Does the Paris Museum Pass Include the Immigration Museum (Palais de la Porte Dorée)?
Yes — the Musée national de l’histoire de l’immigration, in the Palais de la Porte Dorée, is included in the Paris Museum Pass. This powerful museum tells the story of immigration in France. Note that the building’s Tropical Aquarium is a separate ticket. Here’s what to expect and how to visit.
The short answer
The Musée national de l’histoire de l’immigration, housed in the striking Art Deco Palais de la Porte Dorée in the 12th arrondissement, is covered by the pass. Your pass admits you to its permanent collection exploring the history and contributions of immigration to France.
What you’ll see
The museum traces two centuries of immigration through documents, artworks, personal stories, photographs and multimedia — a moving, thought-provoking journey that illuminates modern France. The Palais de la Porte Dorée itself, built for the 1931 Colonial Exposition, is a remarkable Art Deco monument worth seeing in its own right.
Mind the Tropical Aquarium
The same building houses a Tropical Aquarium, which is ticketed separately and not covered by the pass. So your pass gets you into the immigration museum and the historic interiors, but if you’d also like to see the aquarium — a hit with children — you’ll buy that ticket on its own.
Who will appreciate it
Anyone interested in history, society and contemporary France will find the museum rewarding and relevant. It offers important context for understanding the country and the city, and it’s a quieter, meaningful museum — a thoughtful contrast to the grand art collections, and a worthwhile use of the pass.
Opening and location
The museum is typically closed on Mondays, with hours varying, so check before you go. It’s at Porte Dorée (Metro Porte Dorée) in the 12th arrondissement, on the edge of the Bois de Vincennes — near the pass-included Château de Vincennes and the Paris Zoo (the zoo being a separate ticket).
A Vincennes pairing
The museum’s location near the Bois de Vincennes lets you pair it with the pass-included Château de Vincennes, a medieval royal fortress, for a day in eastern Paris. The Art Deco palace and the medieval château make an intriguing contrast, both rewarding uses of your pass.
Why it’s a great pass pick
Less visited by tourists, the immigration museum is a substantial, relevant museum in a stunning building — a fine way to use the pass for depth and context. For travellers who value history and society, it’s a memorable, meaningful stop that costs nothing extra with the pass.
Tips for your visit
- Use your pass for the immigration museum and interiors.
- Pay separately for the Tropical Aquarium if you want it.
- Avoid Mondays (typically closed).
- Admire the Art Deco palace itself.
- Pair it with the Château de Vincennes nearby.
Admire the building itself
Even setting the collection aside, the Palais de la Porte Dorée is worth the visit: its sweeping Art Deco facade, grand frescoed hall and period interiors are a monument to 1930s Paris. With your pass covering entry, you get both a thought-provoking museum and a chance to step inside one of the city’s most striking inter-war buildings — a two-in-one that makes it a smart, distinctive use of the pass.
Buy your Paris Museum Pass for the included museums
To explore France’s immigration history in a landmark Art Deco palace without a separate museum ticket, buy your Paris Museum Pass online in advance and book free slots where required. Secure your pass and add this powerful museum to your trip.
Frequently asked questions
Does the pass include the immigration museum?
Yes — the permanent collection is covered.
Is the Tropical Aquarium included?
No — the aquarium in the same building is a separate ticket.
What will I see?
Two centuries of immigration history through art, documents and personal stories.
Where is it?
At the Palais de la Porte Dorée, 12th arrondissement (Metro Porte Dorée).
When is it closed?
Typically Mondays — check current hours.
What’s nearby on the pass?
The Château de Vincennes.