Palais de Tokyo
Large Parisian centre for contemporary art housed in a 1937 palace, presenting exhibitions of current art until late in the evening.
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About the museum
The Art Deco building was constructed for the 1937 International Exhibition to designs by the architects Jean-Claude Dondel, André Aubert, Paul Viard and Marcel Dastugue. It has two symmetrical wings linked by a colonnade: the east wing housed the City of Paris museum, the west wing a national museum of modern art.
When the national collections of modern art joined the Centre Pompidou in 1977, the west wing had various uses (storage, a film school), and a project for a film centre was abandoned at the end of the 1990s. The Ministry of Culture then decided to open a venue dedicated to contemporary creation there.
The Palais de Tokyo opened in January 2002. The architects Anne Lacaton and Jean-Philippe Vassal designed the spaces, deliberately left raw, covering about 22,000 m². The venue hosts temporary exhibitions, performances and events, with extended evening opening hours.
Highlights
- Large contemporary art exhibitions across several levels
- Raw architecture of the spaces by Lacaton & Vassal
- Open every day except Tuesday, until midnight on Thursdays
- Mediators in the galleries who talk with visitors
- Bookshop, shop and restaurants in the building
- Founded
- 2002
Admission & discounts
| Adults | €13 |
|---|---|
| Reduced | €9Ages 18–25, students, visitors over 60, members of the Maison des artistes or Agessa, teachers without a Pass Éducation, members of partner institutions; proof must be less than three months old. |
| Children & teens | freefree up to age 17 · Free admission for visitors under 18, with proof. |
| Seniors | €9Reduced rate from age 60. |
| Visitors with disabilities | freecompanion free · Free admission to the exhibitions for visitors with disabilities and their companion. |
| Students & apprentices | €9Reduced rate for students and ages 18–25, with proof. |
| Groups | –Group visits can be booked by calling 01 81 97 35 92 or by email at reservation@palaisdetokyo.com. |
| Guided tour “La Grosse Visite” (in addition to the admission ticket) | €2Saturday 15:00, duration 1 hour |
| “Visites Singulières” tour (in addition to the admission ticket) | €5Thursday 19:00 |
The exhibition ticket gives access to all exhibitions and can be bought online (with a dedicated queue) or on site. Admission is also free for job seekers in France, recipients of minimum social benefits, Pass Éducation holders, journalists and tour guides, with proof. The Tokyopass entitles the holder to the reduced rate for the programme and mediation activities. ANCV holiday vouchers and cultural vouchers (chèques culture) are accepted.
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible
- Elevator
- Accessible restroom: no information
- Accessible parking
- Service dogs welcome: no information
- Tactile models & exhibits
- Sign language tours
- Easy-to-read materials
- Audio description: no information
Access is via a ramp to the left of the main entrance under the colonnade, then by elevator up to level 2. Wheelchairs can be lent on request at the Information & Adhésion desk. Four reserved parking spaces on Place de Tokyo and at the corners of Avenue du Président Wilson with Rue de Galliera and Rue Brignole. Tactile and sensory tours, French Sign Language tours with a Deaf mediator and easy-French (FALC) tours are offered regularly.
Kids & families
Great for kids & families
| Kids’ admission | free up to age 17 |
|---|
- Family tours & workshops
- Hands-on stations
Tok-Tok storytelling for ages 3–5, Petit Tok workshops (ages 3–5), Tok-Tok workshops (ages 6–12) and family workshops from age 5. A Tok-Tok Parade takes place for children from age 5 in each exhibition season.
Getting there & parking
By public transit
Iéna
Metro: line 9 (Iéna or Alma-Marceau). RER C: Pont de l’Alma. Bus: 32, 42, 63, 72, 80, 82, 92. Vélib’ station: Marceau – Président Wilson.
By car
Several car parks nearby; electric vehicle charging points are available in the area.
- Accessible parking
Amenities & dining
- Restaurant
- Museum shop
- Coat check
Restaurants and bookshop (Walther König & Cahiers d’Art) in the building. Baggage storage for bags up to 55 × 35 × 20 cm, after inspection at the entrance; large bags and suitcases are not allowed.
Events & venue rental
- Spaces for rent
- Private parties
- Corporate events
Rentable spaces across several levels (galleries, glass roof, rotunda, terraces) for cocktails, product launches, fashion shows, dinners and seminars. Some spaces are only available between two exhibitions. Contact: evenementiel@palaisdetokyo.com.
Inquiries & detailsPlan your visit
| Guided tours | yes · approx. 60 min |
|---|---|
| School programs | yes |
| Good to know | Mediators are present in the galleries during opening hours, and a mediation desk in the hall offers an introduction to the exhibitions. Guided tours “La Grosse Visite” on Saturdays at 15:00 (1 hour) and “Visites Singulières” on Thursdays at 19:00. A security check is carried out at the entrance. |
