Yann Arthus-Bertrand exhibition at the Concorde vandalized by supporters: Paris mobilizes

The 'Living Together' exhibition by Yann Arthus-Bertrand, staged outdoors at Place de la Concorde in Paris's 8th arrondissement since April 11, 2026, was heavily vandalized in the night from Wednesday, May 6 to Thursday, May 7, amid celebrations of Paris Saint-Germain’s progression to the Champions League final, even though the Champs-Élysées had been closed to revelers. Facing the vandalism, the photographer issued a call for solidarity that immediately mobilized hundreds of Parisians. The free, publicly accessible exhibition remains on view until Sunday, May 10, 2026: a few days left to discover it.

At 5:30 a.m., Yann Arthus-Bertrand arrives on the scene and takes in the spectacle. His photos lie on the ground. The exhibition installations had largely been toppled in the wake of the unrest that followed PSG's victory over Bayern Munich. Of the 180 images on display, around 100 were damaged. The culprits literally pounced on them. “I was warned overnight, and when I saw all this, it was a bit sad,” the photographer said. With a note of iron in his voice, he commented on Instagram: “Clearly, PSG supporters loved the exhibition.” The night also saw fireworks, fires, and clashes with the police, resulting in 127 arrests in the Paris metropolitan area and 34 injuries, including 23 officers.

Three years of work toppled in a single night: what is the 'Living Together' exhibition?

Behind these toppled panels lies a long, ongoing human and artistic undertaking that has been hurt along the way. “Living Together” is the result of a collaboration between Yann Arthus-Bertrand and the GoodPlanet Foundation, with demographer Hervé Le Bras, built from nearly 90 photo studios spread across France between 2023 and 2026 to forge a vast collective portrait of modern France. After a notable run at Paris City Hall in autumn 2025, attracting around 35,000 visitors, these portraits are now taking to the public space to mark the 200th anniversary of photography. On Place de la Concorde, the exhibition gains extra momentum with a temporary photo studio designed by architect Renzo Piano, where more than 5,000 portraits have been taken since its opening. The shots may be worn, to be sure, but they aren’t erased: “They’re still visible, they’ll be re-fitted, but they’re still here. What matters is that the meaning of the show remains,” says the photographer.

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• This week's top picks in Paris and Île-de-France for May 4–10, 2026.

The "Vivre Ensemble" exhibition by Yann Arthus‑Bertrand at Place de la Concorde: free studio and activities.
This spring, Yann Arthus‑Bertrand invites you to discover the beauty and diversity of today’s France through a groundbreaking event called "Living Together." What’s on the program? A photo exhibition, a photo studio, not to mention encounters to be discovered on Place de la Concorde from April 11 to May 10, 2026. More details to come. [Read more]

How did Yann Arthus-Bertrand react to the vandalism?

Rather than retreating into despair, Yann Arthus-Bertrand chose to rally collective action. On Instagram, he puts it plainly: “Long live football... long live photography and above all long live living together. With your gloves and your screwdrivers, join us!” The outreach has surpassed his expectations. “There are 30 or 40 people who showed up right away to lend a hand. I think we’ll reach 300 given the calls we’re receiving,” he says, clearly moved. A response that, in its own way, validates the title of the exhibition.

There’s still time until Sunday, May 10, 2026 to head to Place de la Concorde and discover this outdoor, free, no-reservation exhibition, presented by the GoodPlanet Foundation. A wonderful chance to swing by the square in the 8th arrondissement, not far from the Champs-Élysées and the Grand Palais, and to bear witness to a collective momentum that, in the end, says a lot about the Paris we love.