Is there a queue at the Palais de Tokyo?
Usually not much of one. The Palais de Tokyo is a huge, raw contemporary art centre in the west wing of a monumental 1930s palace facing the Seine. It doesn't have a permanent collection, so it doesn't draw the bucket-list crowds of the Louvre or Orsay. Visitors spread out across raw concrete halls on several levels, and the galleries rarely feel packed.
Queues do form at three times: the opening weekend of a new season, weekend afternoons when Parisians come for one show and lunch, and events, such as performances and late-night parties, that bring in a younger crowd. Everyone passes a security check at the entrances, and that's where you'll wait if anywhere.
🔑 Free skip-the-line hack
Go when it’s quiet: see live crowds and the hourly forecast.
Tickets, prices and who gets in free
For reduced or free entry you need proof less than three months old, so bring a student card or ID. The online ticket is valid for one day during the current season. You don't pick a time slot, which makes it more flexible than most Paris museums.
The neighbour discount
The Musée d'Art Moderne de Paris is in the other wing of the same palace. Show a ticket from there dated the same day and you pay the €9 reduced price at the Palais de Tokyo. The museum's permanent collection is free, but you'll need a ticket from a paid exhibition. Members of partner institutions such as the Bourse de Commerce and the Musée du quai Branly also qualify.
How to skip the ticket line
- Buy online on the official ticketing site the morning of your visit. Tickets are day tickets, so there's no slot to miss.
- Arrive before 4 pm at weekends. The weekend wave peaks mid-afternoon.
- Don't cut it fine at night. Ticket desks and machines stop selling 45 minutes before closing, and staff start clearing the building about 15 minutes before closing time.
- Check the season is open. Shows are installed in seasons, and online tickets only work while the current season is running. Changeover periods can mean fewer spaces open.
What's on: the current season
The new season, "All Fires, the Flowers", opened on 21 October around the idea of territory. It brings together several solo shows and a group exhibition:
- Sonia Gomes, "Cœur sauvage": textile sculptures by the Brazilian artist (until 14 February).
- Ali Cherri, "Today is OK" (until 14 February).
- Rose Lowder: experimental films, including "La Source de la Loire" (until 14 February).
- Paul Kodjo, "Photoromance": photography (until 14 February).
- Valérie John, "I telman nwè ki i blé" (until 14 February).
- "Toi et ta bande": a group show on making art outside big cities (until 14 February).
- Céleste Richard-Zimmermann, "Not all columns have a heart of stone" (until 10 January).
Expect large installations, video and work that's still being argued about. If you like your art framed on a wall, the Musée d'Art Moderne next door is the better fit.
Planning your route
The building is a maze of levels, mezzanines and staircases, and it's easy to miss a whole show. Check the plan of the current season at the entrance before you set off. A good approach:
- Start with the films and video works, which need time, while you're fresh. Note their running times so you can plan around them.
- Then do the large-scale installations, which you can take in quickly.
- Finish on the forecourt, which looks across the Seine to the Eiffel Tower.
The whole building is step-free. Wheelchairs can be borrowed at reception, and guides adapted for visitors with intellectual or visual impairments are available on request.
Eating and drinking
- Café du Palais, in the main hall, for simple, healthy food.
- Monsieur Bleu, on the Seine side, a smarter restaurant with a view of the Eiffel Tower.
- Bambini, a lively Italian restaurant with a big terrace in summer.
The late opening hours make the Palais de Tokyo an unusual Paris museum: you can look at the art at 9 pm on a Thursday and then stay for dinner. Book Monsieur Bleu or Bambini ahead on weekend evenings.
Getting there
The address is 13 avenue du Président Wilson, 75116, between the Trocadéro and the Pont de l'Alma.
- Metro: Iéna or Alma-Marceau, both line 9.
- RER: Pont de l'Alma (line C), across the river.
- Bus: 32, 42, 63, 72, 80 and 92.
- Accessible parking: marked bays at the corners of Rue de Galliera and Rue de Brignole with Avenue du Président Wilson.
FAQs
How much does the Palais de Tokyo cost?
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€13 full price and €9 reduced for 18-25s, students, over 60s and some others. Under-18s, jobseekers in France and disabled visitors with a companion get in free with proof.
Is the Palais de Tokyo closed on Tuesdays?
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Yes. Tuesday is the weekly closing day. It's also closed on 1 January, 1 May and 25 December.
What time does the Palais de Tokyo close?
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10 pm on Monday, Wednesday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday, and midnight on Thursday. Ticket sales stop 45 minutes before closing.
Do I need to book the Palais de Tokyo in advance?
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It isn't essential on most days. An online ticket saves time at the desk and is valid for one day, with no fixed slot. Buy ahead for opening weekends and events.
Is the Palais de Tokyo free?
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Heading to Palais de Tokyo?
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 11 November 2026. Prices and rules change, so always confirm on the official site before you book.
