduced rates and free entry for under 18s.
Do I need to book the Musée d'Art Moderne de Paris?
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Not for the free collection. For a popular exhibition, book a timed ticket online, especially for weekends.
Where is La Fée Électricité?
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See how busy it is right now and the quietest hours for your date, then walk in when the line is short.
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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.
