The end of the year is drawing near: 2023 is about to draw to a close and make way for 2024. And while we're very excited about all the exceptional discoveries and outings that await us over the next twelve months, we're also thinking back with nostalgia to all those exhibitions we saw in 2023, and which we already miss.
It has to be said that the year 2023 offered us some wonderful experiences in the museums, galleries and art venues of Paris and the Île-de-France region. We've sailed from discovery to surprise, at the mercy of Parisian programming.
Like you, we loved every moment spent in front of the magnificent works on display. Let's take a look back at some of our favorites this year. Although we'd love to have included a lot more, we've selected a few of the great exhibitions of 2023.
And as a bonus, here's also a selection of our favorite exhibitions of the year, which are still on view for a few weeks! Don't miss them.
Horace Vernet: the exhibition unveils by night at the Château de Versailles - photos
A great traveler and favorite of Napoleon I and King Louis-Philippe, the painter Horace Vernet was as much admired as he was criticized. The Château de Versailles invites us to discover him in a major exhibition organized from November 14, 2023 to March 17, 2024. [Read more]
LEGO: The Art of the Brick, the exhibition returns to Montparnasse - our photos
LEGO fans, children at heart, discover Nathan Sawaya's incredible exhibition, The Art of the Brick, which is back in Paris, in Montparnasse to be precise, in the former Galeries Lafayette! This incredible exhibition features over 100 brick sculptures by Nathan Sawaya, on view from December 20, 2023 to at least March 3, 2024 (ticket sales to date). [Read more]
Aura, a sound and light show that illuminates the Dôme des Invalides - photos and video
Alerte, a new immersive show, arrives in Paris. From September 22, 2023, we'll be discovering Aura at the Musée de l'Armée, a sound and light show with video mapping that highlights the Dôme des Invalides. [Read more]
Nouvelles du paradis, the vacation postcard: the sunny exhibition at the Musée de la Poste
Do you enjoy sending postcards to all your friends during the vacations? Then this exhibition at the Musée de la Poste is for you! From September 6, 2023, to March 18, 2024, extend your vacations by exploring the history of this tourist object. [Read more]
Azzedine Alaïa, couturier collectionneur: a new fashion exhibition at the Palais Galliera
Share Azzedine Alaïa's passion for fashion history with the Palais Galliera's new exhibition "Azzedine Alaïa, couturier collectionneur"! From September 27, 2023 to January 21, 2024, the fashion museum will unveil for the first time 140 exceptional pieces from the couturier's collection, illustrating the evolution of fashion through the ages. [Read more]
Louis Janmot, le Poème de l'âme: an unusual exhibition at the Musée d'Orsay - our photos
The Musée d'Orsay is devoting an exhibition to Louis Janmot, painter and poet, and his work Le Poème de l'âme. On view from September 12, 2023 to January 7, 2024. [Read more]
Parfums d'Orient, the exhibition that delights the senses at the Institut du Monde Arabe - photos
Discover the perfumes of the Orient in an exhibition that thrills all our senses, to be admired at the Institut du Monde Arabe from September 26, 2023 to February 11, 2024. [Read more]
Océans l'odyssée immersive at the Atelier des Lumières in Paris, an underwater exhibition to die for!
A new immersive exhibition awaits Parisians of all ages at the Atelier des Lumières in Paris, from October 20, 2023 to January 7, 2024. It's time for Oceans, the immersive odyssey that takes us 20,000 leagues under the sea. [Read more]
Mike Kelley: "Ghost and Spirit" exhibition at the Bourse de Commerce, our photos
Mike Kelley's unclassifiable work is on show at the Bourse de Commerce in Paris from October 13, 2023 to February 19, 2024. For four months, come and discover the singular and subversive universe of this American visual artist through the "Ghost and Spirit" exhibition. [Read more]
The Bollywood Superstars exhibition unveils, immerse yourself in Indian cinema at the Musée du Quai Branly
The Musée du Quai Branly opens its doors to the enchanting world of Indian cinema with the "Bollywood Superstars" exhibition, on view from September 26, 2023 to January 14, 2024. Enter a world rich in color! [Read more]
Fashion and sport, the surprising and unexpected exhibition at the Musée des Arts Décoratifs - our photos
In the run-up to the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, the Musée des Arts Décoratifs will be exploring the links between sport and fashion throughout history, from antiquity to the present day, from September 20, 2023. [Read more]
Animal Kingdom' exhibition by Sean Landers at the Musée de la Chasse et de la Nature, final days
A leading figure in contemporary art and figurative painting, American artist Sean Landers is currently in the spotlight in Paris, with the magnificent "Animal Kingdom" exhibition at the Musée de la Chasse et de la Nature until March 10, 2024. [Read more]
The economy according to Asterix, the playful Gaulish exhibition extended at Citéco - our photos
How about learning some economic concepts from Asterix, Obelix and Dogmatix? At the Cité de l'Économie, from October 21, 2023 to April 21, 2024, we'll be counting our sesterces in Gaul, for a fun-filled exhibition! [Read more]
La Régence à Paris, l'aube des Lumières: the Musée Carnavalet's historical exhibition - our photos
Paris, after the Sun King... The Musée Carnavalet (re)discovers the Regency period, with a historical exhibition on view from October 20, 2023 to February 25, 2024. [Read more]
Retrospective of fashion designer Iris Van Herpen at the Musée des Arts Décoratifs
Iris Van Herpen will be the next fashion designer to be honored by the Musée des Arts Décoratifs, in a retrospective exhibition from November 29, 2023 to April 28, 2024. Between fashion, technology and "meta-morphism", the installation promises to be exceptional! [Read more]
Ramsès et l'or des pharaons: the incredible exhibition at La Villette - last days
If you're a fan of ancient Egypt, then head to Paris to discover an incredible new immersion. The traveling exhibition "Ramses and the Gold of the Pharaohs", on view at the Grande Halle de La Villette, has been extended until September 10, 2023. Don't miss the final days of this incredible exhibition, which explores the life of Ramses the Great and exceptionally welcomes the pharaoh's sarcophagus! [Read more]
Harry Potter exhibition at Paris Expo Porte de Versailles, last weekend
Harry Potter: the exhibition, which opened at Paris Expo on April 21, has been extended until October 15, 2023 due to high visitor numbers. Immerse yourself in the magical world with this exceptional immersive exhibition. [Read more]
Paris, capital of gastronomy: night-time exhibition at the Conciergerie - photos
Paris, capital of art, fashion... And of gastronomy! The Conciergerie highlights one of the great prides of the French, in a new exhibition to be seen from April 13 to July 16, 2023. [Read more]
Titanic: the immersive exhibition at Paris Expo Porte de Versailles is extended: photos
One of the most famous shipwrecks in history: the Titanic and her story are on show at Paris Expo Porte de Versailles. Visible since July 18, the exhibition has been extended until October 1, 2023. Authentic relics and objects recovered after the sinking, as well as life-size replicas of several areas of the liner, await us this summer. Tickets now available! [Read more]
Sarah Bernhardt exhibition at the Petit Palais, final days
A renowned actress, painter and sculptor, Sarah Bernhardt remains one of France's greatest artists. The Petit Palais pays tribute to this tragic actress with an exhibition on view until August 27, 2023. [Read more]
Hiroshige and the fan: a journey to 19th century Japan with the sublime exhibition at the Musée Guimet
The Guimet Museum offers us a beautiful journey in 19th century Japan, with the exhibition Hiroshige and the fan, to be discovered from February 15th to May 29th 2023. [Read more]
Poetry of the earth, Maya Rochat's exhibition combining nature and photography at the MEP
Until October 1, 2023, the Maison Européenne de la Photographie welcomes Belgian artist Maya Rochat for a colorful, immersive exhibition. [Read more]
Songlines, the Quai Branly Museum exhibition that plunges us into the Australian legends
The Quai Branly - Jacques Chirac Museum takes us to the heart of the Australian desert, with an exhibition not to be missed. Discover "Songlines" from April 4th to July 2nd 2023. [Read more]
Dior J'adore!, the free exhibition celebrating the House's iconic fragrance - extensions
The free "Dior J'adore!" exhibition is set to scent Fashion Week! From September 27 to October 8, Beaux-Arts de Paris celebrates the iconic Dior fragrance, an olfactory work of art born of Christian Dior's passion for flowers. Discover the timeless legacy of "J'adore" through the decades, the art and creativity that have marked its history. Due to its success, the exhibition has been extended! Reserve your place via the booking link at the bottom of the article. [Read more]
Eternal Mucha, the incredible exhibition on Art Nouveau unveiled at the Grand Palais Immersif
After Venice Revealed, the Grand Palais Immersif goes back in time, to the era of Art Nouveau and Alfons Mucha, for an exceptional immersive and digital exhibition, from March 22 to November 5, 2023. [Read more]
Manet / Degas: our photos of the mirror exhibition at the Musée d'Orsay
Édouard Manet and Edgar Degas, two great artists with opposing styles, are honored at the Musée d'Orsay, in an exhibition presented from March 28 to July 23, 2023. [Read more]
Elliott Erwitt: the sublime retrospective devoted to the photographer is extended at the Musée Maillol
Elliott Erwitt's many admirers are invited to the Musée Maillol in Paris to discover a grand and sublime exhibition dedicated to the famous photographer. Simply entitled "Elliott Erwitt", this retrospective will run from March 23 to September 24, 2023. [Read more]
Super Terram, the free immersive urban art exhibition at Espace Voltaire, photos and video
A giant and immersive urban art exhibition: it's happening at the Espace Voltaire, from February 10 to March 19, 2023. Come and admire the works of the Super Terram exhibition for free. [Read more]
Neo-Romantics, the painting exhibition at the Marmottan Monet Museum - our photos
They are the forgotten figures of modern art: the Musée Marmottan Monet highlights the Neo-Romantics in an exhibition on view from March 8 to June 18, 2023. [Read more]
And you, which exhibitions have made the biggest impression on you this year? And which ones will become your favorites of 2024 ?
The most eagerly awaited exhibitions in Paris museums in 2024
What exhibitions await us in Paris in 2024? The capital's museums and monuments are already making us salivate as they unveil some of the highlights of the coming year. Follow our guide to the dates of the major exhibitions you won't want to miss. [Read more]
The most eagerly awaited exhibitions in Paris museums in 2024
