Top 10 unusual exhibitions of 2026

Sax carves out a cavern beneath the Madeleine Church for a free street-art exhibition.

We were thrilled to discover Sax’s inaugural exhibition in the crypt of the Church of the Madeleine. The street artist returns from June 18 to 28, 2026 with “La Caverne,” unveiling around fifty immersive works that visitors can view for free inside the monument.

Descriptive contemporary artworks take up residence in this superb medieval castle in the Val d'Oise.

Resident artists take over the Château de La Roche-Guyon in Val-d'Oise with new works and installations that blend sculpture, sound, and a fantastical menagerie. So we’re off to discover this immersive contemporary exhibition from June 20 to November 1, 2026. We’ve already had a sneak peek at a few pieces and can’t wait to see what else is in store.

JACE unveils his "Sensitive Heart" — a groundbreaking, free exhibition by the street artist in Paris's 13th arrondissement.

Street artist Jace, renowned worldwide for his famous Gouzous, returns to Paris with a new solo exhibition in collaboration with Mathgoth Gallery. This time, the French urban artist takes over a 300 m² pop-up space in the 13th arrondissement to present his "Cœur Sensible." A chance to view around sixty works brimming with humor and love.

Ocean Dreams at the Natural History Museum: a free, immersive dive into life under the sea

From June 6 to 8, 2026, the National Museum of Natural History puts the Ocean in the spotlight with Dreams of the Ocean, a free event featuring films, exploration stories, a photo exhibition and an immersive screening.

Javier Calleja's big-eyed characters come to Paris for a free exhibition.

Big-eyed characters, punchy phrases, and a cabinet-of-curiosities kind of hang: Javier Calleja unveils CURIOUSLY, his new free exhibition at the Almine Rech gallery in Paris, running May 30 through July 25, 2026.

Simulacres: the free exhibition at Magasins Généraux (93) that blurs the lines between reality and illusion.

Reality takes on a slight blur in Pantin, at the Magasins Généraux, from June 25 to September 27, 2026. With the free exhibition “Simulacres,” certainties falter and images sometimes hold the upper hand. Here, seeing isn’t always enough to understand.

Beyond the Streets at La Villette’s Grande Halle: the exhibition dedicated to the legends of graffiti and street art

Urban art comes to the Grande Halle at La Villette with the blockbuster exhibition "Beyond the Streets"! For three months, come and admire the work of more than 100 major artists around graffiti and street art. What’s on the program? Historic works, new pieces, archives, and immersive installations created especially for the occasion. All of it unfolds across more than 3,600 m², from May 27 to August 30, 2026.

Bricks of Wonder : the family-friendly exhibition built with construction bricks unfolds in Paris

Artist Dirk Denoyelle unveils works built from construction bricks in a playful, family-friendly exhibition to be explored from May 23 to August 16, 2026 at Espace Champerret in Paris.

Celestial Skies: An immersive experience exploring paintings and poetry at L’Atelier des Rêves

On June 4, L’Atelier des Rêves, a gallery in Paris’s 14th arrondissement, invites visitors to a sensory experience tied to the Ciels Célestes exhibition. The program features artworks to be discovered in a new light, an audio-guided journey, and a poetic reading by artist-performer Laura Rucinska.

Vent d’été Festival 2026 at Hangar Y: a weekend of art, nature and DJ sets in Meudon (92)

The Vent d’été Festival at Hangar Y launches a new artistic and family-friendly event on the outskirts of Paris, weaving together art, nature, live performance and DJ sets, on June 13 and 14, 2026.