In Paris, the Musée des Arts Décoratifs (MAD Paris) is taking part in the 22nd edition of the Night of Museums on May 23, 2026. Click here for the detailed program of this free nocturnal event!
Are you ready to spark your curiosity? The Night of Museums is set to flood cultural institutions across Paris and Île-de-France Saturday, May 23, 2026! This free, must-attend event for art lovers and the curious alike opens museum doors to visitors after dusk, unveiling their most precious treasures and best-kept secrets. A magical evening where the lines between past and present fade away, and where art comes to life before your eyes in a festive and exhilarating atmosphere.
The MAD Paris – Musée des Arts Décoratifs is a cultural jewel of French heritage. Founded in 1864, its mission is to promote the excellence of French art de vivre through an exceptional collection of furniture, jewelry, ceramics, textiles and many other objets d’art. Housed in the Marsan wing of the Palais du Louvre, the museum is a journey through time, revealing the evolution of tastes and styles from medieval times to the present day.
The MAD is also the stage for a string of temporary exhibitions, each more inventive than the last. Fashion, graphic design, pop culture—the playful, sometimes offbeat collections attract even those who usually shy away from cultural outings. With that in mind, what does Saturday, May 23, 2026 have in store for you?
The 2026 Night of Museums program at the Musée des Arts Décoratifs in Paris:
- Memphis Metamorphoses
Saturday, May 23, 2026 — 6:30 PM to 11:00 PMHave fun creating a 3D furniture model inspired by the bold, colorful world of the Memphis design movement.
- What is it for?
Saturday, May 23, 2026 — 6:30 PM to 11:00 PMAs a special feature, the museum’s conservators present you with a selection of intriguing objects from the museum’s storerooms. Try to guess their purpose by handling them and by following the trail with the museum’s scientific teams.
- Haiku of Earth and Light
Saturday, May 23, 2026 – 6:30 PM ⤏ 11:00 PMImmerse yourself in the poetic world of contemporary glass and ceramic collections, then let your favorite object inspire you to write a haiku.
- Discover our collections from the Middle Ages to the present day.
Saturday, May 23, 2026 — 6:30 p.m. to 11:00 p.m.Embark on a journey through the permanent collections of the Decorative Arts Museum by taking part in a scavenger hunt. Across the different stages, you’ll meet the museum teams, observe, handle objects, and collect clues to track down the mystery object.
- Secrets of the Undergarments
Saturday, May 23, 2026 — 6:30 p.m. ⤏ 11:00 p.m.Come try on a 16th-century ruff, an 18th-century pannier, crinolines and other 19th-century bum pads, all reproduced identically, to better understand their role in fashion history.
- From everyday objects to museum pieces
Saturday, May 23, 2026 – 6:30 PM ⤏ 11:00 PMTen objects to discover… but why are they in the museum? With the help of the presenters, delve into their history, how they’re used, and the secrets of how they’re made, and learn what turns an everyday object into a museum piece.
