The best exhibitions this December 2021 in Paris and Île-de-France

In December 2021, there is a lot to see in Paris. Between art galleries, the decorated monuments and the Christmas lights, Paris is a treat for the eyes! To make sure you are not missing something, one solution, following our guide about the exhibitions and the arty events...

The Holidays in Paris in December make the city magical. Snow is covering the top of museums and monuments and we finally have enough time to enjoy the exhibitions that are starting during the Holidays.

We let you discover the arty events likely to fill in your days/nights and weekend this December 2021.

Main events and exhibitions to enjoy in December 2021 in Paris:

Jean-Paul Gaultier’s movie costumes displayed at Paris Cinémathèque
Jean-Paul Gaultier is invited from October 6, 2021 to January 16, 2022 by the Cinémathèque for a compelling display of the movie costumes he has designed for several iconic movies: Marilyn Monroe’s, Audrey Hepburn’s or Catherine Deneuve’s dresses, as well as James Bond’s tuxedo, and even Superman’s costumes, we owe him many iconic outfits. [Read more]

The Napoléon exhibition is up at the Grande Halle de la Villette
The Napoléon exhibition is up from May 28 to September 19, 2021 at La Grande Halle de la Villette. Enjoy the first French Emperor's history as part of the bicentenary of his death. Discover Napoleon’s incredible destiny. [Read more]

Dali, l’énigme sans fin: our pictures of the exhibition at the Atelier des Lumières - New dates
You know his works, but do you really know what hides behind? Come and discover the secrets of one of the greatest painters of his generation at the Atelier des Lumières. “Dali, l’énigme sans fin” – Dali, the endless enigma – is on from May 19, 2021 to January 2, 2022. [Read more]

Gaudí, the Architect of the Imaginary: pictures of the exhibition at the Atelier des Lumières – New dates
The Atelier des Lumières pays tribute to architecture genius Gaudí, whose works of art have been listed as UNESCO World Heritage. From May 19, 2021 to January 2, 2022, come and enjoy the “Gaudí, the Architect of the Imaginary” exhibition. [Read more]

Thierry Mugler: Couturissime, the exhibition at Paris Musée des Arts Décoratifs
Event alert! Paris Musée des Arts Décoratifs welcomes the Thierry Mugler : Couturissime exhibition. Save the date, get some days off, get your camera ready... This exhibition offers us an overview on the genius designer’s career, an absolute icon in the fashion world. Originally scheduled from October 2020, it has been postponed to September 30, 2021 to April 24, 2022. [Read more]

Soutine/De Kooning, the exhibition at the Musée de l’Orangerie postponed to 2021
From September 14, 2021 to January 10, 2022, the Musée de l’Orangerie has painters Chaïm Soutine and Willem de Kooning talk in a new exhibition. Explore the works by these two expressionist artists and rediscover these two great painters from the post-war years. [Read more]

Artsy events in December 2021:

Coming soon

Retrospectives in December 2021:

Vivian Maier, the tribute exhibition at the Musée du Luxembourg
She is one of the greatest photographers from the 20th century, even though her talent has only been acknowledged too recently: Vivian Maier is paid tribute in an exhibition running from September 5, 2021 to January 16, 2022 at Paris Musée du Luxembourg. [Read more]

Contemporary art exhibitions in December 2021:

Martin Margiela, the exhibition at Lafayette Anticipation
Art and fashion lovers are expected at the Fondation Lafayette Anticipations from October 20, 2021 to January 2, 2022 to discover an exhibition about Martin Margiela’s work. An exhibition focusing here on Martin Margiela as an artist and not the fashion designer. [Read more]

The Banksy exhibition back to Paris Lafayette-Drouot in early June 2021
“The World of Banksy: The Immersive Experience” exhibition reopens in June 2021 at Paris Espace Lafayette-Drouot. Extended to December 31, 2020, this exhibition in sut is devoted to the world-famous street artist, and reveals about 100 works on 1200sqm. [Read more]

Australia Now 2021: Jonathan Jones exhibition at Paris Palais de Tokyo
As part of Australia Now 2021, and from October 22, 2021 to January 22, 2022, the Palais de Tokyo welcomes Jonathan Jones’s very first exhibition in France called Untitled (transcriptions of country). [Read more]

Cherry Blossoms, the Damien Hirst exhibition at the Fondation Cartier
The Fondation Cartier invites British artist Damien Hirst from July 6, 2021 to January 2, 2022 to unveil his latest painting series called Cherry Blossoms (Cerisiers en Fleurs). A series of paintings that is part of the continuity of his researches, also showing the pleasure to meet – thanks to painting – the artist’s gesture again. [Read more]

Photo exhibitions in December 2021:

Coming soon

Themed exhibitions in December 2021:

Grandeur Nature, the photo exhibition on the roof of the Grande Arche de la Défense
Beautiful photograph lovers are expected on the Grande Arche rooftop- reopening from July 1 - to discover an exhibition by two photographers, Olivier Löser and Laurent Monlaü, called Grandeur Nature. [Read more]

Picasso-Rodin, double exhibition at Paris Musée National Picasso and Musée Rodin
Paris Musée National Picasso and Musée Rodin team up and offer an exceptional double-exhibition about Picasso and Rodin. From May 19, 2021 to January 2, 2022, discover two exhibitions on the bonds between the two artists in their own Parisian museums. A great first you do not want to miss! [Read more]

Picasso-Rodin, Musée Rodin’s exhibition – our pictures
This is the event you do not want to miss: the double Picasso-Rodin exhibition is extended within the Musée Rodin and Musée Picasso. From May 19, 2021 to January 2, 2022, come and discover the unique story as told by these mixing masterpieces. [Read more]

Le Paris de Dufy, the exhibition at Paris Musée de Montmartre, our pictures
Paris lovers and art buffs can head to the Musée de Montmartre to discover – for the reopening starting from May 19 – the magnificent exhibition focusing on Raoul Dufy’s works called “Le Paris de Dufy”. An exhibition that has no ending date so far as it may be extended. [Read more]

Historic exhibitions in December 2021:

Paris – Athènes, naissance de la Grèce moderne: the exhibition to discover at the Louvre
The Louvre offers us a wonderful travel in time, a journey from Paris to Athens, discovering modern Greece. From September 30, 2021 to February 7, 2021, get on board for an extraordinary adventure celebrating the bicentenary of the independence of Greece. [Read more]

Playful exhibitions in December 2021:

Bio-inspirée, the new permanent exhibition at the Cité des Sciences et de l’Industrie
There it is! The latest permanent exhibition that will fascinate us endlessly. “Bio-inspirée” is coming from September 18, 2020 to the Cité des Sciences et de l’Industrie. A wonderful introduction to environment and sustainable solutions for children and older ones. [Read more]

Espions, the spy exhibition at Paris Cité des Sciences - reopening and extra time
Become a spy with Paris Cité des Sciences! In partnership with the national intelligence services and French TV series Le Bureau des Légendes [The Bureau], let’s put on the shoes of an agent who has to investigate a nuclear test abroad. The exhibition is back on June 27, 2020 and extended to August 1, 2021. [Read more]