Who gets into the Musée du quai Branly free?
This is the check to make before you buy anything. A large share of the people I see paying at the desk did not need to. If you are under 18, or you are 18 to 25 and live in the EU, bring a passport or identity card that shows your date of birth and, for the second group, your residence; a student card on its own is not proof of either. Go through security and present the ID at the desk.
The first Sunday of each month is free for everyone, and it is also the busiest day of the month. The plateau copes, but if you have the choice between a free first Sunday and a paid Thursday evening, I would pay for the Thursday; see the opening hours page for why. Free entry does not exempt you from the timed reservation some temporary exhibitions require, so reserve those slots in advance on the museum’s site.
If you do not qualify, the skip-the-line admission ticket is the simplest option: valid for one day, exhibitions included, cancellable free up to 24 hours before. The ticket page explains the entry lane it gives you.
Under-26 EU visitors travelling with parents who are not: the parents book the ticket and you walk up to the desk with your ID. There is no need to buy a ticket for someone who gets in free.
Frequently asked questions
Is the quai Branly free on the first Sunday of the month?
Yes, for everyone. Expect it to be the busiest day of the month. Temporary exhibitions may still need a free timed reservation, which you make on the museum’s site.
Do EU citizens under 26 get in free?
EU residents aged 18 to 25 do, with ID showing age and residence. Under-18s get in free from anywhere. Everyone else should look at the ticket page.
Does free entry include the temporary exhibitions?
Free entry covers the permanent collection and most exhibitions, but some shows require a free timed reservation on top. Check the 2026 exhibitions page for what is on.