Hear ye! Hear ye! Hear ye! At the Tour Jean Sans Peur, the Middle Ages isn’t just a tapestry... it’s on display! Until March 7, 2027, Wednesdays through Sundays from 1:30 p.m. to 6 p.m., the exhibition Medieval Fashion is setting the clocks... and the hennins, right.
The last remaining vestige of the Parisian Palace of the Dukes of Burgundy, the Tour Jean Sans Peur, provides a fitting backdrop for exploring the art of medieval dress in all its details.
Historical exhibitions in Paris: art events to see now
Attention history buffs! Museums in Paris and the Paris region are overflowing with great exhibitions, immersing you in the history of France and the world... And if you're not sure which exhibition to choose, we've put together a selection of historical exhibitions and retrospectives for you to see again and again, for a journey through time like no other! [Read more]
Chapter one: la silhouette. Before the 13th century, garments were loose, fluid, almost drifting. Then, in the 14th and 15th centuries, they grew tighter and more structured, as if fashion learned to sculpt the body and assert a more built, defined look.
Second purse: the accessories. Headdresses, ornaments and details complete the outfit. In aristocratic courts, they are not mere decorations: they help to assert a style and distinguish social statuses, a bit like sartorial signs of recognition.
Part three: the social order. Clothing isn’t just about getting dressed. It also signals each person’s place in society. Depending on the outfit, you can discern rank, role, and identity: a way of "reading" the world through the clothes people wear.
The tour ends with the making and upkeep of medieval clothing. A touch station lets visitors touch and identify textiles, and learn their vocabulary—an hands-on exploration of materials and know-how.
The exhibition, led by Nadège Gauffre Fayolle, a historian specialized in medieval clothing, with the help of Soline Anthore and Nicolas Baptiste for loaning ensembles and accessories drawn from reconstructions.
Around, a full program: lectures, guided tours, medieval weekend themed around clothing, a capsule exhibition on the medieval tapestry, and discussions about restoration projects with the associations La Flêche de Saint Denis and Paris Historique. A veritable cabinet of curiosities to explore!
Looking for a fresh outing in April 2026? Here’s our pick of the new exhibitions to visit this month. Must-see outings you won’t want to miss! [Read more]
Dates and Opening Time
From April 8, 2026 to March 7, 2027
Location
Jean Sans Peur Tower
20, rue Etienne Marcel
75002 Paris 2
Prices
À partir de: €5
Visite guidée: €12
Official website
tourjeansanspeursite.wordpress.com
More information
Wednesday to Sunday, 1:30–6:00 p.m. (no reservation required)
Historical exhibitions in Paris: art events to see now
New: discover the exhibitions opening their doors in April 2026 at Paris museums
