It's the star discipline of the art world, the one that never disappoints. Some may find it too classic, but we know that the classic is also the timeless, the sure thing, the chocolate cake that pleases everyone. In short, we care. Paris, its museums and galleries are overflowing with beautiful painting exhibitions, and that's the subject we're interested in today!
If you're in the mood for a nice, carefree outing, a moment of relaxation and escape in all simplicity, it's to painting exhibitions that you should turn! Don't be fooled by the apparent sobriety of this category: you'll find some of the finest masterpieces of all time in these suggestions for outings, paintings of breathtaking complexity, beauty and technicality.
Modern, Impressionist, Classical or Baroque, Romantic or Surrealist: you'll find it all in Paris and the Paris region. Let yourself be seduced by these painters, from all centuries and all horizons, whose works are still admired today.
Are you convinced by the beauty of this art form? Then it's time to choose your next exhibition from our selection below.
Claude Monet's Maison Impressionniste, the museum of the painter's life in Argenteuil
To discover the life of Claude Monet, there's no need to go as far as Giverny, as the Maison Impressionniste de Claude Monet in Argenteuil is home to an immersive museum about the painter. [Read more]
The Musée Gustave Moreau, the painter's timeless home and studio in Paris
The Musée Gustave Moreau is a confidential Parisian museum nestled in the 9th arrondissement, where you can visit the artist's apartment and studio, and admire his famous staircase and numerous works of the Symbolist movement. [Read more]
The new History Gallery at the Château de Versailles to celebrate 400 years - photos
The History Gallery at the Château de Versailles reopens its doors to celebrate the 400th anniversary of this emblematic monument. Free of charge from September 15 to 17, 2023 for the Journées du Patrimoine (Heritage Days), then from September 21 with a ticket, discover a completely redesigned and refurbished gallery, retracing the history of the Château from its construction in 1623 by Louis XIII to the present day. More than 120 works from the Versailles collections, accompanied by a digital device, enable us to understand the creations, transformations and upheavals that have marked the Château. [Read more]
Van Gogh, the last journeys: the anniversary exhibition at Château d'Auvers-sur-Oise
Auvers-sur-Oise, the birthplace of Impressionism in the Île-de-France region, was home to the painter Vincent Van Gogh during the last years of his life. This autumn, the château is organizing a special exhibition focusing on his final travels. [Read more]
Chéri Samba, a colorful surrealist exhibition at the Musée Maillol - our photos
The Musée Maillol is devoting a major retrospective to contemporary artist Chéri Samba. Come and admire his colorful and committed paintings from October 17, 2023 to April 21, 2024. [Read more]
Etienne Dinet, Algerian passions: the exhibition that takes us on a journey at the IMA - photos
Discover Etienne Dinet and his Algerian passions, in an exhibition organized from January 30 to June 9, 2024 at the Institut du Monde Arabe, Paris. [Read more]
L'Esquisse, Barbizon's new cultural hotel, both café and free museum
L'Esquisse is a fusion of hotel, café and free museum. We're off to Barbizon, the famous artists' village, to take advantage of this new spot that combines large, charming rooms, a great café by the fireplace and a free museum honoring the artists who have influenced Barbizon around the world. [Read more]
Les Orientalistes, the Atelier des Lumières exhibition that takes us on a journey to the Orient - photos
The mysteries of the Orient await you at the Atelier des Lumières: join Ingres, Delacroix, Vernet and many others in this groundbreaking exhibition on view from February 9, 2024 to January 5, 2025. [Read more]
Post-Impressionist suburbia: Constant Pape's art on display at the Musée de la Carte à Jouer
Come and admire the works of Constant Pape and his post-impressionist Banlieue, in a painting exhibition organized at the Musée de la Carte à Jouer from February 14 to July 13, 2024. [Read more]
Free exhibition 'Visions Naturelles' at Espace Saint-Martin
Sponsored - Discover the exhibition 'VISIONS NATURELLES' by artist SAILEV from March 4 to April 30, 2024 at Espace Saint-Martin. Totems, mandalas, vanitas: a spiritualist vision of nature and animals. Free admission! [Read more]
The voice of the forest: the exhibition that reconnects us with nature at the Petit Palais - photos
Bohemian painter Théodore Rousseau is the focus of a major exhibition at the Petit Palais. From March 5 to July 7, 2024, come and admire "La voix de la forêt". [Read more]
Robert Ryman exhibition at the Musée de l'Orangerie: a retrospective tribute to a singular artist
Conceptual and minimalist works, fascinating paintings: Robert Ryman is at the heart of the Musée de l'Orangerie's eponymous exhibition. On view from March 6 to July 1, 2024. [Read more]
T'ang Haywen, a Chinese painter in Paris, the Musée Guimet exhibition unveiled, photos
The Musée Guimet is devoting a major retrospective to the painter T'ang Haywen, a major figure in 20th-century Chinese art. From March 6 to June 17, 2024, don't miss the exhibition tracing the development of this contemporary artist. [Read more]
Auguste Herbin exhibition at the Musée de Montmartre - our photos
Discover the little-known genius of Auguste Herbin through a dedicated exhibition at the Musée de Montmartre, from March 15 to September 15, 2024. This unique retrospective retraces the key periods of Herbin's artistic career, from his beginnings in Fauvism and Cubism to his apogee in abstraction. [Read more]
Ingres et Delacroix, objets d'artistes: a new exhibition from the Musée Delacroix
The Musée Delacroix brings Ingres and Delacroix face-to-face, in an exhibition that lifts the veil on the artists' intimacy. On view from March 20 to June 10, 2024. [Read more]
The Van Eyck exhibition at the Louvre unveils: (re)discover La Vierge du chancelier Rolin (The Virgin of Chancellor Rolin)
To mark the restoration of Van Eyck's masterpiece The Virgin of Chancellor Rolin, the Musée du Louvre is unveiling an exceptional exhibition featuring the largest number of Van Eyck's works ever presented in France. From March 20 to June 17, 2024, we're off to the second floor of the Salle de la Chapelle to discover some sixty works that allow us to delve into the ins and outs of this creation. [Read more]
Jean Hélion: the pioneer of abstraction unveiled in a retrospective exhibition at MAM
Discover Jean Hélion, the French painter who imported abstract art to the United States, in an exhibition at the Musée d'Art Moderne from March 22 to August 18, 2024. [Read more]
The Tiepolos: our photos of the exhibition at the Beaux-Arts de Paris
Something to delight art lovers... Les Beaux-Arts de Paris invites you to discover its latest exhibition, entitled Tiepolo: Invention and Virtuosity in Venice, from March 22 to June 30, 2024. Immerse yourself in the fascinating world of Giambattista Tiepolo and his sons, through an exceptional collection of drawings and etchings celebrating the Venetian artistic genius of the 18th century. [Read more]
From studio to landscape: the Impressionist exhibition at the Musée Daubigny in Auvers-sur-Oise
The Musée Daubigny traces the history and inspirations of Impressionism through an exhibition that immerses us in the landscapes of Val-d'Oise, a department that welcomed many artists of the period, until September 22, 2024. [Read more]
Paris 1874, inventing Impressionism: our photos from the Musée d'Orsay's major exhibition
In 1874, the first Impressionist exhibition was held in Paris. The Musée d'Orsay looks back at this innovative art and its great masters, in a new exhibition on view from March 26 to July 14, 2024. We went along for the ride... [Read more]
At stake! Artists and sport: a muscular exhibition unveiled at the Musée Marmottan-Monet
Boxing, horse riding, rowing... Sportsmen and women also serve as muses for artists. The Musée Marmottan-Monet invites us to discover the exhibition En Jeu! Artists and Sport, from April 4 to September 1, 2024. [Read more]
Présences arabes exhibition at the Musée d'Art Moderne de Paris unveiled, photos
We take you on a tour of the exhibition "Présences arabes. Art moderne et décolonisation, Paris 1908-1988", a unique collection of over 200 works, most of which have never before been shown in France. The exhibition runs from April 5 to August 25, 2024 at the Musée d'Art Moderne de Paris (MAM). [Read more]
Still life exhibition by artist Ivan Arlaud at Sobering Galerie
Sobering Galerie invites you to discover its latest exhibition of still lifes by artist Ivan Arland, entitled Luminous Interiors, from April 6 to May 13, 2024. Immerse yourself in a universe where tranquility, light and tributes to feminine art intermingle in poetic interior scenes. [Read more]
Stories in color: an exhibition on 350 years of Bulgarian Kilim tradition
Sponsored - For the first time in over a century, authentic Bulgarian kilims from the 19th and 20th centuries will be presented in France at the Galerie de l'Institut Culturel in Paris, organizer of the event. Discover these historic weavings, from Thursday April 18 to June 14. Come and take part in the exhibition opening on April 18 from 6.30pm! [Read more]
Le magasin de lit: a wacky, immersive exhibition in a bed store on April 25
Le magasin de lit is the fifth exhibition by young painter Aurore Guez. The artist has a passion for staging her paintings in eccentric settings. Discover her new exhibition at 80 Boulevard Sébastopol, on April 25, 2024, in a real bed store! [Read more]
"Free vol", a new exhibition by artist CEET Fouad at Rose Studio Art Gallery
Sponsored - Rose Studio Art Gallery presents the second solo show by graffiti artist CEET Fouad. From April 25 to 28, come and discover "les chicanos", the colorful little chickens that populate CEET's universe. The artist will be present at the vernissage to sign his latest work, "LOS". It's sure to be an emotional evening! [Read more]
Formes et couleurs, a tribute to Ellsworth Kelly at the Fondation Louis Vuitton
To mark the centenary of Ellsworth Kelly's birth, the Fondation Louis Vuitton pays tribute to the abstract artist with the exhibition Forms and Colors, on view from May 7 to September 9, 2024. [Read more]
L'atelier rouge: Matisse's masterpiece honored in Fondation Louis Vuitton exhibition
Discover Matisse's masterwork, L'Atelier rouge, in an exhibition never seen before in France, presented at the Fondation Louis Vuitton from May 7 to September 9, 2024. [Read more]
Géricault's horses: a tribute to the famous painter, at the Musée de la Vie Romantique
The Musée de la Vie Romantique celebrates the bicentenary of Théodore Géricault's death, with a themed exhibition presented from May 15 to September 15, 2024. [Read more]
Cheval en majesté, at the heart of a civilization: the exhibition at the Château de Versailles
The Château de Versailles plunges us into the world of the horse, with an exhibition event organized from July 2 to November 3, 2024. Come and discover "Cheval en majesté, au cœur d'une civilisation". [Read more]
Masterpieces from the Galleria Borghese, the Italian exhibition at the Musée Jacquemart-André
The Musée Jacquemart-André reopens its doors in September 2024: to mark the occasion, the museum is showing Masterpieces from the Galerie Borghèse from September 6, 2024 to January 30, 2025. [Read more]
Trompe-l'œil, a head-turning exhibition at the Musée Marmottan-Monet
Artists play with our senses: discover the art of trompe-l'œil, with the Musée Marmottan-Monet's playful and unusual exhibition, on view from October 17, 2024 to March 2, 2025. [Read more]
And there you have it: an exquisite selection for all painting enthusiasts. All you have to do now is choose your next destination. Don't forget to come back to this guide: it's regularly updated with our latest articles.
