Jeu de Paume

The Basics

Focusing on all forms of mechanical and electronic imagery (photography, cinema, video, online media, etc.) from the 20th and 21st centuries, this prestigious museum holds an ever-changing roster of dynamic photography exhibitions, film screenings, video installations, symposiums, and seminars. Enjoy the museum, then take a stroll in the regal garden.

Things to Know Before You Go

• Jeu de Paume is an ideal spot for photography lovers and cinephiles.
• Admission is about $9 - $12 depending on the exhibit.
• Jeu de Paume is wheelchair accessible.
• In the winter, be forewarned that the building is not heated.
• Garden aficionados will adore the La Librairie des Jardins, a famous bookstore under the Jeu de Paume terrace, dedicated to gardens and gardening, from practical how-to’s to high-minded tombs on garden poetry and philosophy.

How to Get There

Jeu de Paume is located in the Tuileries Garden next to Place de la Concorde in Paris’s 8th arrondissement. Take Métro line 1, 8, or 12 to Concorde and walk toward the northwest corner of the garden to find the museum.

When to Get There

Jeu de Paume is open everyday except Monday. On Tuesdays, the museum usually stays open until about 9pm. Beat the crowds by going during the week or on weekend mornings. Throughout the year, the museum hosts special exhibitions. Check their calendar before going.

More Than A Game of Tennis

After exhausting its use as place for the nobility to bond over a game of “palm ball,” the building became a storage facility for thousands of artworks confiscated from museums and Jewish households during the Nazi occupation of France, 1940 - 1944. (The curator at the time was secretly a member of the Resistance and kept a list that allowed most artworks to be returned to their rightful owners.) After the war, it showcased an extensive collection of impressionist-era art, which was eventually transferred to Musée d’Orsay.

Ways to explore

This prestigious museum focuses on all forms of mechanical and electronic imagery, including photography, film, video, multimedia, AI, and VR. If you’re not attending one of the dynamic photography exhibitions, screenings, video installations, symposiums, or seminars, you may find yourself admiring the glorious structure on a Tuileries Garden walking tour. Some Paris history tours stop by, and not only for the garden and the royal angle: During World War II, the building stored looted art.

Accessibility

The Jeu de Paume is fully wheelchair accessible, with adapted bathrooms, battery charging, and wheelchairs for loan.

Age limits

Exhibitions and screenings may not always be suitable for young children.

What to pack

Don’t forget your camera or fully charged phone if you’re visiting at sunset, with views of the Obelisk and the Eiffel Tower.

What to wear

Bring a layer in the summer, since the rooms are kept cool to preserve the photos.

Not allowed

Don’t even think about talking during your arthouse movie screening.

Amenities

Bookshop, restrooms, garden, café

Address

The Jeu de Paume is located in the Tuileries Garden next to Place de la Concorde in Paris’ 8th arrondissement. It’s about 2 miles (3 kilometers) southeast of the Arc de Triomphe.

Driving

Downtown Paris is not a car-friendly location. Make like a local and walk, bike, use public transportation, or take a taxi or a rideshare.

Public transportation

The Jeu de Paume is a stone’s throw from Concorde metro station (lines 1, 8, and 12).

Best times to visit

Opening hours are 11am–9pm on Tuesday and 11am–7pm Wednesday through Sunday. The best time to visit depends on what’s on.

Best days to visit

The museum is closed on Mondays, and quieter on midweek mornings than on the weekends.

Best months to visit

Go during the summer to enjoy the Tuileries Garden as well.