Photo : A l'adresse du jeu
Family Weekend at the Cognacq-Jay Museum
On December 5 and 6, for a weekend, the Cognacq-Jay Museum invites children and their parents to discover its collections in a new light thanks to a free program specially designed for families.
Musée Cognacq-Jay (Paris 3rd)
About
ON THE PROGRAM:
PASTEL PORTRAIT WORKSHOP
After discovering the museum's pastel collections, children and their parents are introduced to the pastel technique by creating a portrait or self-portrait.
- Saturday, December 5, at 2:30 PM or 4:00 PM.
Duration: 1h30, for ages 4 and up, by reservation via email at the following address: reservation.cognacqjay@paris.fr
A LA CARTE TOUR
Using a deck of cards created for the occasion, a playful discovery of the collection's key works. A different tour with every draw!
- Saturday, December 5, and Sunday, December 6, from 3:00 PM to 5:00 PM.
Duration: 30 minutes, no reservation required, for ages 4 and up, subject to availability.
POP-UP GAME LIBRARY
The association À l’Adresse du Jeu sets up a game library designed and created especially for the Cognacq-Jay Museum! Wooden dexterity games, vintage and modern board games, games of yesteryear: everyone can play at their own pace. A Playmobil table and a symbolic play area, inspired by the museum's collection, will allow children to dive into the history of the 18th century while having fun.
Finally, an inlay workshop, inspired by the museum's furniture and works, will also be offered to children.
- Saturday, December 5, and Sunday, December 6, from 1:30 PM to 5:30 PM, for ages 3 and up, no reservation required, subject to availability.
Our take on this event
Trade the standard museum route for a whimsical journey through time that will keep the whole family engaged. From hands-on pastel portrait workshops to a pop-up play area filled with vintage games and historic crafts, there is endless room for creativity. It is a rare chance to see history come alive through play in one of the city's most beautiful private mansions.
The Musée Cognacq-Jay invites families to a weekend of discovery in the heart of Paris's 3rd arrondissement on December 5 and 6, 2026. From 10:00 to 18:00, visitors can enjoy a ephemeral toy library, interactive tours, and creative workshops. Designed for children from 3 years old, this entirely free event offers a unique way to explore the museum's collections. The venue is fully accessible, featuring specific accommodations for deaf, hard-of-hearing, blind, visually impaired, or cognitively disabled visitors, ensuring a welcoming environment for every guest throughout these two days of cultural exploration.
Throughout the weekend, the Musée Cognacq-Jay hosts a playful immersion into the 18th century. The association À l'Adresse du Jeu presents an ephemeral toy library from 13:30 to 17:30, where children aged 3 and up can enjoy wooden dexterity games, antique board games, Playmobil sets, and a marquetry workshop. Entry is first-come, first-served without prior booking.
Families can also join a customizable "à la carte" tour using a specially created card game to explore the museum's highlights. These 30-minute tours run from 15:00 to 17:30 on both Saturday and Sunday, with no reservation required, subject to availability. For those interested in art techniques, a pastel portrait workshop is held on Saturday, December 5, at 14:30 or 16:00. This 1.5-hour session is open to children aged 4 and older and requires an advance reservation.
The museum is open from 10:00 to 18:00 and provides specific accessibility features for visitors who are deaf, hard of hearing, blind, visually impaired, or living with cognitive disabilities.
