The international Art Basel fair is a major annual event that brings together contemporary art enthusiasts and professionals. Held at the Grand Palais in Paris, the fair showcases artists and galleries from around the world. But that’s not all! A whole host of exhibitions, talks, performances and artistic events take place alongside the fair, enlivening Paris’s cultural scene and turning the event into a major celebration of contemporary art.
Art Basel was due to take place in Paris from October 23 to 25, 2026. However, because of the demonstrations planned for Saturday, October 24, and the current social climate, the fair has decided to cancel the event. Art Basel will be open to the public only on Friday, October 23, and will then close its doors for good at 7 p.m.
This news may disappoint many art lovers, who had planned to enjoy the event over the weekend. While it won’t be possible to visit Art Basel again until next year, that doesn’t mean it’s impossible to immerse yourself in contemporary art this weekend.
On October 24 and 25, 2026, numerous exhibitions are open to the public. There are also various art fairs in Paris showcasing artists from all walks of life. Here are some suggestions for outings for lovers of contemporary art.
Céleste Richard‑Zimmermann: at the Palais de Tokyo, broken columns to question the monuments
At the Palais de Tokyo in Paris, Céleste Richard-Zimmermann makes the symbols of authority wobble around a broken column. Her exhibition “Not all columns have a heart of stone” blends sculptures, paintings and sound works in a setting that evokes an abandoned quarry, from October 21, 2026 to January 10, 2027. [Read more]
Rose Lowder at the Palais de Tokyo — The Source of the Loire, nature filmed frame by frame
Rose Lowder plays with our perception of flowers, streams and landscapes through 16 mm cinema. The Palais de Tokyo in Paris presents her work on film in the exhibition "La Source de la Loire et autres films", from 21 October 2026 to 14 February 2027. [Read more]
Paul Kodjo — Photoromance: Abidjan's photoromances are on display at the Palais de Tokyo
Paul Kodjo photographs a Côte d’Ivoire in transition, between love stories and Abidjan nights. His images and his photoromans form "Photoromance", an exhibition at the Palais de Tokyo in Paris, co-produced with the Rencontres d’Arles and presented from 21 October 2026 to 14 February 2027. [Read more]
Sonia Gomes — Wild Heart: Textile sculptures at the Palais de Tokyo
Sonia Gomes shapes memory by assembling fabrics, ropes, and found objects. At Palais de Tokyo in Paris, the Brazilian artist presents "Cœur sauvage," a sculpture-focused show dedicated to transmission and its Afro-Brazilian heritage, on view from October 21, 2026 to February 14, 2027. [Read more]
Ali Cherri at the Palais de Tokyo — Today is OK: cinema and sculptures exploring the vulnerability of soldiers
Que fait la guerre à ceux qui la mènent ? Ali Cherri explores the vulnerability of soldiers with “Today is OK,” his exhibition at the Palais de Tokyo in Paris, running from October 21, 2026 to February 14, 2027. Sculpture and installations extend this reflection around his film “La Sentinelle,” featuring Nahuel Pérez Biscayart and Éric Cantona. [Read more]
Valérie John at the Palais de Tokyo — Indigo, memory and textiles between Martinique and Senegal
At the Palais de Tokyo in Paris, indigo blue tells stories of materials and territories. The exhibition “I telman nwè ki i blé” by Valérie John brings together paper, fabrics, and installations to forge links between Martinique and Senegal, from October 21, 2026 to February 14, 2027. [Read more]
Sow Our Resistances: A freely accessible, advocacy-focused exhibition to explore at the Maif Social Club
Contemporary artists envision fairer, more sustainable futures through the exhibition Semons nos résistances. Free to visit at the Maif Social Club from October 17, 2026 to July 24, 2027. [Read more]
"Where's our money?" — a free and socially engaged exhibition on the economic power of women
"Où sont nos thunes" is the free, activist exhibition that casts a critical eye on women’s economic power. Nearly a dozen artists question society through the lens of art in a parcours that blends works, texts and archives, on view until October 24, 2026. [Read more]
Art Basel Paris 2026: Alice Diop and Miu Miu Take Over the Palais d’Iéna — Performance Schedule
On the occasion of Art Basel Paris 2026, Miu Miu takes over the Palais d’Iéna with Geste de Consolation, Alice Diop’s first solo exhibition, running from October 21 to 25. A free event at the crossroads of disciplines, where genres mingle. Discover the program of readings and performances. [Read more]
The Harvest Season: Ibrahim Mahama and Ghanaian artists transform the Cartier Foundation
The Cartier Foundation welcomes artist Ibrahim Mahama and his Ghanaian collaborators for a major multidisciplinary exhibition, on view from 22 October 2026 to 28 February 2027. [Read more]
Art Basel 2026: a quirky menagerie settles in at the Petit Palais, the free exhibition unfolds
The Petit Palais hosts a free, offbeat contemporary art exhibition from October 20 to 25, 2026, as part of Art Basel Paris’s off-site programming. Dash over to discover these adorable works! [Read more]
Art Basel Paris 2026: Contemporary artworks line Winston Churchill Avenue
Winston Churchill Avenue—the artery that separates the Petit and Grand Palais—will become an open-air museum from October 20 to 25, 2026, as part of Art Basel Paris’ artistic program. Discover this year’s selected works on an unconventional stroll. [Read more]
Art Basel 2026: an installation exploring memory at the Chapelle des Petits-Augustins in Paris
La Chapelle des Petits-Augustins des Beaux-Arts de Paris participates in the 2026 edition of Art Basel Paris, presenting a free, off-site installation that the public can explore at will from October 20 to 25, 2026. [Read more]
Prune Nourry’s Exhibition at the Petit Palais: Visionaries, 18 Overlooked Women Sculptors Reveal Themselves
The free exhibition Visionaries by Prune Nourry lands at the Petit Palais in Paris’ 8th arrondissement, running from October 20, 2026 to January 24, 2027: eighteen monumental busts restore the faces of the forgotten women sculptors in art history. [Read more]
Moderne Art Fair 2026 in Paris: fair cut short, closing this Friday evening, October 23, earlier than planned
Due to demonstrations announced in Paris this weekend, Moderne Art Fair 2026 is closing earlier than planned. Originally scheduled to run until Sunday, October 25, on Place de la Concorde, the modern, contemporary art and design fair will instead end on Friday, October 23. The fair will remain closed on Saturday, October 24, and Sunday, October 25. [Read more]
AKAA: changed opening hours this weekend for the contemporary art fair at Carreau du Temple
The AKAA contemporary African art fair returns to the Carreau du Temple from October 23 to 25, 2026. Due to the demonstration, the fair will be closed to the public on Saturday, October 24, 2026. [Read more]
Art Shopping 2026: the contemporary art fair to discover this weekend at the Carrousel du Louvre
The Art Shopping fair takes place at the Carrousel du Louvre in Paris, from October 23 to 25, 2026, for its autumn edition. Take advantage of this free arts event! [Read more]
Menart Fair 2026: the international fair dedicated to Middle Eastern and Maghrebi art is back this weekend
The countries of the Middle East and the Maghreb are brimming with talented contemporary artists: come discover them from October 23 to 25, 2026 at Menart Fair, the international fair to be explored at the Joseph-Turenne Gallery in the Marais, Paris. [Read more]
