The jeudi de l'Ascension, traditionally celebrated 40 days after Easter, opens a prime window to unwind and escape the daily grind. In 2026, the Ascension Thursday falls on 14 May. We then enjoy the Ascension long weekend stretching from 14 to 17 May 2026, promising four days of relaxation and discovery for the lucky ones who take the long weekend. Whether you decide to venture beyond the capital or rediscover Paris with a fresh perspective, the Ascension bridge weekend is the perfect opportunity.
For those who decide to stay in Paris, the city offers a multitude of cultural and artistic activities. Exhibitions in Paris over the Ascension weekend are a window onto the world of art, history and innovation. Among the 10 must-see exhibitions, you'll find retrospectives of renowned artists, captivating thematic exhibitions and interactive installations that will delight young and old alike. Each exhibition is an invitation to travel through time and space, discover new perspectives and enrich personal culture.
Don't miss this unique opportunity to immerse yourself in the fascinating world of the arts in Paris. Whether you're a history buff, amodern art lover or simply looking for an enriching experience, these exhibitions are for you. Make the most of your Ascension long weekend to explore, learn and marvel. Paris, with its incomparable cultural heritage and numerous galleries, promises unforgettable moments.
The Ascension Bridge is a golden opportunity to recharge your batteries, get inspired and enjoy the beauty and cultural richness of Paris. Don't wait any longer to organize your extended weekend and enjoy unique experiences in the City of Light.
Hilma af Klint at the Grand Palais: an exhibition weaving together spiritualism, the occult, and abstraction
Hilma af Klint, the Swedish visionary artist and a pioneer of abstraction, anchors a groundbreaking show at the Grand Palais, in collaboration with the Centre Pompidou, from May 6 to August 30, 2026. Her mystic works, nourished by Spiritism and the occult, are unveiled in France for the first time in a curatorial journey that brings together almost the entire body of the Temple Paintings cycle, her magnum opus. [Read more]
Fashion in all its majesty: the Haute Couture exhibition at the Musée des Arts Décoratifs unfolds — our photos
The Decorative Arts Museum hosts Fashion in Majesty: Haute Couture and Tradition at the Thai court from May 13 to November 1, 2026. Through more than a hundred outfits, accessories, and textile pieces drawn from the royal family's collections, the exhibition shows how Queen Sirikit modernized Thai ceremonial dress while preserving its traditional codes, notably through her collaboration with Pierre Balmain and Maison Lesage. [Read more]
Video Games & Music at the Philharmonie: our photos from the exhibition about video game music
The Philharmonie de Paris highlights video game music with the exhibition Video Games & Music – The Music You Are the Hero Of, on view from April 2 to November 1, 2026. conceived as an immersive, interactive journey, the show traces the evolution of video game soundtracks, from Pong’s early electronic tones to the expansive scores of Final Fantasy, demonstrating how musical creation has accompanied the history and transformations of the medium. [Read more]
Lee Miller : a major exhibition devoted to the renowned photographer at the Museum of Modern Art
From April 10 to August 2, 2026, the Paris Musée d'Art Moderne will devote a major retrospective to photographer Lee Miller. Spanning nearly 250 vintage and contemporary prints, the exhibition aims to illuminate the breadth of the American artist's work, from her fashion shots to portraits and landscapes, and to her war photojournalism. [Read more]
Giovanni Segantini at the Marmottan Monet Museum: our photos from the exhibition on the painter of the Alps
The Marmottan Monet Museum in Paris shines a light on Giovanni Segantini, a master of Symbolism and Divisionism, with an exhibition focused on his Alpine landscapes, running from April 29 to August 16, 2026. More than 60 works on display invite visitors to rediscover a major Italian painter, immersed in nature, light and a spiritual quest. [Read more]
Jardins des Lumières: an exhibition on the art of garden design at the Grand Trianon, Palace of Versailles
At the Grand Trianon of the Palace of Versailles, in Yvelines, the exhibition Jardins des Lumières (1750-1800) delves into the art of the landscape garden through nearly 160 works, including paintings, models, drawings, and furniture. Go see it from May 5 to September 27, 2026, and take the opportunity to explore the Trianon gardens and the Queen's Hamlet. [Read more]
Colors Festival returns to Paris with the street-art exhibition Colors Ligth, spanning 700 m², featuring the photos
The Colors Festival returns to Paris after a three-year hiatus and sets up in the 15th arrondissement with Colors Light, a new immersive exhibition exploring blacklight and urban art, opening from April 16 to July 26, 2026. [Read more]
Flops?! Dare to fail, dare to innovate: explore the after-hours exhibition before it ends at the Musée des Arts et Métiers.
The Museum of Arts and Crafts is exploring failure and its essential role in invention, through the quirky exhibition "Flops. Dare, Fail, Innovate," running from October 14, 2025, to May 17, 2026. Evening openings are planned from May 5 to May 16, 2026. [Read more]
Can’t find what you’re after? Explore all current exhibitions and our savvy deal guides:
Ascension Day 2026 in Paris: Museums and landmarks open on this public holiday Thursday
A new public holiday in France, another chance to enjoy museums and monuments near you: this Thursday, May 14, 2026, is Ascension Day. But which art and culture venues will stay open on the holiday? Here are the places to visit. [Read more]
Are you looking for a free museum in Paris or a free monument in Île-de-France? Free-access venues, free tours on the first Sunday of each month, museums free for under-26s and for teachers: discover the cultural deals you won’t want to miss. [Read more]
In Paris, young people under the age of 26, as well as students and teachers, have the chance to enter many museums and monuments for free! Free on presentation of an identity card or student card, museums allow all young people to open up to the world, to art and to enjoy our exceptional heritage, without discrimination, discover what you are entitled to. [Read more]
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Dates and Opening Time
From May 14, 2026 to May 17, 2026
Ascension Day 2026 in Paris: Museums and landmarks open on this public holiday Thursday
Free museums in Paris and free monuments in Île-de-France: the top cultural deals
Free museums and monuments for young people under 26 in Paris and the Ile-de-France region
