On January 1, Paris slows down, but doesn't shut. Each year, some of the major museums and monuments remain open, and the 7th arrondissement fares rather well: on January 1, 2026, four of the open venues were in our neighborhood or right next door. Here is how we would organize the day if you spend it with us, on avenue Duquesne.
What was open on January 1, 2026 near us
Four venues in the 7th or on its edge were on the list of January 1, 2026 openings: the Eiffel Tower, the Musée d'Orsay, the Musée du quai Branly, and the Maillol Museum. The same list also included, further afield, the Orangerie, the Musée du Luxembourg, Jacquemart-André, the Conciergerie, and the Château de Versailles.
A word of caution, and we insist on it: these openings are decided each year. For Friday, January 1, 2027, check each venue's official website in the last days of December, and book when possible. A venue open on a public holiday draws a crowd.
The Eiffel Tower: go up, or simply admire it
The Eiffel Tower was among the places open on January 1, 2026. It is the most sought-after visit of the day, and therefore the busiest: if you are set on going up, get your ticket online in advance rather than counting on the queue. If you only want to see it, a morning on the Champ de Mars on the 1st is more than enough. We have detailed the floors and prices on our page about visiting the tower.
The Musée d'Orsay, for the afternoon
Orsay was open on January 1, 2026, and it is the museum we most readily recommend that day. The Impressionist collections in the former train station are enough to fill an afternoon, and the approach along the Left Bank quays is a walk in itself. On New Year's Day, the crowds are less predictable than on an ordinary Tuesday: a timed ticket spares you an unpleasant surprise.
The Musée du quai Branly, the closest to the tower
The quai Branly was also open on January 1, 2026. It is the logical choice if you are already at the foot of the Eiffel Tower, since it is on the same quay. Its collections of art from Africa, Asia, Oceania, and the Americas offer a complete change of register after a morning of monuments, and its garden is worth a look even in winter.
The Maillol Museum, for a short visit
The Maillol Museum, on rue de Grenelle, was also among the January 1, 2026 openings. It is our option when you want a single exhibition, without spending the afternoon there: the venue is on a human scale, and its temporary programming changes regularly. Check what is on show there in January before you decide.
What depends on no schedule: the Champ de Mars and the quays
The Champ de Mars and the Seine quays do not close on New Year's Day, and that is often where we begin. On the morning of the 1st, after the New Year's Eve celebrations, the paths are quieter than usual. Cross the lawns from the École Militaire to the tower, then join the Seine and follow the Left Bank eastward. The Paris quays are a UNESCO World Heritage site, and this walk costs nothing.
Our itinerary for the day
Here is the sequence we suggest, starting from avenue Duquesne:
- Late morning: the Champ de Mars, on foot, to the foot of the Eiffel Tower.
- Early afternoon: the Musée du quai Branly, right next door, or the ascent of the tower if you have your ticket.
- Afternoon: the Left Bank quays to the Musée d'Orsay.
- Evening: back home, and a last drink at our bar, a discreet speakeasy-style bar with classic cocktails and chef-driven cuisine.
If you arrive in Paris on the 31st, our page on New Year's Eve covers the previous evening. For the rest of your stay, our pages on December and on rainy days take over.