Visitor rules
The museums of the City of Paris carry out a public service mission consisting of conserving, exhibiting and making acquisitions to enrich a rare, precious heritage that belongs to the community. They enable everyone to access knowledge about this heritage and enjoy the pleasure of discovering it.
All the objects on display in the museums are unique objects which, in many cases, are several centuries old and must be preserved intact for future generations. Touching them, even very lightly, can cause damage.
The mission of the museum staff is to welcome visitors, provide information, ensure that the tours and events run smoothly and ensure the safety of people, property and buildings. They are in charge of making sure these rules are upheld, under the authority of the museum director.
Each visitor is asked to follow the protection and safety measures and help keep the museum a pleasant place to visit.
Article 1
These rules apply to:
- visitors to the museums of the City of Paris
- people and groups who are authorised to occupy the premises for meetings, receptions, conferences, concerts, shows and various events, without prejudice to any special arrangements they may be notified of
- any person external to the department who is present in the establishment, even for business reasons
Conditions of access
Article 2
The museums are open every day from 10 am to 6 pm, except Mondays and bank holidays, subject to special arrangements in certain establishments. The museum director may decide, in agreement with the director of cultural affairs, to change these opening times for exceptional events.
Article 3
Access to the permanent collections is free.
However, the following are not free:
- Palais Galliera – fashion museum of the City of Paris, where the collections are displayed in temporary exhibitions, and at Hauteville House, Victor Hugo’s house while in exile in Guernsey, where the collections are displayed to visitors on guided tours
- at the Catacombs and the Archaeological Crypt of Notre-Dame Square, site museums
- in museums where a temporary exhibition occupies the spaces reserved for the collections
Article 4
There is a fee for access to the temporary exhibitions and educational and cultural activities. The various applicable rates, concessions and exemptions are set by deliberation of the municipal council.
Article 5
Admission to and circulation within the museum are subject to possession of a valid entry ticket:
- paid-for or free ticket issued at the till
- card issued by an approved authority
- booking certificate for groups
Visitors must keep this ticket with them as they may be asked to present it at any time.
A pass issued by the museum management team is required for access to areas which are not open to the public, and access outside of normal opening times.
Article 6
Wheelchair tours are possible in museums which are fully or partly adapted to enable people with reduced mobility to travel around the museum.
The museum shall not be held liable for any damage caused to any third party by these vehicles or their occupants.
Article 7
Visitors are prohibited from bringing objects into the museum which threaten the safety of people, works of art or the building, due to their intended use or characteristics, in particular:
- weapons and ammunition
- explosive, inflammable or volatile substances
- all heavy, bulky or nausea-inducing objects
- animals, except for guide animals for people with a recognised disability
Visitors who refuse to comply with the provisions of this article shall be denied access to the museum.
Article 8
Visitors may only use mobile telephones, consume food and drink, and smoke within the specially designated areas in each establishment.
The cloakroom
Article 9
For the comfort of visitors, subject to particular arrangements at certain museums, a cloakroom is provided free of charge for visitors. Visitors receive a token when leaving an item in the cloakroom. Tips are not allowed.
The cloakroom is for museum visitors only.
Article 10
Visitors must leave the following items in the cloakroom in order to gain access to the museum rooms:
- walking sticks and crutches, except those required by elderly or disabled people
- umbrellas, unless they can be stored folded in a garment or handbag
- any sharp, cutting or blunt objects
- bags and objects where one of the dimensions exceeds 40 centimetres
- motorcycle helmets
- camera tripods and stands
- works of art or facsimiles, moulds and posters
- baby buggies during busy times.
Article 11
The following may not be left in the cloakroom:
- sums of money
- identity documents
- chequebooks and credit cards
- valuables such as jewellery, cameras and video cameras.
Article 12
If an item or group of items deposited under a single number is lost, stolen or damaged, the visitor may claim compensation subject to producing the necessary evidence, in accordance with the procedures in force in the City of Paris.
The museum shall not be held liable for the theft of any items that are not left in the cloakroom.
Article 13
Our cloakroom staff accept items subject to cloakroom capacity. They may temporarily refuse to accept large items during busy periods.
Article 14
For safety reasons, owners may be asked to open their bags or packets before being allowed to deposit them in the cloakroom. Cloakroom staff may refuse to accept any items which they deem to compromise the security of the establishment.
Article 15
Any item deposited in the cloakroom must be collected on the same day, before the exhibition closes. If the token is lost, items can only be collected when the museum closes. Items not collected by closing time are considered lost property.
Article 16
Items found in the museum are handed in to the cloakroom and then transferred after one month to the central lost property service at the Police Station, 36 rue des Morillons, 75015 Paris.
Proper use of the museum
Article 17
In order to maintain a peaceful environment for museum visitors and enable the events held there to run smoothly, visitors are asked to avoid disturbing others with their attitude, attire or comments.
Article 18
Visitors are prohibited from conducting surveys on the premises of the establishment, or engaging in any trade, advertising or propaganda.
Permission from the museum director is required for any visitor surveys or opinion polls.
Article 19
Any action liable to endanger the safety of people, property and buildings is strictly prohibited.
To protect the collections, the following in particular are prohibited:
- touching the works of art and décor, leaning on the display cases, stands and other display units
- stepping over the obstacles designed to protect the works of art and décor
- spraying graffiti, putting up posters, and leaving marks or dirt on the works of art and décor
Article 20
For the common good, visitors must follow the recommendations and instructions given to them by the staff. If they fail to do so, they may be ordered to leave the museum, which they must do without delay.
Instructions relating to the safety of people, property and buildings
Article 21
For safety reasons, staff may ask visitors to open their bags and parcels at any time, and present their content at the entrance or exit, and anywhere on museum premises.
Article 22
Any items of luggage, bags and closed parcels, or other objects appearing to present a risk that are left in the cloakroom may be destroyed without delay or prior notice by the competent services, for safety reasons.
Article 23
Visitors can help make the museum a safer place by reporting any accident or abnormal event to reception or security staff.
Article 24
If the building needs to be evacuated, this shall be done in an orderly, disciplined manner, led by museum staff and following the instructions given by the latter.
Article 25
In the event of accident or illness, the sick or injured person may not be moved or given a drink or any medication until the emergency services arrive.
If a doctor, nurse or first-aider is among the visitors and intervenes, they are asked to present their professional card or authorisation card and stay with the sick or injured person until they are removed from the premises. They are invited to leave their name and address with the museum staff member who is present at the scene.
Article 26
If a fire starts, the incident must be reported immediately:
1. Verbally, to a security guard
2. Using “break glass” boxes which are distributed throughout the premises and connected to the Control Station, in establishments where these are available.
Article 27
All museum visitors are invited to raise the alarm if they see a work of art being moved or removed in a suspicious manner.
In accordance with article R. 642-1 of the Penal Code, all visitors are obliged to assist museum staff if required.
In the case of attempted theft, emergency measures may be taken, including closing the entrance doors and controlling exits, for as long as is required to carry out the necessary investigations.
Article 28
During times of overcrowding, unrest, strikes, staff shortages, or any situation liable to compromise the safety or people or property, the museum may be closed in full or in part, or opening times may be changed.
The museum director or their representative may take any measures imposed by the circumstances.
Article 29
All lost children are entrusted to a museum staff member, who accompanies them to reception. If a child has not been joined by their family by closing time, they are taken to the closest police station.
Provisions relating to the gardens, peristyles and courtyards
Article 30
Visitors are prohibited from threatening or endangering the safety of people and property, in particular:
- climbing
- engaging in races, shoving, sliding and climbing;
- obstructing the circulation of visitors;
- practising exercises or playing games liable to disturb the peace, cause accidents or damage the works and plants;
- rollerblading;
- putting up posters or movable signs and writing or spraying graffiti of any kind;
- bathing or paddling in the ponds, and walking or running on the rims;
- sitting or walking on the lawns;
- damaging the plants, picking flowers, breaking or cutting the foliage, mutilating or climbing on the trees;
- throwing paper or rubbish on the ground;
- camping or setting up any camping equipment, even for a few moments;
- abandoning personal items, even for a few moments.
Provisions relating to groups
Article 31
Group tours are led by a tour leader who undertakes to ensure that all these rules are followed. They are the single point of contact with the museum’s reception service.
Article 32
The number of people in each group is set by the museum director according to available capacity, with a maximum of thirty (30) people allowed.
For school groups, a minimum of one accompanying adult for every 7 nursery or primary school pupils, and one for every 15 secondary school pupils, is required.
Group visitors must be flexible for the comfort of all the other visitors. Depending on how busy the museum is, groups may be asked to split up to make it easier for other visitors to circulate.
Article 33
Groups must book a time for their visit. Admission to the museum is subject to presentation of the booking slip sent to the group leader.
Groups arriving spontaneously cannot be granted admission if capacity is affected.
The City of Paris does not define any particular categories for tour guides or group leaders.
Article 34
Group visits must follow the visitor conditions set out in these rules.
Provisions relating to photography and copies
Article 35
In the permanent collection rooms, works may be photographed or filmed solely for the private use of the operator. The museum shall not be held liable for any undeclared public use.
In the temporary exhibition rooms, there may be restrictions on photography which will be stated at the entrance to the rooms or near to the works.
Article 36
For the protection of the works and the comfort of visitors, the use of flashes, lamps and other lighting devices is prohibited.
Article 37
Photographing or filming the installations and technical equipment is prohibited.
Article 38
Permission from the museum director and the consent of the parties involved are required for any recording, photography or sound recording featuring members of staff or the public.
The museum shall not be held responsible towards any third parties for any breach of these provisions.
Article 39
Without prejudice to the provisions of the previous article, professional photography, filming, and recording radio and television programmes are subject to particular regulations.
Article 40
Permission from the museum director is required before making any copies of the works in the museum. Beneficiaries shall follow these rules and any particular instructions given to them, in particular concerning the protection of the works to be copied and any reproduction rights that may apply.
Article 41
Museum staff and reception and security staff in particular are in charge of enforcing these rules.
Article 42
Visitors who disregard the rules contained in this document may be expelled from the establishment and may face legal action.
Article 43
These rules shall be displayed for the benefit of the public in every museum of the City of Paris.