Culture is not inherited, it is conquered," said André Malraux. So why not start early, even very early! Customized guided tours, creative workshops, activity booklets—across France, the most prestigious museums adapt to children aged 2 to 12 so that each one can discover art at their own pace and, who knows, develop a taste for science and knowledge... Here are a few ideas for cultural and playful outings in the museums of France.
An Impressionist Awakening at the Musée d'Orsay in Paris.
Musée d'Orsay, Paris, France
There's no age limit to appreciating a Monet or a Cézanne! Alongside its permanent collections and temporary exhibitions, the Musée d'Orsay offers workshops to introduce young audiences to the creations of the Impressionist movement. After a guided tour, comes the hands-on part, where children aged 6 to 8 or 8 to 12 take up the brush themselves and play, draw, and create, sometimes in the style of Van Gogh, Renoir, or Pissarro...
And Wonder at the Louvre Museum
Louvre Museum, Paris, France
We nurture our little budding artists in the majestic Louvre, where children are welcome! Workshops, storytelling tours, shows, and youth films related to the current programming. Every effort is made to ensure families have a good time. To extend your visit, head to the Petit Louvre, the museum's digital extension specially designed for the youngest. There is video content, comics, coloring pages, and for the more adventurous, puzzles to solve in Greece, Egypt, or in search of the Mona Lisa!
Introduction to contemporary art at the Centre Pompidou-Metz, in the Grand Est region.
In unique spaces of the Centre Pompidou-Metz, children as young as 5 can become acquainted with contemporary art by combining creative activities with encounters with artists. On the agenda: creating phonograph records out of chocolate, or drawing record players, as well as screen printing on pancakes. Young Picassos are exposed to all forms of contemporary production, accompanied by a team of youth docents.
An Interactive History Lesson at the Caen Memorial
Numerous school groups visit Caen to honor and learn about the events of World War II. And for good reason! The museum-memorial of the Second World War allows to understand the major stakes of the Normandy Landings in June 1944 and the Battle of Normandy. The visit is adapted to children start at 8 years old, an age when they start studying the history of the 20th century at school. During school holidays, visits specially dedicated to families are organized in the by entertaining guides equipped with a curious suitcase filled with archival documents and period objects for children to explore. Enough to captivate the attention of dreamy or disruptive children from the start to finish of the presentation.
A Treasure Trove of Children's Activities at the Louvre-Lens, in Northern France egion.
From sensory experiences for the little ones to 'squat the museum' afternoons for generations Y and Z, there's something for all ages at the Louvre-Lens. With the charter 'The 10 Rights of the Little Visitor at the Louvre Lens', the Lens museum gives full (or almost full) power to your budding geniuses. The right to have a favorite artwork, to share impressions, to only look at the details of a painting, to sit down, to close your eyes, and even the right to dream... Mini-tours, painting, engraving, or drawing, the museum is bursting with creative activities to unleash the inventiveness of young minds who, for a moment, feel like queens and emperors of the Gallery of Time.
The Palais Fesch in Corsica: Tracing the Footsteps of Napoleon
There's no age limit for admiring a work of art, especially on the Isle of Beauty. In the heart of Ajaccio, in Corsica, just steps from the ferry terminal, stands the impressive Palais Fesch, built by Napoleon's uncle. It houses the imperial chapel and the second largest collection of Italian paintings in France after the Louvre. From the age of 6, children engage in culture by creating their own plastic works. Meanwhile, older kids (from 11 years old) explore behind the scenes of the fine arts museum, learning to design exhibitions, which might even inspire some to pursue careers in the field! The museum also offers theatrical tours.
Layover in the Mediterranean at the Mucem in Marseille, Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur
The Museum of European and Mediterranean Civilisations (Mucem) in Marseille is an architectural marvel situated by the sea, offering stunning 360-degree views of the Fort Saint-Jean and the Mediterranean. With its bold design and captivating exhibitions, it stands as a cultural beacon, renowned internationally as an emblem of architectural and artistic innovation.In addition, the Mucem offers children's groups a rich program of encounters focusing on Mediterranean peoples and artworks. Explore our offerings, choose your activity, and prepare for your visit to the museum.
The Journey to Nantes continues at the Museum of Arts in Pays de la Loire.
The island of Nantes captivates both young and old with its gigantic mechanical and fantastical animals, starting with the unbeatable elephant always ready to welcome you on its back or the giant spider. To extend the experience, cross the royal river towards the Chamber of Dragons at the Museum of the History of the City, located in the heart of the Castle of the Dukes of Brittany, much to the delight of your little monsters. Illustrations, tactile and even sound terminals, will tell you everything about these strange creatures very present in medieval culture.
A few steps away, the Museum of Arts in Nantes offers several sensory awakening workshops. Accompanied by an adult, the youngest ones explore the museum's collections of ancient art in search of the aptly named Pascal lamb, and its flock lost in the halls...
Visit the Museum of Arts and the Museum of History of Nantes
A Splash of Culture and Grape Juice at the Cité du Vin in Bordeaux, Nouvelle-Aquitaine
No need to leave the children at home to visit the Cité du Vin (City of Wine) 7 year may not drink alcohol, but they have a thirst for knowledge. Through a customized tour, children soar over vineyards from all corners of the earth, learn about grape cultivation, travel back to Roman and medieval times, and put their knowledge to the test. This playful immersion culminates at the belvedere on the 8th floor of the building, offering a panoramic view of Bordeaux and the Garonne, punctuating the sensory journey with a tasting experience Via Sensoria. For the younger audience, the glass of wine made from grapes from around the world offered to adults is replaced by a tasting of organic and local grape juice...
Shoot for the Stars at Gazing up at the stars at the Cité de l'Espace in Toulouse, Occitanie
What child hasn't dreamed of becoming an astronaut one day? At the Cité de l'Espace, our favorite young scientists embark on a journey through the universe, taking on various challenges. They climb aboard the MIR space station, get up close to robots exploring the planet Mars, experience the vacuum of space, and dive into the world of asteroids with the IMAX 3D film "Asteroid Hunters."
The exploration begins almost from birth. At the Little Astronauts' City, children as young as 4 learn to prepare rockets and organize missions. French astronaut Thomas Pasquet should be worried. Sooner or later, our budding astronauts will spread their wings and fly on their own...
Pencil sketching at the Musée des Beaux-Arts in Dijon, Burgundy
It's well known that children have boundless imagination... Located in the east wing of the former Palace of the Dukes of Burgundy, the Musée des Beaux-Arts in Dijon is a fantastic source of inspiration for budding artists! Triangles, trapezoids, rhombuses – the rich collections of paintings and sculptures offer a multitude of geometric shapes perfect for coloring practice. Several workshops are available to cultivate creative minds. From drawing portraits of dukes and duchesses with colored pencils to collaborative works on paper with elaborate oriental motifs, or sketchbooks for drawing in front of the canvases. For those with a flair for the dramatic, acting out theater scenes inspired by medieval altarpieces is a favorite.
You Sank My Battle Ship at National Maritime Museum of Brest, in Brittany
At the heart of the Brest Castle, overlooking one of the world's largest roadsteads, the National Maritime Museum offers a journey through France's maritime history. Warships, famous three-masters, submarines—the exhibition halls recount the great naval battles. Young sailors better hold onto the helm tight. The adventure promises to be tempestuous whether they opt for guided tours or workshops. Sailing around the world, tracking underwater sounds like golden-eared experts, modeling figureheads, making holed biscuits to feed the crew—not to mention pirate-style treasure hunts for ages 4-6. If they accompany their parents, the young sailors can rely on the indispensable logbook to be obtained at the reception for a fun and enjoyable visit. All aboard!
The Genius of Leonardo at the at Clos Lucé, in the Centre-Val de Loire
Engineer, mathematician, architect, painter, and even anatomist, Leonardo da Vinci truly deserves his nickname as the genius of the Renaissance. The Parc du Clos Lucé, his last residence located in Amboise, at the heart of the Loire Valley, is an open-air museum where both young and old discover machines inspired by the artist's models, including the tank, greatly appreciated by children who don't hesitate to spin the flying propeller...
To make the experience as lively as it is interesting, families can join a theatrical tour during holiday periods with Mathurine, Leonardo's cook, in the lead role, sharing amusing anecdotes along the way. Young geniuses can also create their own machine provided they follow Leonardo's advice carefully as outlined in the Inventor's Notebook.
Visit the Leonardo da Vinci Park at the Château du Clos Lucé
Journey to the Center of the Earth at the Confluences Museum in Lyon, Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes
Let's explore the depths of the Earth! In connection with the temporary exhibition 'Secrets of the Earth' (until December 31, 2024), the Musée des Confluences in Lyon offers children the opportunity to discover the precious stones and minerals essential to human activities. A sensory workshop where budding adventurers can not only observe but also touch some of the natural resources (with their various colors and shapes) presented. A perfect way to raise awareness among children about the scarcity of resources and the challenges of climate change.
Visit the Confluences Museum.
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By Colombe Freynet et Kevin Bonnaud
