Every year since 2010, August 19 has marked World Photography Day. More precisely, it's a tribute to the daguerreotype, one of the revolutionary processes that led to the invention of photography. The date was not chosen at random: on August 19, 1839, Louis Daguerre presented his invention to the Institut de France, forever changing the world of technology, the arts, information...
Yes, photography is a great invention! And a French one at that... So it's only natural that we should wish to celebrate this day, August 19. But how?
You can take to the streets of Paris, camera in hand, to capture moments of life and the beautiful landscapes the capital has to offer. And you can also head off to the region's museums and art galleries, to admire the artists of the genre, and the photo exhibitions organized this summer in Paris and the Île-de-France region.
There's no shortage of photo exhibitions in the capital. This art form appeals as much to creators as to the public, who attend each new photographic event. Fancy a photo exhibition on August 19, 2025? Here are a few ideas for outings you won't want to miss.
Artistic Market: a committed artistic market
Sponsored - See you on December 6 and 7, 2025, at L'Aiguillage in the heart of Les Frigos de Paris: a different kind of end-of-year market, combining art, craftsmanship, and conviviality. [Read more]
Robert Doisneau - Instants donnés: special nocturnes to discover the exhibition at the Musée Maillol
The Musée Maillol pays tribute to the famous photographer Robert Doisneau with a retrospective photo exhibition, presented from April 17 to October 19, 2025. Take advantage of exceptional nocturnes on October 9, 10, 11, 16, 17 and 18, 2025. [Read more]
Jeju Island, living with the sea: the haenyeo divers exhibition at the Korean Cultural Center
Immerse yourself in the daily lives of the haenyeo, the legendary female divers of Jeju Island, through a unique exhibition presented by the Korean Cultural Center until September 6, 2025. A vibrant tribute to these guardians of the sea, between tradition, memory and contemporary creation. [Read more]
Les chais de Bercy: a photo exhibition delving into Bercy Village's winegrowing past
From June 19 to September 21, 2025, an open-air photo exhibition at Bercy Village brings to life the wine epic, the world's largest wine and spirits market in the 19th century, through 30 archival photographs. [Read more]
Acne Paper Palais Royal: the permanent (art) gallery for the Acne Studios brand opens in Paris
Paris mixes fashion and culture in style! On June 26, 2025, Acne Studios opened its first independent art gallery, Acne Paper Palais Royal, under the arcades of the Palais Royal. An arty new spot in the heart of the 1st arrondissement. [Read more]
L'envol: a free, poetic photo exhibition at Galerie de l'Instant
Galerie de l'Instant puts dance in the spotlight, in a poetic and lyrical photo exhibition, to be discovered free of charge from June 19 to September 14, 2025. [Read more]
Superfacial: Audrey Tautou's free photo exhibition at Quai de la Photo, on the Seine in Paris
This summer, Audrey Tautou steps behind the lens with Superfacial, a free photo exhibition to be discovered from June 5 to September 10, 2025 at Quai de la Photo, on the banks of the 13th arrondissement in Paris. In it, she unveils three photographic series, funny, modest and hard-hitting. A human-sized print, far from myth, close to reality. [Read more]
Paname Rendez-vous, 13 bis & Mr Djub meet at the Roger-Viollet gallery for a free exhibition
Street-artist 13 bis and collage master Mr. Djub unveil a joint exhibition at Galerie Roger-Viollet. Come and discover this mix of styles with the free exhibition Paname Rendez-vous, from June 5 to September 13, 2025. [Read more]
Agnès Varda's Paris: our photos from the exhibition at the Musée Carnavalet
Agnès Varda cinéaste... everyone knows, but Agnès Varda photographe? The Musée Carnavalet is devoting an exhibition to THE filmmaker of the Nouvelle Vague, entitled "Le Paris d'Agnès Varda, de-ci, de-là", from April 9 to August 24, 2025. A tribute to her work, highlighting her close ties with Paris and the courtyard-atelier on rue Daguerre, through photographs, films and previously unseen archives. [Read more]
Mondes en commun: the Albert-Kahn museum's photography festival
The Musée Départemental Albert-Kahn puts contemporary photography in the spotlight with its Mondes en Commun festival. Discover its new edition from May 17 to September 7, 2025. [Read more]
Jeu de Paume: the art center dedicated to photography and images in Paris
On the border between the Tuileries Gardens and the Place de la Concorde, the Jeu de Paume art center celebrates images from the 19th century to the present day, with a rich and diverse program. [Read more]
There's plenty to see and do on this summer's day in Paris and the Ile-de-France region.
Dates and Opening Time
On August 19, 2025
