Palais de Tokyo Museum
Contemporary art center with large exhibition spaces
A contemporary art center in Paris near the Trocadéro, the Palais de Tokyo stages experimental exhibitions, performance art and late‑night events; visitors seek rotating shows, installations and a café space.
Palais de Tokyo at a Glance#
Address: 13 Avenue du Président Wilson, 75116 Paris, France
Website: https://www.palaisdetokyo.com/
Hours: Typically Wed-Mon 12:00pm-12:00am; closed Tuesdays (hours can vary with exhibitions)
Admission: General admission usually €10-€15 for temporary exhibitions; some events free or pay‑what‑you-wish nights.
About Palais de Tokyo#
Palais de Tokyo is a contemporary art centre in Paris located on the Right Bank near the Trocadéro. The building dates from the 1937 Exposition; the contemporary art centre operating under the Palais de Tokyo name developed later to focus on experimental and contemporary programming.
Exhibition spaces are large and often configured for ambitious installations, performances and rotating shows rather than a permanent collection. The centre is known for temporary contemporary art exhibitions, public programs and site-specific commissions, and it includes a public rooftop terrace with views toward the Seine and the Eiffel Tower.
The structure originated in 1937 and shares the riverfront precinct with other cultural institutions; its program and layout have been adapted in recent decades to accommodate contemporary curatorial models and collaborations.
Palais de Tokyo sits on Avenue du Président Wilson in the 16th arrondissement, a short walk from Trocadéro and the riverfront cultural axis.
- Building and use: Housed in a 1937 building on the Right Bank, the site combines museum-scale galleries with an independent contemporary art centre established in the early 2000s.
What to See#
- Main exhibition spaces: Large, flexible exhibition halls used for temporary shows and large-scale installations by international and local contemporary artists.
- Rooftop terrace: A public-access terrace and rooftop area that provides views over the Seine and toward the Eiffel Tower.
- Project spaces: Adjacent galleries and project rooms that host experimental exhibitions, residencies and performance-led programming.
How to Get to Palais de Tokyo#
Located near the Trocadéro and the Seine. Metro: Iéna (Line 9) or Alma-Marceau (Line 9), or a short walk from Trocadéro (Lines 6/9). Surface buses and taxis serve the area.
Tips for Visiting Palais de Tokyo#
- Check late-night opening nights (the Palais often stays open late on certain days) and the free contemporary art kiosks outside.
- Skip the ground-floor foyer if it's crowded and head straight to upper galleries for rotating contemporary exhibitions.
- Photographers should note that many exhibitions prohibit flash-check signage.
Best Time to Visit Palais de Tokyo#
Because it's a contemporary indoor venue, Palais de Tokyo is visitable year-round; evenings and late openings are often the most interesting.
Weather & Climate near Palais de Tokyo#
Palais de Tokyo's climate is classified as Oceanic - Oceanic climate with mild summers (peaking in July) and cold winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from 2°C to 25°C. Moderate rainfall (640 mm/year), distributed fairly evenly throughout the year.
| Month | Comfort | Temp | Feels | Rain | Sky | Humidity | Wind | UV | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | Poor | 2° - 7° | 1° | 53 mm | overcast | 92% | 4.4 m/s | 0.1 low | 8.6h |
| February | Poor | 2° - 8° | 2° | 46 mm | overcast | 87% | 4.2 m/s | 0.2 low | 10.0h |
| March | Good | 5° - 12° | 6° | 50 mm | partly cloudy | 82% | 4.4 m/s | 0.5 low | 11.7h |
| April | Good | 6° - 15° | 11° | 53 mm | partly cloudy | 77% | 4.3 m/s | 0.9 moderate | 13.5h |
| May | Good | 10° - 19° | 15° | 63 mm | overcast | 76% | 3.9 m/s | 1.2 high | 15.0h |
| June | Excellent | 13° - 22° | 18° | 54 mm | partly cloudy | 75% | 3.8 m/s | 1.5 high | 15.8h |
| July | Very Good | 15° - 25° | 20° | 60 mm | partly cloudy | 72% | 3.5 m/s | 1.5 high | 15.5h |
| August | Excellent | 15° - 25° | 20° | 42 mm | partly cloudy | 72% | 3.3 m/s | 1.2 high | 14.1h |
| September | Very Good | 12° - 21° | 16° | 53 mm | partly cloudy | 76% | 3.5 m/s | 0.8 moderate | 12.4h |
| October | Good | 9° - 16° | 12° | 57 mm | overcast | 84% | 3.7 m/s | 0.4 low | 10.7h |
| November | Acceptable | 5° - 11° | 5° | 52 mm | overcast | 91% | 3.9 m/s | 0.1 low | 9.1h |
| December | Poor | 3° - 8° | 3° | 57 mm | overcast | 93% | 4.3 m/s | 0.1 low | 8.2h |
