photograph courtesy of purplepunk 

For those on the hunt for a good cultural bargain, the Nuit des Musees in Paris can’t be beat.  If you’re not familiar with it (yet), here’s the key info. In 2005, the French Department of Culture launched this program to provide free admission to select museums in Paris and throughout France, keeping museum doors open until 1 a.m. 

The development of free museum nights has really taken off across Europe, with city after city opening their doors once or twice a year for a free evening. Paris holds its free night each year in May. 

One caveat, though: We tried getting into the Louvre at midnight during last year’s Nuit des Musees only to find the entrance closed at 11 p.m.

Our advice: Plan ahead. Fortunately, the Louvre’s terrace bar overlooks the pyramids. And, of course, there’s the adjacent Jardin des Tuilleries, with its much more hospitable hours.

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