Grand Palais: Free Exhibition Celebrates 200 Years of Le Figaro with an Immersive Journey Through the Newspaper’s History

Under the nave of the Grand Palais, a three-day celebration unfolds with an XXL festival marking "1826-2026: 200 Years of Freedom." This free exhibition offers a journey through two centuries of images, archives, and discussions—an immersive experience to rediscover 200 years of rich and inspiring history.

From January 14 to 16, 2026, the Grand Palais will be pulsating with a giant celebration: 200 years of history—rich in paper, ink, and debates—culminating in the free exhibition “1826-2026 Le Figaro: 200 Years of Freedom.” This event traces two centuries of images, archives, and encounters, offering a larger-than-life retrospective.
Everything kicks off on January 15, 1826, when Maurice Alhoy and Étienne Arago published the first issue of their newspaper, inspired by Figaro—the legendary character created by Beaumarchais. Two centuries later, their creation has evolved into a multimedia platform—print, online, apps, TV, and social media—representing more than just a newspaper. This bicentennial isn’t merely about marking an anniversary; it embodies two hundred years of a conscious culture of freedom—the freedom to express through words, images, and debate.
Under the vaulted ceiling of the Grand Palais, visitors will be able to explore rare archives, unseen images, live discussions, special broadcasts, and screenings, immersing themselves in this historic celebration.