Looking to escape without blowing your budget? This summer, several cultural institutions in Paris are throwing open their doors—often for free. From the Union internationale de la jeunesse to the Palais de la Porte Dorée, here’s a roundup of spots to (re)discover and feed your curiosity without emptying your wallet.
Artists in residence, open studios
A landmark tucked away in the heart of the Marais, the Cité Internationale des Arts welcomes artists from all over the world each year. Primarily an artists’ residence, it also hosts several simultaneous exhibitions, often open to the public. Every Wednesday, studios open their doors for free to curious visitors, a great opportunity to meet and talk directly with the resident artists. Also worth noting: calls for applications like Caméra libre, designed for international filmmakers in difficult situations.
18 rue de l’Hôtel de Ville, 75004
Swedish lifestyle, free to explore
This autumn, summer lingers on in the heart of the Marais at the majestic townhouse of the Swedish Institute. With its cobbled courtyard and leafy garden, this is the only Swedish cultural center outside of Sweden. It shines spotlight on Nordic living, offering free exhibitions, a summer music program, and open-air film screenings in the garden starting in September. The FIKA café, true to Scandinavian tradition, serves food and drinks throughout the day, perfect for a relaxing, refreshing break in the shade of the trellises. Swedish language classes are also available, though these are not free.
11 rue Payenne, 75003
A third-place to get involved
Located in Pantin, near the Canal de l’Ourcq, La Cité Fertile is a vibrant, eco-conscious community space. You can grab a bite at La Source, its café-canteen, or choose from the many food trucks scattered across the site. On weekends, the space comes alive with festive open-air events, while daytime activities include yoga classes, sewing workshops, and volunteer outreach prep. It’s a place designed for getting involved, learning, dancing, unwinding or all of the above.
14 avenue Edouard Vaillant, 93500 Pantin
The suburbs in the spotlight
The Palais is hosting the Banlieue Chérie exhibition through 17 August, celebrating the richness of urban cultures on the outskirts of Paris. An off-site program extends the exhibition into several towns across the Île-de-France region, including Corbeil-Essonnes, Saint-Ouen, and Gonesse. A great deal: admission is free for under-26s and for everyone on the first Sunday of each month. Throughout the summer, the Poisson Lune terrace is buzzing with life, and every Thursday evening, the Palais offers free pop-up tours to explore behind the scenes.
293 avenue Daumesnil, 75012
The new cultural hub of Barbès
Open daily from 11:30 a.m. to 7 p.m., this new cultural venue, located on the former site of Tati Barbès is reinventing community life. Blending exhibitions, a bookshop, workshops, and a café, the Union de la Jeunesse Internationale offers a regular, inclusive, and accessible program. Highlights include the weekly Café Philo, a welcoming space for open discussion and reflection. Throughout July, a chess tournament is held every Sunday in collaboration with Paris Gambit, specially designed for beginners eager to learn. The venue is also making headlines: during Paris Fashion Week Men’s, it hosted Kartik Research’s runway show, and more recently, Tribune Barbès set up shop there to cheer on the Champions League matches.
4 Boulevard Rochechouart, 75018
This summer, discover a different side of Paris. Far from the crowds and sky-high prices, these five spots offer a refreshing cultural escape, free and open to all. Whether tucked away in a cobbled courtyard in the Marais, along the banks of the Canal de l’Ourcq, or behind the former storefront of Tati, the city is full of hidden gems. All that’s left to do is step through the doors, they’re waiting for you.
