A cultural outing idea for Mother's Day—interested? How about discovering a stunning Paris exhibition while you’re at it? Here’s a smart plan to enjoy a wonderful day with Mom and make lasting family memories. Whether you’re aiming for a visit this Sunday, May 31, 2026 or planning a future outing, sharing a few hours together will warm her heart.
So you need to organize an outing to discover a beautiful exhibition in Paris. But how do you choose between all the beautiful cultural events awaiting you in the capital? Luckily, we're here to help! We've put together a great selection ofhot exhibitions for you to discover on Mother's Day in Paris!
Here are the most beautiful exhibitions to discover with Mum on Mother's Day :
Fashion in all its majesty: the Haute Couture exhibition at the Musée des Arts Décoratifs unfolds — our photos
The Decorative Arts Museum hosts Fashion in Majesty: Haute Couture and Tradition at the Thai court from May 13 to November 1, 2026. Through more than a hundred outfits, accessories, and textile pieces drawn from the royal family's collections, the exhibition shows how Queen Sirikit modernized Thai ceremonial dress while preserving its traditional codes, notably through her collaboration with Pierre Balmain and Maison Lesage. [Read more]
Hilma af Klint at the Grand Palais: an exhibition weaving together spiritualism, the occult, and abstraction
Hilma af Klint, the Swedish visionary artist and a pioneer of abstraction, anchors a groundbreaking show at the Grand Palais, in collaboration with the Centre Pompidou, from May 6 to August 30, 2026. Her mystic works, nourished by Spiritism and the occult, are unveiled in France for the first time in a curatorial journey that brings together almost the entire body of the Temple Paintings cycle, her magnum opus. [Read more]
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. [Read more]
Matisse 1941-1954: More evening hours to visit the grand exhibition at the Grand Palais
Le Grand Palais and the Centre Pompidou unveil a fresh look at Matisse, focusing on his final years of life and creation. A retrospective that fans won’t want to miss, on view at the Grand Palais from March 24 to July 26, 2026. Evening openings are available on Wednesday nights starting May 27. [Read more]
Lafayette, bridging France and America: free exhibit on the Marquis at the National Archives
From April 1 to July 14, 2026, the National Archives will host a free exhibition dedicated to Marquis de Lafayette. Featuring rare documents, caricatures, and related artifacts, this exhibition traces the life of the "hero of two worlds" — a figure equally celebrated in the United States and debated within France, against the backdrop of revolutionary upheavals. [Read more]
Renoir and Love: A Landmark Retrospective at the Musée d'Orsay in Paris – Reviews and Photos
When love becomes light, Renoir turns it into art. With the exhibition "Renoir et l'amour" (March 17 - July 19, 2026), the Musée d'Orsay brings together his major masterpieces for a retrospective as modern as it is tender, in collaboration with the National Gallery in London and the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston. [Read more]
This two-part fashion exhibition, a marquee event, has been extended until mid-May 2026 — our photos
Since November 20, 2025, the Dior Gallery has been hosting an entirely new exhibition bringing together more than a hundred pieces from Azzedine Alaïa’s collection. Extended to May 17, 2026, this event echoes a second exhibition presented at the Azzedine Alaïa Foundation from December 1, 2025, and on view until June 21, 2026. Together, these two showcases celebrate the captivating dialogue between Dior and Alaïa, while highlighting the Tunisian couturier’s deep admiration for the mythical New Look. [Read more]
Lee Miller : a major exhibition devoted to the renowned photographer at the Museum of Modern Art
From April 10 to August 2, 2026, the Paris Musée d'Art Moderne will devote a major retrospective to photographer Lee Miller. Spanning nearly 250 vintage and contemporary prints, the exhibition aims to illuminate the breadth of the American artist's work, from her fashion shots to portraits and landscapes, and to her war photojournalism. [Read more]
Marilyn Monroe, a centenary celebration! The Hollywood icon is in the spotlight in an exhibition at the Cinémathèque.
The Cinémathèque marks the 100th anniversary of Marilyn Monroe's birth with a commemorative exhibition honoring the cinema icon. The star's legacy will be showcased from April 8 to July 26, 2026. [Read more]
Exhibition "Sèvres, a Rothschild Passion" : a deep dive into the sumptuous collections of the famous family at the Mobilier National
Dive into the art of 18th-century Sèvres porcelain, and especially into the highly sought-after Rothschild family collections, with the exhibition Sèvres, a Rothschild passion, on view from April 17 to July 26, 2026 at the Mobilier national. [Read more]
AURA INVALIDES, the must-see sound and light show in Paris
Looking for a unique nocturnal experience in Paris? Ready to be amazed and embark on a timeless journey to a legendary heritage site? Come and discover AURA INVALIDES, a sound and light show at the iconic Dôme des Invalides as night falls. A magical moment in the heart of the Dome, sure to delight young and old alike. [Read more]
Galerie Kiff & Marais: A showroom and exhibition space
Sponsored - Join us at the Kiff & Marais Gallery, a space for exhibitions, events, workshops, and live music. A gallery at the heart of the Marais, hosting a range of events and group exhibitions in the 3rd arrondissement. Every Thursday evening, come and attend openings at the Kiff & Marais Gallery. [Read more]
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. [Read more]
Leonardo Cremonini in Versailles: the exhibition at Espace Richaud and the Lambinet Museum — our photos
The Espace Richaud and the Lambinet Museum in Versailles are hosting an exhibition devoted to Leonardo Cremonini, a master of poetic realism, narrative stillness, and pictorial tension, from May 27 to October 5, 2026. [Read more]
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. [Read more]
Lélia Demoisy at Domaine de Chamarande: an exhibition exploring forest narratives — our photos
At the Domaine départemental de Chamarande in Essonne, Lélia Demoisy presents a contemporary art exhibition devoted to the forest, to living beings, and to the traces left by matter, running from May 10 to August 30, 2026. With Récits de forêts, the artist unfolds sculptures and installations within a sensitive journey around the memory of woods and landscapes. [Read more]
Primordial Water: the Louvre’s exhibition exploring Mesopotamian myths — our photos
The Louvre Museum in Paris presents The Primordial Water, an exhibition on water in ancient Mesopotamia, running from May 20, 2026 to March 15, 2027. Archaeological artifacts, myths, and irrigation show how this resource shaped the region’s earliest societies. [Read more]
Artists’ May 2026: a free urban art trail in Argenteuil this weekend.
Take advantage of the May sunshine to soak up art in Argenteuil: the city is staging a new edition of Mai des Artistes on May 30–31, 2026. A truly free art stroll for everyone! [Read more]
Common Worlds: the Albert-Kahn Departmental Museum’s Contemporary Photography Festival.
From May 20 to September 20, 2026, the Albert-Kahn Departmental Museum shines a spotlight on contemporary photography for the new edition of its festival, Mondes en commun. [Read more]
Everyone's chasing their cat: the exhibition exploring the many facets of the feline at Fluctuart — our photos
"Everybody’s Searching for Their Cat," that’s the name of the new free exhibition at Fluctuart. Mark your calendars from May 7 to August 23, 2026, to admire works by about ten artists rooted in urban art. For the occasion, Madame, Kraken, Ardif, and Wenna explore the many facets of the feline that fascinates us. [Read more]
Silla: Gold and the Sacred: The historical exhibition of Korea's royal treasures at the Guimet Museum
Explore the history of South Korea with the Guimet Museum's exhibition: it unveils ancient treasures from the Silla Kingdom, in "Silla: Gold and the Sacred," on display from May 20 to August 31, 2026. [Read more]
Just outside Paris, a free exhibition takes up residence in France’s largest cemetery.
Artworks will take over France’s largest cemetery from May 30 to November 15, 2026, as part of the Demeure exhibition. To discover it, head to the gates of Paris, at the Parisian Pantin Cemetery, conveniently accessible by metro. [Read more]
Here's something for moms with a passion for art and history, or simply a thirst for discovery. Of course, a visit to the Louvre Museum or a château in the Ile de France is just as good an idea. The most important thing is to show her that she's important to you, with, why not, a restaurant or a little cake to share at home.
Dates and Opening Time
On May 31, 2026
