If you're a fan ofcontemporary art, then you're probably constantly on the lookout for great exhibitions, whether in museums or art galleries, to (re)discover the works oftalented artists past and present. From renowned talents to rising stars and little-known artists, here's a selection of hot exhibitions to quench your thirst for culture.
Between group exhibitions, cartes blanches, retrospectives and fairs, you'll find in this guide the exhibitions of the moment, but also those to come, so that you can make a note of the dates in your diaries. All these cultural events are waiting for you, and some of them are even an opportunity to acquire a work of art for your home!
Please note that this guide is updated regularly as we make new discoveries and announcements, so be sure to keep this page handy so you don't miss out on any of the great contemporary art exhibitions to come in Paris and the Île-de-France region!
So, are you ready? Let's get ready for the contemporary art exhibitions awaiting you in the capital!
Pop Art Car: Renault®’s New Free Exhibition on the Champs-Élysées
Sponsored - From March 4 to June 9, 2026, the Renault® display on the Champs-Élysées will host Pop Art Car, a free exhibition blending Pop Art, Street Art, and automobiles. Expect stunning show-cars, exclusive artworks, and live performances right in the heart of Paris. As part of this major cultural and artistic event, the car transforms into a pop motif, an object of interpretation, and a source of inspiration. [Read more]
The Underground Extatiques: an introspective artistic journey beneath the Grand Arche of La Défense
Venture into the hidden tunnels beneath Paris's La Défense, usually closed to the public, to encounter the Extatiques, a meditative art experience running from April 3 to 26, 2026. [Read more]
Lafayette Anticipations in Paris: our photos from the Diego Marcon and Ladji Diaby exhibitions.
In Paris, Lafayette Anticipations presents from April 1 to July 19, 2026 two contemporary art exhibitions dedicated to Diego Marcon and Ladji Diaby. The foundation brings together two distinct artistic approaches, spanning a cinematic universe, emerging creation, image-making, visual narration, and the expression of emotions. [Read more]
Inkarna at Maubuisson Abbey: Yosra Mojtahedi's Exhibition in Saint-Ouen-l’Aumône
The Maubuisson Abbey in Saint-Ouen-l’Aumône, Val-d'Oise, is hosting "Inkarna: The Transformations of the Sacred," a contemporary art exhibition by Yosra Mojtahedi, featuring works by Elsa Guillaume and Magdalena Abakanowicz, from April 12 to August 30, 2026. This immersive journey explores themes of the sacred, the human body, materiality, and the evolution of life itself, all set within a historic site dedicated to contemporary creation. [Read more]
Nan Goldin at the Grand Palais: A Landmark Exhibition Celebrating Photography and Film
The Grand Palais hosts This Will Not End Well, the first-ever French retrospective dedicated to Nan Goldin, running from March 18 to June 21, 2026. This immersive exhibition showcases her iconic slideshows, blending photography and cinema, in a curated environment designed to resemble a village of images. [Read more]
Goldshteyn-Saatort Gallery in Paris: A Collective Exhibition Celebrating Japan – Our Photos
One Day in Japan, the collective exhibition at the Goldshteyn-Saatort Gallery in Paris, runs from March 14 to April 14, 2026. This showcase brings together Japanese and international artists, presenting exclusive works created specifically for the occasion. [Read more]
Ariana Papademetropoulos debuts her new piece "Glass Slipper" at Thaddaeus Ropac Gallery in the Marais
This spring, Thaddaeus Ropac Gallery in the Marais district is featuring "Glass Slipper," the first solo exhibition by Ariana Papademetropoulos in France. To mark the occasion, the California-based artist is showcasing several large-scale paintings, a selection of sculptures, and an immersive installation that places visitors right inside an aquarium teeming with fish! [Read more]
Exhibition: ROSSEN MARKOVSKI - The Fish Story at the Bulgarian Cultural Center
Sponsored - Through 25 paintings, the contemporary Bulgarian artist offers an intimate and heartfelt perspective on art. The exhibition runs from March 26 to May 22 at the Bulgarian Cultural Institute. [Read more]
ABC Dictionary: Exploring the Arctic Through Inuit Art — The Contemporary Exhibition at Art Inuit Gallery
Inuit artists share their lives and culture from the Arctic through an artistic alphabet, available for free at the Art Inuit Gallery from March 26 to August 31, 2026. [Read more]
In my dress, the hue of time: a captivating exhibition at the Les Filles du Calvaire gallery
The artist Julia Haumont delves into the end of childhood and the transformations of the body in a sculpture exhibition running from March 12 to April 25, 2026, at the Les Filles du Calvaire Gallery. [Read more]
Chiaroscuro: the Exhibition Exploring Shadow and Light at the Bourse de Commerce - Our Photos
On the occasion of its latest exhibition titled "Chiaroscuro," the Bourse de Commerce transforms into a landscape that is both luminous and dusk-like. Until August 24, 2026, visitors can explore around a hundred works from the Pinault Collection, featuring pieces by Pierre Huyghe, Victor Man, Bill Viola, Laura Lamiel, Jean Dubuffet, Alberto Giacometti, Germaine Richier, as well as Yves Tanguy and Wolfgang Tillmans. [Read more]
SHEROES.1: A Bold Collective Exhibition at L’Aiguillage in Paris
Sponsored - The L’Aiguillage cultural center is hosting SHEROES.1, a multimedia group exhibition spotlighting overlooked women figures. The exhibition runs from March 28 to April 24, 2026, in celebration of International Women’s Rights Day. [Read more]
This Paris exhibit turns coffins into art pieces at the Nothing Serious gallery
The Nothing Serious gallery is inviting you to explore a truly unique exhibition featuring unusual coffins and funerary urns, titled From Paa Joe to Paaris, running from February 27 to May 24, 2026. [Read more]
Plaza Athénée: Michel Bassompierre's menagerie brings the artist’s work to the hotel — check out our photos from the exhibition
The Plaza Athénée unveils Michel Bassompierre's wildlife series with a free-to-visit sculpture exhibition. From gorillas and bears to horses, this captivating menagerie invites visitors to immerse themselves in the world of wildlife right at the heart of the iconic avenue Montaigne palace, ongoing until April 16, 2026. [Read more]
The Dream Argument: A Surreal Exhibition at the Pernod Ricard Foundation in Paris
In Paris, the Pernod Ricard Foundation is showcasing the contemporary art exhibition "L’Argument du rêve," which delves into the world of dreams as a space for creativity and reflection. Featuring works by Amie Barouh, Chloé Quenum, and philosopher Mohamed Amer Meziane, the exhibition runs from February 17 to April 18, 2026. [Read more]
Anima Mundi: a free exhibit immerses visitors in a fantastical world at Ladoucette Castle
Artist Astrid de Geuser invites us into her Cabinet of Curiosities with her exhibition Anima Mundi, open to the public free of charge from February 21 to April 26, 2026, at Château de Ladoucette in Drancy. [Read more]
Spring Drawing Festival 2026 at the Arc de Triomphe: A Blooming Exhibition
The Arc de Triomphe is taking part in the 2026 edition of Printemps du Dessin by hosting a unique exhibition, open to visitors from March 21 to April 19, 2026. [Read more]
All Parts Of Us: Susanna Inglada Exhibits at Drawing Lab in Paris
The Drawing Lab in Paris is hosting the exhibition All Parts Of Us by Susanna Inglada, the recipient of the 2025 Drawing Now Award, from February 13 to May 10, 2026. Through a compelling blend of drawings, installations, and videos, the artist delves into the tensions shaping our modern world, examining the collective gaze and power dynamics at play. [Read more]
Dalí x Rubinstein, Illusions croisées: an original dialogue in the heart of Montmartre
Sponsored - Located in Montmartre, the mecca of Parisian artistic creation, Dalí Paris has been home to the largest private collection dedicated to Salvador Dalí for over thirty years. More than 300 works, brought together by collector and gallery owner Beniamino Levi, reveal the rich universe of the master of surrealism. Sculptures, engravings, oil paintings, drawings, and watercolors testify to the richness of his inspirations, from science to alchemy, through Antiquity, the Renaissance, and religion. [Read more]
In these halls: contemporary photographer Jo Ractliffe showcases her work at the Jeu de Paume, revealing powerful images.
The Jeu de Paume is hosting an exhibition showcasing the work of photographer Jo Ractliffe. Discover the striking images of "En ces lieux" from January 30 to May 24, 2026. [Read more]
Open Shapes: Free Exhibition Showcasing Geometric Abstract Art at the Swedish Institute
Geometric abstract art takes center stage at the Swedish Institute from February 20 to July 19, 2026. Over five months, visitors are invited to explore free of charge "Formes ouvertes", an installation that bridges the works of Olle Bærtling—an essential figure in abstract art—with those of seven talented international artists. [Read more]
100% THE 2026 EXPO: Dates and Schedule for the Free Contemporary Exhibition at La Villette
100% EXPO is a free, must-see artistic festival taking over the Grande Halle of La Villette from April 8 to 26, 2026. Showcasing a diverse lineup of emerging young artists just out of school, this exhibition offers a unique glimpse into the future of art. [Read more]
Erwin Wurm. Tomorrow Yes: Free Exhibition at Thaddaeus Ropac Gallery in Pantin (93) — Photos
Art takes wild shapes in Pantin! From January 17 to April 11, 2026, Erwin Wurm's "Tomorrow: Yes" transforms the Thaddaeus Ropac gallery into a space where new works and intriguing installations challenge visitors’ perceptions. Playing with form, space, and the human body, the exhibition offers a captivating journey into the artist's imaginative universe. [Read more]
Me and Others: An Exhibition Exploring Our Digital Lives at the EDF Foundation
Contemporary artists are delving into our digital lives and identities through the exhibition Me and Others, showcased free of charge at the EDF Foundation from March 13 to September 27, 2026. [Read more]
Brion Gysin, the Last Museum: A Retrospective Exhibition at the Musée d'Art Moderne in Paris
The City of Paris's Museum of Modern Art is hosting the first-ever retrospective exhibition of artist Brion Gysin. Open to the public from April 10 to July 12, 2026. [Read more]
Joseph Grigely at the Palais de Tokyo: An Exhibition Exploring Accessibility in Cultural Spaces
The deaf artist Joseph Grigely takes over a difficult-to-access space at the Palais de Tokyo in Paris with his exhibition "Nous en sommes là – This is where we are". This thought-provoking show explores architectural accessibility within cultural institutions through a combination of visual works and a risograph publication. Running from April 3 to September 13, 2026, it challenges visitors to reconsider how our environments are designed and experienced. [Read more]
Cheryl Marie Wade at the Palais de Tokyo: An immersive experience into crip culture and activist poetry
The Palais de Tokyo is hosting a groundbreaking group exhibition centered on the poetry of Cheryl Marie Wade, a prominent figure in Berkeley’s crip art scene, from April 3 to September 13, 2026. Featuring archival footage, performances, and installations, the show aims to breathe new life into a marginalized artistic voice that bridges poetry, activism, and the remembrance of disability. [Read more]
Pauline Curnier Jardin at Palais de Tokyo: An Exhibition Exploring Myths and Social Norms
The Palais de Tokyo in Paris is showcasing a comprehensive solo exhibition dedicated to Pauline Curnier Jardin, a French artist known for her immersive works that delve into rituals, gender, and body representations through installations, films, and performances. Running from April 3 to September 13, 2026, this expansive exhibition is conceived as a fragmented, sensory journey. It features both key works and new commissions, created in collaboration with the Museo Reina Sofía in Madrid. [Read more]
Cathy de Monchaux at the Palais de Tokyo: a groundbreaking, thought-provoking retrospective in Paris
The Palais de Tokyo in Paris is hosting France’s first retrospective of British artist Cathy de Monchaux, running from April 3 to September 13, 2026. Showcasing nearly fifty works, the exhibition spans four decades of her creative journey, exploring themes of the human body, materials, and emotive storytelling. [Read more]
Benoît Piéron at the Palais de Tokyo: an exhibition exploring themes of care, vulnerability, and imagination
The Palais de Tokyo in Paris is hosting a retrospective dedicated to contemporary artist Benoît Piéron, focusing on sculptures and installations inspired by the hospital environment. Running from April 3 to September 13, 2026, the exhibition delves into themes of care, waiting, and fragility through works that blend medical aesthetics, sensory experiences, and reflections on vulnerability as a universal condition. [Read more]
Jesse Darling at the Palais de Tokyo: an immersive exhibition blending ruins with forgotten stories
The Palais de Tokyo in Paris is hosting an immersive exhibition by British artist Jesse Darling, the winner of the 2023 Turner Prize. The show is open from April 3rd to September 13th, 2026. Through monumental installations crafted from discarded materials and everyday objects, the artist explores the fragile foundations of the structures that shape our lives. [Read more]
Annette Messager at the Museum of Hunting and Nature: An Exhibition Exploring the Relationship Between Animals and Humans
The Museum of Hunting and Nature in Paris is presenting a groundbreaking exhibition by artist Annette Messager, focused on animal imagery and its artistic reimagining. Running from April 14 to September 20, 2026, the show is titled "A Swallow Doesn't Make Spring." It features a mix of installations, hybrid artworks, and iconic pieces that engage in a compelling dialogue with the museum's existing collections. [Read more]
Henry Taylor at the Picasso Museum Paris: A Contemporary American Painting Exhibition
The Picasso Museum in Paris is hosting an exhibition dedicated to Henry Taylor, the acclaimed American contemporary painter, featuring a collection of portraits and works that explore collective memory and references to Picasso. Running from April 8th to September 6th, 2026, the exhibition is carefully curated in collaboration with the artist himself and is accessible to visitors at the Parisian museum. [Read more]
FOREVER: The Free Exhibition Curated by Maurizio Cattelan at Galeries Lafayette
FOR ETERNITY, outside the walls of the exhibition Sunday Without End, brings contemporary art from the Centre Pompidou-Metz into the heart of Galeries Lafayette Haussmann. Conceived by Maurizio Cattelan and Chiara Parisi, this innovative route features sculptures, photographs, and sound installations spread across the dome, the staircases, and the terrace, turning the flagship department store into a vibrant, living gallery. From March 10 to April 27, 2026, visitors are invited to explore freely a collection of significant works by Gloria Friedmann, Birgit Jürgenssen, Christodoulos Panayiotou, and Lawrence Weiner. [Read more]
All About Love: Mickalene Thomas's Bold and Vibrant Exhibition at the Grand Palais - Photos
The Grand Palais is showcasing the work of African American artist Mickalene Thomas from December 17, 2025, to April 5, 2026. Experience a bold, contemporary voice with the exhibition All About Love. [Read more]
Beyond Our Horizons: From Tokyo to Paris, the New Free Exhibition at the 19M Gallery
Beyond Our Horizons lands in Paris: from January 29 to April 26, 2026, the Galerie du 19M showcases French artisans alongside Japanese creators, weaving their stories together. After captivating 75,000 visitors in Tokyo, this exhibition offers a journey where tradition and innovation intersect in every detail. Embroideries, molds, feathers, and metals become bridges connecting different cultures and craftsmanship. [Read more]
Colors of Korea: free contemporary art exhibition at the Korean Cultural Center in Paris, photos
The Korean Cultural Center unveils the exhibition "Couleurs de Corée, Lumière sur l'art contemporain coréen", on the occasion of the 140th anniversary of diplomatic relations between France and Korea, from October 24, 2025 to August 29, 2026. This free exhibition presents a unique immersion in Korean art, illustrating the work of 34 artists who blend tradition and innovation through the power of color. [Read more]
General Exhibition: the Fondation Cartier recounts 40 years of exhibitions for its reopening
The Fondation Cartier pour l'art contemporain is reopening its doors in a new location in the heart of Paris with a new exhibition: from October 25, 2025, to August 23, 2026, discover the General Exhibition. [Read more]
Voir la mer: a free contemporary exhibition at the Maif Social Club - photos
Contemporary artists draw inspiration from the oceans to create original works, sometimes amusing, sometimes disturbing... Come and discover the Voir la mer exhibition, presented at the Maif Social Club from October 11, 2025 to July 25, 2026. [Read more]
L'Étoffe des Rêves, the exhibition at Halle Saint-Pierre
From September 12, 2025 to July 31, 2026, La Halle Saint Pierre presents "L'étoffe des rêves", a groundbreaking exhibition featuring 36 artists and over 300 textile works ranging from art brut to surrealism and poetic experimentation. [Read more]
Benin, back and forth: the exhibition at the Musée Albert-Kahn
The Musée départemental Albert-Kahn, Boulogne-Billancourt, invites you to discover the exhibition "Bénin, aller-retour", from October 14, 2025 to June 14, 2026. An immersive dive into the heart of historic Dahomey, featuring rare photographs, ethnographic films and the work of contemporary artists. [Read more]
The Hangar Y's contemporary open-air exhibition is back! An artistic stroll in the green
The Hangar Y, which conceals a 10-hectare natural area planted with trees, offers a year-round open-air art walk, free on weekdays and €3 with access to the Hangar on weekends. Since April 28, 2025, new works have been added to the circuit. From Erwin Wurm and Lionel Sabatte to Pauline Tralongo and Odile Decq, it's time for an unusual, unplugged stroll through the heart of the Hauts-de-Seine. [Read more]
The Cherqui Foundation: the kinetic art museum just outside Paris!
Sponsored - Do you like optical and kinetic art? Head for the Fondation Cherqui, a few kilometers from Paris. This art gallery, similar in size to a museum, houses a collection of over 5,000 works by Jean Cherqui. Book your visit now! [Read more]
The Musée de la Sculpture en plein air: a free art walk in the heart of Paris
Have you heard of the Musée de la Sculpture en plein air? Located in the Square Tino Rossi in the 5th arrondissement, this small museum offers a free cultural stroll along the banks of the Seine, in a magnificent bucolic setting. [Read more]
Breath of Iron: the collective exhibition that breathes new life into the Bastille Design Center
Sponsored - From April 17 to 19, 2026, the Bastille Design Center in Paris will host Souffle de Fer, a contemporary art exhibition conceived by Anna Sokolov. An immersive journey through industrial heritage, creation, light and matter, with free admission. [Read more]
Silent Storytellers: Female Sculptors Share Their Journeys in a New Exhibition at Espace Monte-Cristo
The Monte-Cristo Space will host several female sculptors from April 18 to December 13, 2026, offering free access to the exhibition titled "Speakers of Silence." [Read more]
Hilma af Klint at the Grand Palais: a groundbreaking exhibition celebrating the pioneer of abstract art
The Grand Palais is hosting a groundbreaking exhibition dedicated to Hilma af Klint, the visionary Swedish artist, in partnership with the Centre Pompidou, from May 6 to August 30, 2026. This exhibit offers France’s first opportunity to experience her mystical and pioneering works firsthand — pieces that have long remained in the shadows of art history. [Read more]
Leandro Erlich: The Grand Palais hosts a retrospective celebrating the work of the Argentine artist
This summer, the Grand Palais is showcasing a retrospective dedicated to Leandro Erlich! From June 2 to September 6, 2026, visitors can explore the world of this Argentine artist, renowned for his installations that challenge our perceptions and distort our sense of space in public environments. [Read more]
Fujiko Nakaya: Her Fog Sculpture Unveiled This Summer at the Bourse de Commerce
This summer, the Rotonde at the Bourse de Commerce in Paris will host one of the renowned fog sculptures by Japanese artist Fujiko Nakaya. From June 4 to September 20, 2026, visitors can experience this captivating installation, where a thick white cloud of water vapor will appear and vanish, enveloping and revealing guests in an enchanting mist. [Read more]
We, star shivers: a multisensory exhibition this summer at the Grand Palais
The artist Laure Prouvost blends art and science in an installation that heightens our senses. Discover the exhibition We, Star Shivers, running from June 10 to July 26, 2026. [Read more]
I saw: Jenny Holzer’s luminous exhibition that makes words come alive at the Orsay Museum this fall
Words Take Over the Orsay Museum, Transforming the Space into a Luminous Stage. From October 20, 2026, to February 21, 2027, the exhibition "I Have Seen" by Jenny Holzer invites visitors to explore a dialogue between letters, political texts, and literary writings alongside the museum's iconic collections. Through projections, LED installations, and engravings, the exhibit immerses visitors in a captivating experience where past and present resonate anew, offering a fresh perspective. [Read more]
