Paris · Champs-Élysées & west · Art museum

Petit Palais: Free Art Collection and Exhibition Tickets

The Petit Palais is one of the easiest art stops to add to a Paris day: its permanent collection is free to enter without booking, while temporary exhibitions have separate tickets.

By the AllTrips Editorial Team · September 28, 2026

Petit Palais façade with its central dome and colonnade on Avenue Winston-Churchill — The Petit Palais façade, facing the Grand Palais across Avenue Winston-Churchill.

Petit Palais at a glance

Area: Avenue Winston-Churchill, near the Champs-Élysées. Allow: around 1–2 hours, longer for an exhibition. Entry: permanent collection free without reservation; temporary exhibitions paid. Nearby: Grand Palais, Pont Alexandre III and the Champs-Élysées.

The Petit Palais is the City of Paris Museum of Fine Arts. Its grand building was created for the 1900 Exposition Universelle, and its galleries bring together art across different periods. The architecture is part of the visit: pause under the vaulted ceilings before moving into the collection rooms.

What can you see?

Browse the permanent fine-arts collection at your own pace, taking in paintings, sculpture and decorative art. The airy interior shown below gives an idea of the museum's architecture, but displays change. If a particular artwork or temporary show matters to you, check the museum's current programme rather than assuming it will be on view.

The museum's garden is also free to access during museum opening hours, according to its official visitor page. It can be a welcome pause after the galleries; the café is optional.

Free collection or paid exhibition?

You do not need a ticket for the permanent collection. The museum states that entry is free and requires no reservation. Temporary exhibitions are paid and the museum strongly recommends reserving those in advance. Check the official exhibition listing to see what is actually running on your date before buying through any seller.

Official museum information

Free collection and current exhibitions

Confirm free entry, accessibility, hours and the current exhibition programme directly with the museum.

Official visitor information

Optional booking · affiliate link

Petit Palais on Tiqets

See separately priced exhibitions or experiences if listed. Check the exact offer; this is not needed for the free permanent collection.

Check exhibition options on Tiqets

The Tiqets button is an affiliate link: AllTrips may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. You can visit the permanent collection for free without using it.

Planning your visit

The official page lists the museum at Avenue Winston-Churchill, 75008 Paris. At the September 2026 review it listed opening Tuesday–Sunday, 10:00–18:00, with Friday and Saturday evening openings for temporary exhibitions only. Permanent collection last entry was listed as 17:15; exhibition last entry was earlier. The museum also lists holiday closures, so check the latest hours and access notices on the official site before you go.

Large luggage is not allowed; lockers are available for smaller bags. If you want a temporary exhibition, reserve that specifically and leave enough time for the free collection rather than assuming one ticket covers every room.

Petit Palais in photos

Vaulted exhibition gallery inside the Petit Palais with paintings, sculpture and display cases — A vaulted gallery inside the Petit Palais. The works on display may change.

What is nearby?

The Champs-Élysées is close by, as are Pont Alexandre III and the Grand Palais. The Grand Palais is a separate venue with its own programme and admission; do not mistake a ticket for one museum as entry to the other.

Aerial view of the Grand Palais glass roof near the Seine, a separate museum venue opposite Petit Palais — Nearby, not inside the Petit Palais: the Grand Palais is a separate building across Avenue Winston-Churchill.

Frequently asked questions

Is the Petit Palais free?

Yes. Admission to the permanent collections is free and does not require a reservation, according to the museum. Temporary exhibitions are separately ticketed.

Do I need to book the free collection?

No. The official visitor page says the permanent collections are free with no reservation. Check the museum site before visiting for any exceptional changes.

What does the Tiqets link offer?

It opens Tiqets' Petit Palais destination page with optional paid ticket and experience listings. Check the exact exhibition and inclusions before paying; you do not need it for the permanent collection.

When is the Petit Palais open?

At the September 2026 review, the official visitor page listed Tuesday to Sunday, 10:00–18:00 for the museum, with a later Friday and Saturday opening for temporary exhibitions only. It also lists closure dates and last-admission times; recheck before travel.

Is the Grand Palais in the third photo the Petit Palais?

No. The third photo shows the Grand Palais from above. It is a nearby, separate venue across Avenue Winston-Churchill; check its own programme and admission separately.

Official sources and visitor information

Reviewed September 2026. Opening times, displays and optional exhibition tickets can change; check the museum directly before travel.