To take a photo is to freeze a moment in time. And that's what these photo exhibitions, currently open to the public in Paris, are all about. Take in the sights, emotions and varied landscapes of the capital's finest museums. Renowned photographers and talented young enthusiasts are all on show in the City of Light. Lovers of beautiful images, don't miss out on these photo exhibitions, before they disappear!
So, what exhibitions dedicated to theart of photography are waiting for you in Paris and the Île-de-France region? To help you make sure you don't miss out on any cultural goodies, we've put together a roundup of current and upcoming photography exhibitions in the Paris region. Whether it's in one of Paris's biggest museums, art galleries or more unusual venues, you'll be able to indulge your passion for photography. Who knows, you might even fall in love with a work of art that you can acquire!
This guide is updated as we make new discoveries and post new announcements, so if you'd like to be kept up to date with the best deals, we suggest you bookmark this page and check it regularly!
This fashion exhibition in Paris reveals the intimate Africa of a master couturier in 50 silhouettes.
Memories turned into silhouettes. From July 7, 2026 to January 4, 2027, the Azzedine Alaïa Foundation stages an exhibition that explores the deep ties between the designer and Africa, through around fifty creations and previously unseen photographs by Peter Beard. [Read more]
Fragile Beauty: Elton John's Photo Collection on Display at the Jeu de Paume — Our Photos
The Jeu de Paume unveils a curated selection of photographs from Elton John and David Furnish’s collections. The exhibition is open from June 12 to September 27, 2026. [Read more]
Two fashion photographers take the spotlight in a chic, free exhibition at Galerie Rouge.
La Galerie Rouge invites us to discover the work of two American fashion photographers, in a free exhibition running from May 29 to September 19, 2026. [Read more]
Sumo, Sacred Forces: a photo exhibition worth seeing at the Maison de la culture du Japon
As the capital welcomed the Paris Sumo Tournament, the Maison de la Culture du Japon is hosting a free exhibition dedicated to this ancient martial art. Be sure to visit through September 26, 2026 to discover "Sumo, Sacred Forces", a photographic installation by Bruno Aveillan. [Read more]
Two centuries of images: a free, outdoor photography exhibition in Hauts-de-Seine.
The Domaine de Sceaux and the Chanteraines departmental park are hosting a brand-new, free photo exhibition. From June 18 to December 18, 2026, discover “Two Centuries of Images.” [Read more]
Madeleine de Sinéty, A Life: The Retrospective Exhibition at the Jeu de Paume — Our Photos
The Jeu de Paume is presenting a retrospective of Madeleine de Sinéty's work, a photographer who captured rural daily life. The exhibition "Une vie" is on view from June 12 to September 27, 2026. [Read more]
Night-time Paris of the 20th century unfolds in a free photo exhibition at the Roger-Viollet Gallery.
Paris shines as much by day as by night: discover the capital’s rich nocturnal life, with the exhibition "Paris, Open at Night," on view for free from June 11 to October 3, 2026 at the Roger-Viollet Gallery. [Read more]
Photography in full letters: an artistic alphabet on display at the MEP
The European House of Photography celebrates the rich history and breadth of photography with a playful, original exhibition running from June 10 to September 13, 2026. [Read more]
Exhibition: Camille Vivier in a retrospective at the Maison Européenne de la Photographie
The European House of Photography is devoting a major retrospective to French artist Camille Vivier, a figure in contemporary photography as arresting as she is powerful. The exhibition runs from June 10 to September 13, 2026. [Read more]
Roma, City of Light: the free photo exhibition to see this summer outdoors in Paris
The Roma, City of Light exhibition offers a portrait of the Italian capital through cinema’s seventh art, and examines its role as a backdrop in film. The free exhibit runs from July 2 to 6, 2026 at the Arènes de Lutèce, then continues until August 30 along the banks of the Seine. [Read more]
Marilyn Monroe at the Galerie de l’Instant, a photography exhibition centered on Sam Shaw’s portraits
The Galerie de l’Instant in Paris presents "Marilyn, Portrait of a Radiant Child," an exhibition devoted to the photographs of Marilyn Monroe by Sam Shaw, from June 1 to September 15, 2026. A journey through the star’s image, spanning cinema, portraiture, and more intimate moments. [Read more]
Common Worlds: the Albert-Kahn Departmental Museum’s Contemporary Photography Festival.
From May 20 to September 20, 2026, the Albert-Kahn Departmental Museum shines a spotlight on contemporary photography for the new edition of its festival, Mondes en commun. [Read more]
Heritage in Resistance: From Timbuktu to Odessa, an Exhibition at the City of Architecture.
Sponsored - In Paris, the Cité de l’architecture et du patrimoine presents the exhibition Patrimoines en résistance : de Tombouctou à Odessa, running from May 20, 2026 to January 3, 2027, a look at heritage in wartime, where destruction, safeguarding, and rebuilding come into play. [Read more]
The Great Ages: Nikos Aliagas's tender photo exhibition at the Musée de l'Homme
Until January 3, 2027, Nikos Aliagas is exhibiting at the Musée de l’Homme. Blending intimate portraits with scientific data, « Les Grands âges » examines our relationship with aging and the essential role of our elders, through a photographic exhibition. [Read more]
All-Inclusive Exhibition: Photographer Kourtney Roy and Citéco question tourism through our photos
With her vintage aesthetic and striking photographs, artist Kourtney Roy humorously highlights the contradictions of global tourism. Don't miss the exhibition All Inclusive, running from February 20 to September 20, 2026, at the City of Economy. [Read more]
Robert Capa Exhibition at the Museum of the Liberation of Paris
The Museum of the Liberation of Paris is hosting an exhibition dedicated to Robert Capa, a legendary figure in war photojournalism, in collaboration with Magnum Photos. This immersive journey explores his perspective on 20th-century conflicts and is open from February 18 to December 20, 2026. [Read more]
Simone Veil. My Sisters and I: An Intimate, Free Exhibition at the Memorial to the Holocaust — Our Photos
The Shoah Memorial highlights the special bond between Simone Veil and her sisters with an emotionally compelling exhibition running from February 10 to October 15, 2026. [Read more]
From steel to paper, a look at engraved stamps: the exhibition at the Postal Museum
The Postal Museum is presenting an exhibition of photos on the engraved stamp, which can be seen from November 7, 2025, to October 12, 2026. [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]
Hassan Hajjaj: My rock stars, the colorful portraits by the contemporary artist on display at the Music Museum
Hassan Hajjaj, the renowned contemporary artist and photographer who draws on his Moroccan heritage and multiculturalism, unveils his colorful, playful portraits in an unprecedented exhibition to be seen at the Museum of Music from September 22, 2026 to April 25, 2027. For the occasion, the group Acid Arab will present a sound piece that engages with the exhibition. [Read more]
U2: An Irish Story, the exhibition marking the 50th anniversary of Bono's band at the Irish Cultural Centre
This autumn, U2 turns 50! To mark the occasion, the Irish Cultural Centre in Paris is hosting a free exhibition devoted to the legendary Irish rock band U2. Mark your calendars for September 23, 2026, to discover this unprecedented event. [Read more]
Rafael Pavarotti Photographer: A Fashion Photography Exhibition at the Museum of Decorative Arts in Paris
Fashion photography takes over the Museum of Decorative Arts with an exhibition dedicated to Rafael Pavarotti. From September 23, 2026, to February 7, 2027, over 200 vibrant prints will showcase, for the first time in France, the career of the Brazilian photographer and engage in a dialogue with the museum's photographic collections. [Read more]
Small Lives: Centre Pompidou's exhibition at the Panthéon
The exhibition Vies minuscules fills the Pantheon’s nave in Paris from 25 September 2026 to 31 January 2027. About thirty artists from the Centre Pompidou’s collections tell the stories of anonymous lives, with no extra ticket required. [Read more]
The Catacombs host a photo exhibition on Paris, from the depths to the skies.
The photographer Nadar, renowned for his images of Paris, is being celebrated at the Catacombs of Paris. From September 29, 2026 to January 31, 2027, don’t miss the exhibition "Nadar: Inventing Paris, From the Depths to the Sky." [Read more]
Japanese photography since 1945 on display at the BnF François-Mitterrand site
From September 30, 2026 to January 31, 2027, the BnF François-Mitterrand site highlights Japanese photography since 1945, presenting the work of around a hundred artists, including Hiromi Tsuchida, Shigeo Gocho, Yoshi Takata, Mamoru Sakamoto, and Kazuo Amemiya. [Read more]
In Paris, this exhibition traces 60 years of fashion through the lens of Irving Penn, opening in September.
Irving Penn makes his mark at the Maison Européenne de la Photographie with PENN & FASHION, running from September 30, 2026 to January 17, 2027. Spanning more than six decades of images, the exhibition shows how his eye reshaped the rules of fashion photography, from Dior and Balenciaga to Issey Miyake, Chanel, and John Galliano. [Read more]
Remember Me: Masterpieces of photography from the Pinault Collection are on display at the Bourse de Commerce.
This fall and winter, the Bourse de Commerce hosts the photographic masterpieces from the Pinault Collection. From October 7, 2026 to January 18, 2027, you can explore around 700 works by more than 70 artists, including Erwin Blumenfeld, Henri Cartier-Bresson, Lee Miller, Irving Penn, Cindy Sherman, and Annie Leibovitz. [Read more]
Parallax: Stan Douglas, the artist at the center of a photography exhibition at the Jeu de Paume
Photography as a way to tell stories and shape reality... Discover Stan Douglas’s work through the Parallax exhibition, on view at the Jeu de Paume from 20 October 2026 to 10 January 2027. [Read more]
Louvre Photo, when the museum inspires photographers: an original exhibition at the Louvre Museum
The Louvre Museum presents an unconventional exhibition and staging itself through photography, in a special route to be seen from November 4, 2026 to May 3, 2027. [Read more]
A free, immersive exhibit explores the 1867 Universal Exhibition and the evolution of photography in Paris
Dive into the heart of the 1867 World's Fair through the lens of photography, from November 25, 2026, to February 22, 2027. Experience this engaging and free exhibit at the National Archives, offering an immersive journey into this historic event. [Read more]
A wonderful visit to all art and photography lovers!
