Palais de la Porte Dorée has three cultural choices:
Palais de la Porte Dorée was built for the international colonial exhibition of 1931. Design by the famous names Art-Déco style (Laprade, Prouvé, Ducos de la Haille, Subes...), the architecture and creation of the Palais testify to the importance of the French colonial empire at the time, as well as the tropical Aquarium which had been conserved in the basement. Palais de la Porte Dorée housed successively the Museum des colonies, Museum of French overseas territories and Museum of Arts of Africa and Oceania before the opening of the la Cité nationale de l'histoire de l'immigration in 2007.
The national museum of the history of immigration exhibition shows the contributions of successive waves of immigration, over two centuries, in the economic, social and cultural network of France. The permanent collection Repères criss-crosses archives documents, testimonies and contemporary art works. It is completed by Galerie des dons that showcases about forty examples of the way of life, to broach history through individual personal life stories.
After some renovation work, the Museum now offers more accessible tours (especially for young visitors). The story unfolds over 1800 m², a chronological and thematic narrative in eleven key dates from 1685 to the present day, with a section devoted to contemporary issues.
Located inside Palais de la Porte Dorée since its construction in 1931, the tropical Aquarium offers a large collection of about 15.000 animals in the 90 fish display cases: unicorns-fish, piranhas, turtles, alligators from Mississippi... A not to be miss outing with the family!
The permanent collections of the Museum of the history of immigration and the tropical Aquarium are regularly complemented with temporary exhibitions.
Coffee facilities are available to visitors, in the hall of Palais de la Porte Dorée. Several spaces have free access: the esplanade, hall of honour, the Forum and the historical exhibition at Palais de la Porte Dorée.
Visits around architecture du Palais de la Porte Dorée are available all year.
Guided Tour s for groups at Palais de la Porte Dorée.
The ticket Palais de la Porte Dorée includes the entrance ticket for the National Museum of the history of immigration and the tropical Aquarium. It is also possible to get a ticket for the tropical Aquarium or the Museum only. Ticket books, family passes and annual passes are proposed. Be careful, prices vary depending on temporary exhibitions at the moment of your visit: consult the ticket rates on the website of Palais de la Porte Dorée. The entrance of the Museum of Immigration is free – up to aged 26 years old and during every 1st Sunday of on the month.
Book a guided tour of the aquarium
Opening hours all year round from Tuesday to Friday at 10 am to à 5:30 (ticket office open at 5:45 pm) and Saturday and Sunday from 10 am to 7 pm (ticket office closed 6:15 pm).
Closed January 1st, May 1st, December 25th.
Closed Monday.
Getting there
