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?

The Cité de l’Histoire is located under the Grande Arche de la Défense, at the Parvis de la Défense (92400 Puteaux).

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

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.

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.

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?

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

No, it is not possible to pay the tickets with holiday checks, culture checks or bank checks.

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?

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.

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.

Unfortunately, our animal friends are not accepted in the Cité de l'Histoire, with the exception of service dogs and blind dogs.

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.

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).

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

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).

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?

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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?

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.

All Press resources are available on the Press page of our website. You will find visuals, press releases and press kits.

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.

You can send your CV and cover letter to recrutement@amaclio.com