The Cité de l’Histoire is located under the Grande Arche de la Défense, at the Parvis de la Défense (92400 Puteaux).
Questions and answers
Plan your visit
Have a question? The answer is probably here! If this is not the case, go to the Contact page to write to our customer service.
Access
Where is the Cité de l'Histoire located? How to access the Cité de l'Histoire? How to locate the entrance?
Where is the Cité de l'Histoire located?
How to access the Cité de l'Histoire by public transport?
By metro: terminus line 1. RER: line A. By tram: line T2.
By train Transilien: line L or line U. Several buses.
Stop = La Défense (Grande Arche). Exit 1 – Grande Arche
How to access the Cité de l'Histoire on foot? How to locate the entrance?
When one is on the court of the Defense, if one turns one’s back to Paris and looks at the Arche, the entrance is a little before the Grande Arche, on the right. The entrance to the Cité de l'Histoire is easy to locate with the “Ronde des manchons à air” and the totem pole in the centre.
After passing through the room decorated with colourful columns, a work by Buren, one reaches the wide entrance corridor, decorated on the theme of the Cité de l'Histoire.
Where to park when you arrive by car to the Cité de l’Histoire ?
The Cité de l'Histoire does not have a private car park but it is possible to park at the CNIT car park or at the Westfield-Les Quatre Temps shopping centre, very close to the Cité de l'Histoire.
Is it possible to go out and enter several times in the same day with my ticket?
We allow entry and exit of the Cité de l’Histoire.
Rates
Is it necessary to book? Am I entitled to the reduced rate? Can I exchange my ticket?
What are the rates?
On the online ticketing, tickets are €18.99 in reduced fare and €23.99 in full fare.
On site, tickets are 20€ discounted and 25€ full.
Do you have to book your ticket in advance?
It is strongly recommended to purchase your ticket online, in advance.
We cannot guarantee the availability of the ticket at the time of your choice if you buy it on site, however a physical ticket office allows you to buy the tickets directly at the Cité de l'Histoire if you wish.
What are the conditions of the reduced rate?
The reduced rate applies to under-18s, students, job seekers and beneficiaries of social minima, holders of an annual Navigo Pass, as well as persons with disabilities (80%) and their accompanying person. There is also a Group rate (from 6 people, accessible online only). Access to the City of History is free for children under the age of 5.
What are the conditions for free access?
Access to the Cité de l'Histoire is free for children under the age of 7 (excluding school groups). Children aged 8 to 18 will benefit from the reduced rate.
Can I exchange my ticket?
For reasons of gauge, the Cité de l'Histoire tickets are neither exchangeable nor refundable. Please make sure you are available on the date of your ticket.
Is it possible to pay the tickets by holiday checks, culture checks or bank checks?
No, it is not possible to pay the tickets with holiday checks, culture checks or bank checks.
Is there an offer for special groups: schools, works councils, associations?
The group rate (18,99€) is available online to all groups of at least 6 people. For specific groups (schools, associations or professionals), please send your request to ce-groupes@amaclio.com. Telephone inquiries at +33 (0)7 76 87 51 93.
Accessibility
How is access for people with reduced mobility? Is the experience suitable for people with disabilities? What is planned for non-French speakers?
Is the Cité de l'Histoire accessible to all?
People with reduced mobility are of course welcome at the Cité de l'Histoire. All activities are accessible to people with motor disabilities. Wheelchairs can also be borrowed at the Cité’s reception desk: reservation required via the contact form at the top of the page.
If you suffer from blindness, deafness, cognitive impairment or a disorder such as epilepsy, we invite you to contact us before your visit, so that we can advise you as best as possible.
Can we access the Eternal Notre-Dame, virtual reality experience, without visiting the Cité de l’Histoire ?
Yes, that is entirely possible. The Eternal Notre-Dame virtual reality experience requires a specific ticket, different from that of the Cité de l'Histoire. We recommend booking online.
Can I come to the Cité de l'Histoire with my pet?
Unfortunately, our animal friends are not accepted in the Cité de l'Histoire, with the exception of service dogs and blind dogs.
How is access to the Cité de l'Histoire for people in wheelchairs?
To access the Cité de l'Histoire in a wheelchair, there is a specific access by elevator from the forecourt of the Grande Arche: all the details on this page. If you have any specific questions, please contact Customer Service via the contact form to prepare your visit.
Is it possible to borrow a wheelchair on site?
Yes, we provide people who want a wheelchair to visit the Cité de l'Histoire in the best conditions (even if you don’t usually use one). Please make the request in advance (via the contact form).
Does the Cité de l'Histoire have luggage storage or a locker room service?
We provide a cloakroom (secure individual lockers) for your coats and medium size bags. Large suitcases or bags are not allowed.
Small locker: 47 cm high by 40 cm wide by 50 cm deep
Large locker: 95 cm high by 40 cm wide by 50 cm deep
Can we do the tour with a stroller? Is there a stroller locker?
It is possible to make the tour with a stroller. We recommend however the carrier that allows a more fluid movement in the visiting spaces. It is not possible to drop a stroller at the reception (the size of the lockers does not allow it).
In which languages are the animations offered?
The animations are offered in French. Translation of the animations in English is underway and will be available in the coming months.
On site
What will I discover at the Cité de l'Histoire? What are the animations offered? How long should I expect to be there?
At what age it is possible to come at the Cité de l'Histoire ?
The Cité de l'Histoire is for everyone! Children, even young ones, will appreciate the realism of the Immersive Journey’s scenery, will be impressed by the mapping of the 360° Ellipse and will play their curiosity in the Historical Timeline. Admission to the City is free for children under the age of 5. Up to the age of 18, young people benefit from the reduced rate.
What are the main activities of the Cité de l'Histoire ?
An immersive journey that immerses you in the history of France 40 minutes; a show in 360° video mapping that makes you discover a period of history thanks to an emblematic character; a giant, interactive historical timeline that lets you learn more about 400 significant events in human history; an incredible virtual reality experience that takes you through the history and construction of a heritage monument.
What else am I gonna find?
La Cité de l'Histoire is a complete place, which offers you to travel through time thanks to its animations, but also thanks to the scenery that invite you to discover the great events of the past. With free access, in the heart of the La Défense district, take a gourmet break at the Restaurant de la Cité de l'Histoire, stroll among the shelves of the Library and let yourself be tempted by our selection of articles at the Shop de la Cité.
How long will it take on site?
To fully enjoy all the activities of the Cité de l'Histoire, count about three hours of visit. The tickets correspond to a three-hour slot. You can organize your journey as you wish, and you can also extend the experience of the Cité de l'Histoire by taking advantage of its Restaurant, Boutique and Bookshop.
What are the period of rush?
Weekends and evenings of the week are the most popular. To make the most of your visit to the Cité de l'Histoire, we advise you to come mid-day.
Is it possible to eat? Is it possible to bring a picnic on site?
Within the Cité de l'Histoire, the Restaurant welcomes you all day to offer you a gourmet and relaxing break.
You can picnic outdoors on the Esplanade de la Défense, a place accessible to all, but bringing your picnic to the Cité de l'Histoire is not allowed.
Contact
I am a school teacher and I would like to take my students to visit the Cité de l'Histoire, how? I lost an object in the Cité de l'Histoire, who can I contact? I want to work at the Cité de l'Histoire, how to apply?
I am a school teacher and I would like to take my students to visit the Cité de l'Histoire, how?
The group rate is available online for school groups. Please send your request to ce-groupes@amaclio.com. Telephone inquiries at +33 (0)7 76 87 51 93.
I am a journalist and I would like to have the press material of the Cité de l'Histoire, how?
All Press resources are available on the Press page of our website. You will find visuals, press releases and press kits.
I lost an object in the Cité de l'Histoire, who can I talk to?
On site, go to the reception located in the main hall, our agents are there to help and advise you. After your visit, you can call the reception during the opening hours of the Cité de l'Histoire at +33 (0)1 47 57 57 27.
I want to work at the City of History, how to apply?
You can send your CV and cover letter to recrutement@amaclio.com