La Nuit des Musées, it's your chance to discover a host of museums and monuments you might not know well, or to rediscover places you thought you knew inside out. Throughout the evening, numerous cultural temples swing open their doors for free, to showcase their collections and riches. The Institut du Monde Arabe doesn’t break with the rule and invites us to explore its treasures and program this Saturday May 23, 2026.
Inside theInstitut du Monde Arabe, visitors can wander through the museum's permanent collections, learning more about the history and cultures of Arab countries. In less than 40 years, the museum, which opened in 1987, has become a key venue for gaining a better understanding of the Arab language and culture, thanks to its educational and topical exhibitions. This multi-disciplinary venue puts the spotlight on artists from the Arab world, and creates a cultural bridge between Europe, France and the Arab world.
The IMA invites everyone to a special evening on May 23, 2026, marking the 22nd edition of the Night of Museums. It’s a chance to enjoy free updates from the venue and spend a memorable cultural evening!
In 2021, the musée de l’Institut du monde arabe receives a generous donation: a collection of archives, painted ceramics, and numerous gouache drawings created in the late 1960s during social-therapy workshops at Blida-Joinville Psychiatric Hospital (HPB), an Algerian institution shaped by the iconic figure of Frantz Fanon.
Here is this donation spotlighted within its historical context.
Blida-Joinville Psychiatric Hospital (HPB) was founded in 1933. Frantz Fanon (1925-1961), a psychiatrist and a leading figure in anti-colonial thought, served there as chief medical officer from 1953 to 1956; the hospital would bear his name after independence. In breaking with colonial psychiatry, Fanon renewed the psychiatric approach by adapting it to the local cultural and social realities of the residents. He built, with them and the medical staff, a social fabric within the institution, including activities such as manual crafts, music therapy, and sport, to encourage patient expression as a path toward possible healing and reintegration into society.
By the late 1960s, Fanon’s successors expanded this practice of social therapy. Evidence lies in the drawing workshops that produced this rich body of gouache paintings. Drawing became a genuine means of expression for the patients.
The exhibition examines the contents of these paintings by highlighting the human dimension of the residents who created them; and, drawing on the donation’s archives, it illuminates the historical context in which the contributions of the hospital’s artistic workshops took shape.
Join the Night of Museums 2026 at the IMA
For the occasion, the Institute will exceptionally open its doors after hours, inviting visitors into the heart of its collections and major exhibitions with an immersive, nocturnal experience.
“Flash Tours” of the museum led by specialists from 7:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m.
The program features free, self-guided access to the permanent collection, the exhibitions “Tenter l’art pour soigner” and “Libye, patrimoine révélé,” and the two flagship shows of the moment: “Byblos, millennia-old city of Lebanon” and “Slaves in the Mediterranean, 17th–18th centuries.” There will also be activities, mediations, and artistic interventions to make the experience even more immersive.
The exhibition Slaves in the Mediterranean. 17th–18th centuries focuses in particular on the presence and often-overlooked testimonies of North Africans and certain West Africans enslaved in Europe. Centered on the ports of France, Italy, and the island of Malta from the 17th century to the 1830s, it highlights the experiences and representations of people forced to work as galley rowers, servants, translators, musicians, and artists’ assistants.
It reveals the deep impact of this history on Europe’s material cultures by presenting a wide array of remarkable and rarely shown works: a life drawing of a Muslim slave by Louis XIV’s chief painter, Charles Le Brun; artworks depicting or inspired by Pietro Tacca’s iconic monument known as the “Quattro Mori”; paintings portraying the suppression of a slave revolt in Malta in 1749; an exceptional Fabroni drawing album showing galley slaves at work and at rest; and other notable objects such as maritime weapons, ship sculptures, talismans, and letters written by Muslim and Christian captives, which will be read aloud.
Finally, an unprecedented contemporary artwork, Suspended inTime, by artist Kevork Mourad, will offer new perspectives on what this long history has become: from its neglect after the 1830 French takeover of Algiers to current debates about artworks that depicted slavery, including the Quattro Mori.
The exhibition Slaves in the Mediterranean. 17th–18th centuries focuses in particular on the presence and often-overlooked testimonies of North Africans and certain West Africans enslaved in Europe. Centered on the ports of France, Italy, and the island of Malta from the 17th century to the 1830s, it highlights the experiences and representations of people forced to work as galley rowers, servants, translators, musicians, and artists’ assistants.
It reveals the deep impact of this history on Europe’s material cultures by presenting a wide array of remarkable and rarely shown works: a life drawing of a Muslim slave by Louis XIV’s chief painter, Charles Le Brun; artworks depicting or inspired by Pietro Tacca’s iconic monument known as the “Quattro Mori”; paintings portraying the suppression of a slave revolt in Malta in 1749; an exceptional Fabroni drawing album showing galley slaves at work and at rest; and other notable objects such as maritime weapons, ship sculptures, talismans, and letters written by Muslim and Christian captives, which will be read aloud.
Finally, an unprecedented contemporary artwork, Suspended inTime, by artist Kevork Mourad, will offer new perspectives on what this long history has become: from its neglect after the 1830 French takeover of Algiers to current debates about artworks that depicted slavery, including the Quattro Mori.
**Discover the library’s selection around the exhibition**
Come experience Nuit des musées 2026 at IMA!
For the occasion, the Institute is opening its doors after dark, offering an immersive journey through its collections and major exhibitions.
“Flash Tours” of the museum by lecturers from 7:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m.
The program features free independent access to the permanent collections, the exhibitions “Tenter l’art pour soigner” and “Libye, patrimoine révélé,” and the two major current shows: “Byblos, millennia-old city of Lebanon” and “Slaves in the Mediterranean, 17th–18th centuries.” Plus activities, mediations, and artistic interventions to make the experience even more immersive!
For nearly fifty years, the French archaeological mission in Libya has been exploring and highlighting an exceptional patrimony—from prehistory to the medieval era—across the Libyan territory. The exhibition documents and showcases their work.
Among the sites featured:
Măsak The Măsak campaign was the first preventive archaeology mission ever carried out in Libya, from 2001 to 2005, in the NC191 oil concession in the heart of the Sahara. About sixty archaeologists surveyed 4,000 kilometers of seismic lines laid out during hydrocarbon explorations. The results are substantial: 3,596 archaeological units discovered, renewing knowledge of this hard-to-access region.
Bu Njem and Syrtique A first mission led by René Rebuffat (1967–1976) focused on studying Roman fortifications lines and excavated the ancient fortress of Gholaia, the modern Bu Njem. André Laronde, with Mohamed Fakroun and Monique Longerstay, led a second mission (1990–1999) in five valleys of the Syrte region, revealing an ancient settlement mainly composed of farms and dry-stone walls that held water and soil, delineating plots of farming and livestock.
Leptis Magna Founded by the Phoenicians in the 7th century BCE, Leptis Magna reached its peak under the Roman Empire thanks to flourishing trade and the favor of Septimius Severus, a city native who left a legacy in its monuments still seen today. In 1993, André Laronde identified baths he named “Levantine” after their location in the Roman city, the second-largest in Tripolitania after Hadrian’s baths at Leptis Magna. Adorned with mosaics, marbles, painted plaster, and stuccoes, the baths operated until the mid-3rd century. The site is also remarkable for its water-supply system, whose full secrets have yet to be revealed for future missions…
Abou Tamsa The rock-shelter of Abou Tamsa in Cyrenaica was occupied between the 7th and 5th millennia BCE by small groups of pastoralist-hunter-gatherers who were among the first in North Africa to produce ceramic vessels and raise domesticated goats imported from the eastern Mediterranean. The archaeological material gathered informs us about the activities of these Neolithic populations.
Apollonia The ancient port of Cyrene, founded in the 7th century BCE, became autonomous around 100 BCE, under the name Apollonia. Largely open to the Mediterranean, its existence is attested for more than a millennium, from the archaic period to late antiquity; it then adopted the Christian name of Sôzousa and became the capital of Cyrenaica. Ground and underwater excavations at Apollonia have helped better understand the city, including its wall, the double harbor now submerged, baths, and the stadium beyond the walls. Since 2002, Jean-Sylvain Caillou has continued research on the Acropolis.
Latrun Located on the coast east of Apollonia and at the foot of Djebel el Akhdar, Erythron-Latrun reveals the history of a prosperous Cyrenaican settlement that attracted seafarers, traders, and pilgrims from antiquity and today stands as an archaeological and natural site with exceptional potential, offering a unique glimpse into the evolution of ancient Cyrenaican villages from the Hellenistic period to eventual abandonment after the Arab conquests.
Western Marmarique In 2010, a Franco-Libyan team ventured into a little-known region: Western Marmarique, tasked with mapping vestiges along seismic zones for Total Libye. Result: 56 identified archaeological sites, traces of life from prehistory to the present. Between Egypt and Cyrenaica, nomadic tribes left forts, mausoleums, ancient settlements, and ingeniously designed irrigation systems. Greek, Roman, and Byzantine influences mingle with local traditions, painting a portrait of a crossroads region, a passageway, or a military stronghold.
Surt Located in the center of coastal Libya, in the desert separating Tripolitania from Cyrenaica, Surt was the first Islamic site excavated in Libya in 1963. From 2007 to 2010, five campaigns were led by Jean-Michel Mouton. A topographic-archaeological map charted the city’s general layout, identifying several excavation sectors: defensive works (southwest fort and north gate), religious buildings (ziyāda of the mosque), and a housing area. These digs significantly pushed back the dating of the last occupation to the 14th century.
Underwater excavations of the Apollonia port Apollonia, now partly submerged, hosts some of the most remarkable underwater architectural remains in the Mediterranean. The MAFL notably excavated a sunken ancient ship in the inner harbor and traced the topographical evolution of harbor structures and surroundings from their origins in the 6th century BCE. Alongside these scientific advances, a rich assemblage of artefacts is housed at the Apollonia museum: pottery, coins, bronze and stone or marble works such as this remarkable portrait of Ptolemy III or a statue of Dionysus.
Underwater excavations at Leptis Magna and Sabratha At Leptis Magna, the study focused on the foreport, with an unexpected result: the channel was lined with a second jetty protecting the harbor entrance from eastern swells. At Sabratha, digging revealed on the coast warehouses, basins, and sea-eroded silos. Opposite, the near-shore rock supported a seawall, smoothed by the waves.
Combating illicit trafficking of archaeological goods Libya’s heritage is threatened by the trafficking of its patrimony. Since 2011, thefts, clandestine digs, and illegal exports have accelerated, fueled by strong international demand. Since 2012, the MAFL, with Morgan Belzic, Camille Blancher, and Vincent Michel, has fought this phenomenon in close collaboration with law enforcement and the DOA: identifying whitewashed works, analyzing networks and looted sites. More than 250 objects have been identified, enabling investigations, arrests, and 29 seizures in 9 countries, including 19 restitutions to Libya.
Come spend the Night of Museums 2026 at the IMA!
On this occasion, the IMA will exceptionally open its doors for a nighttime experience, inviting visitors to dive into its collections and flagship exhibitions.
“Flash Tours” of the museum by guest speakers from 7:30 PM to 10:30 PM
The program features free, self-guided tours of the permanent collections, the exhibitions “Tenter l’art pour soigner” and “Libye, patrimoine révélé,” and the two major current shows: “Byblos, Ancient City of Lebanon” and “Slaves in the Mediterranean, XVIIth–XVIIIth centuries.” There will also be activities, mediations, and artistic interventions for an even more immersive experience!
At a moment when safeguarding Lebanon’s heritage and passing on cultural legacies are pressing challenges, the Institut du monde arabe is dedicating an exceptional exhibition to Byblos, Lebanon’s ancient city and one of the oldest continuously inhabited settlements in the world.
Dive into the history of the world’s first international maritime port: Byblos, which played a key role in Mediterranean history, linking the Lebanese coast with Egypt, Mesopotamia and the Aegean world since ancient times, forging unique ties with the pharaohs and playing a major part in the spread of the Phoenician alphabet.
Obelisk of Abishemou, the mosaic of the Abduction of Europe…: 400 exceptional pieces, staged in a spectacular setting, immerse you in the saga of one of Lebanon’s oldest cities, UNESCO-listed as a World Heritage site. A story that began more than 8,900 years ago, featuring navigators and merchants, kings and pharaohs. Discover exclusively: the latest findings from the ancient port and the fruits of the most recent excavations, which have revealed the South Gate of the city and a Bronze Age necropolis that, remarkably, remains intact to this day.
Le programme est mis à jour en fonction des annonces officielles.
A wonderful program highlighting artists from the Arab world, and allowing us to (re)see the museum's temporary exhibitions from a new angle. In short, a not-to-be-missed event during this Nuit des Musées! So, shall we go?
Dates and Opening Time
On May 23, 2026
Location
Arab World Institute
1 Rue des Fossés Saint-Bernard
75005 Paris 5
Access
Metro Jussieu line 7, line 10
Prices
Free
Official website
www.imarabe.org
