What if you could travel back in time without leaving the capital? You don't need a DeLorean or any other time machine straight out of an H.G. Wells novel to do this: the museums of Paris and its suburbs do the job very well, and many of them have great historical exhibitions to tell you all about the various eras of the past.
Whether it's thehistory of France or of other countries around the world, there's something for every taste and desire... And for all ages! Take a trip to the Musée de l'Armée, for example, to learn all about the history of wars in France and around the world. Or head to the Musée Guimet or the Musée Cernuschi, to immerse yourself in Asian history and culture. You could also opt for the Musée de la Libération de Paris, or the Musée de la Grande Guerre de Meaux, to learn more about the history of the First and Second World Wars... In short, it's the perfect place to learn all about history!
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 historical exhibitions to come in Paris and the Île-de-France region! Mark your calendars!
Treasures of the Al Thani Collection, the exhibition at Hôtel de la Marine
The Centre des Monuments nationaux and the Al Thani Collection Foundation unveil the new galleries dedicated to the exhibition of Prince Qatar's works. As of November 18, 2021, come and discover the first temporary exhibition entitled "Treasures from the Al Thani Collection". [Read more]
Grotte Chauvet, l'aventure scientifique: immerse yourself in prehistoric art with the Cité des Sciences
The Cité des Sciences takes us on a voyage of discovery of the Chauvet cave, a Paleolithic treasure trove, with a brand-new exhibition on view from October 15, 2024 to May 11, 2025. Fun, interactive and, above all, educational: come and take a behind-the-scenes look at this famous French cave! [Read more]
L'intime, de la chambre aux réseaux sociaux: the exhibition that questions our secret gardens at MAD
The Musée des Arts Décoratifs invites us into our most personal, intimate spaces, in a major exhibition presented from October 15, 2024 to March 30, 2025. Come and visit "L'intime, de la chambre aux réseaux sociaux". [Read more]
Three centuries at Isle Adam: the Musée d'Art et d'Histoire Louis Senlecq's bucolic exhibition
The Musée d'Art et d'Histoire Louis-Senlecq invites you to discover the history of L'Isle-Adam, in the Val-d'Oise, through an exhibition that takes you on a journey through time and the region's natural landscapes, from October 20, 2024 to September 21, 2025. [Read more]
La Saga des Grands Magasins, the exhibition at the Cité de l'Architecture et du Patrimoine unveiled
The Cité de l'Architecture et du Patrimoine unveils a fantastic exhibition on the fascinating history of Parisian department stores, from 1850 to the present day. From November 6, 2024 to April 6, 2025, discover their history, architecture and evolution since the Second Empire. [Read more]
Christofle: Une Brillante Histoire, the goldsmith's house's sublime exhibition at MAD Paris
The Musée des Arts Décoratifs is preparing to light up your autumn with the exhibition "Christofle: A Brilliant History", from November 14, 2024 to April 20, 2025. Discover how this legendary house has reinvented the art of goldsmithing since the 1830s, through 1,000 dazzling pieces - from cutlery to jewelry to contemporary art - deployed in a magical immersive scenography. [Read more]
Lost (marital) illusions: the exhibition on marriage at the Maison de Balzac
From November 20, 2024 to March 30, 2025, the Maison de Balzac's new exhibition explores the theme of marriage and its disillusionment in the 19th century, through the work of the writer and Balzac's contemporaries. [Read more]
Paris, capital of the pearl: the superb free jewelry exhibition at the Hôtel de Mercy-Argenteau
From the origins of the pearl to its use in jewelry, L'École des Arts Joailliers' new free exhibition tells the story of this pearly splendor in the heart of the Hôtel de Mercy-Argenteau, from November 21, 2024 to June 1, 2025. [Read more]
Bijoux de scène de l'Opéra de Paris: an exhibition of marvellous jewellery at the Palais Garnier
The Opéra national de Paris raises the curtain on a dazzling exhibition! From November 28 to March 28, 2025, the Bibliothèque-musée du Palais Garnier will be exhibiting the stage jewels that illuminate its shows. Between pomp and trompe l'œil, these sparkling jewels reveal their secrets and transport visitors to the heart of the history and magic of stagecraft. The exhibition is available as part of a visit to the Palais Garnier. [Read more]
Magic! Our photos of the Musée de la Carte à Jouer's playful exhibition of magic tricks.
With a flick of the wand, the Musée de la Carte à Jouer plunges us into the world of 19th-century magic, with its "Magique!" exhibition, on view from December 18, 2024 to August 14, 2025. We dropped in for a tour... We tell you all about it! [Read more]
1624-2024, 400 years of the Palais-Royal: the historical exhibition at the Domaine national du Palais-Royal
The Domaine du Palais-Royal celebrates its anniversary: 400 years of history are revealed in a free exhibition running until March 30, 2025. [Read more]
Cimabue: medieval Italian painting on show at the Louvre - our photos
The Musée du Louvre pays tribute to the revolutionary master of 13th-century Italian painting: Cimabue. The exhibition runs from January 22 to May 12, 2025. [Read more]
Apocalypse, yesterday and tomorrow: the end-of-the-world exhibition at BnF François-Mitterrand
Is the apocalypse just around the corner? BnF François-Mitterrand explores this age-old theme in an exhibition from February 4 to June 8, 2025, from the Bible to the present day. [Read more]
Agatha Christie, in search of archaeology: the exhibition at the Musée archéologique du Val d'Oise
Follow in the footsteps of Agatha Christie and her passion for archaeology, thanks to a new exhibition at the Musée archéologique du Val d'Oise, on view from February 8 to December 28, 2025. [Read more]
Au fil de l'or: the brilliant exhibition on gold in the art of fashion at the Musée du Quai Branly - photos
The Musée du Quai Branly takes us into a sparkling universe, where gold meets the art of textiles. Travel from the Orient to the Land of the Rising Sun with the exceptional exhibition "Au fil de l'or", on view from February 11 to July 6, 2025. [Read more]
Objets en Question: the exhibition at the Musée du Quai Branly
The Musée du Quai Branly - Jacques Chirac unveils the exhibition "Objets en Questions", to be discovered from February 11 to June 22, 2025 in the Marc Ladreit de Lacharrière gallery. The exhibition explores the crossroads between avant-garde art, archaeology and ethnology, while questioning the notion of the art object and the dialogue between disciplines. [Read more]
La Cité de l'Histoire, our test of the immersive French History experience at La Défense
Ready to plunge into the great History of France? The first Cité de l'Histoire is opening its doors in La Défense's Grande Arche, with a fun, immersive tour of our shared past. [Read more]
Degenerate Art" exhibition: the trial of modern art under Nazism at the Musée Picasso - photos
From February 18 to May 15, 2025, the Musée Picasso unveils an exhibition of so-called "degenerate" art, entitled "Degenerate Art: The Trial of Modern Art under Nazism". A fascinating, dark dive into art history, exploring the Nazi regime's persecution of the avant-garde. [Read more]
Zola photographe: our photos from the exhibition at Espace Richaud, Versailles
You know Emile Zola as a writer, but do you know Emile Zola as a photographer? The Espace Richaud in Versailles invites you to plunge into the author's photographic universe, with the "Zola photographe" exhibition, from February 19 to April 20, 2025. Through more than a hundred photographs, original prints and personal objects, discover this little-known facet of the famous writer, between artistic passion and scientific rigor. [Read more]
Suresnes, city of perfumers: the Musée d'histoire urbaine et sociale exhibition
Until June 15, 2025, the Musée d'histoire urbaine et sociale de Suresnes invites you to immerse yourself in the world of perfumery, an industry that has left its mark on the town, through an exhibition. [Read more]
Fighting exile: the Musée de l'Armée unveils artists' struggles in a new exhibition
During the Second World War, everyone fought in their own way: the Musée de l'Armée pays tribute to artists and intellectuals with the exhibition Un exil combattant, presented from February 26 to June 22, 2025. [Read more]
C'est l'histoire d'un pauvre (It's the story of a poor man): the photo exhibition on Restos du Cœur at the AFP Gallery
To mark the 40th anniversary of Restos du Cœur, Galerie AFP is staging a photo exhibition focusing on poverty, with a series of portraits from the 1980s and today, highlighting the precarious situation in France. [Read more]
Marc Riboud, Vietnam 1966-1976: the photo exhibition at the Musée Guimet
The Musée Guimet commemorates 50 years since the end of the Vietnam War with a photo exhibition. Discover Vietnam through the lens of Marc Riboud, from March 5 to May 12, 2025. [Read more]
The new History Gallery at the Château de Versailles to celebrate 400 years - photos
The History Gallery at the Château de Versailles reopens its doors to celebrate the 400th anniversary of this emblematic monument. Free of charge from September 15 to 17, 2023 for the Journées du Patrimoine (Heritage Days), then from September 21 with a ticket, discover a completely redesigned and refurbished gallery, retracing the history of the Château from its construction in 1623 by Louis XIII to the present day. More than 120 works from the Versailles collections, accompanied by a digital device, enable us to understand the creations, transformations and upheavals that have marked the Château. [Read more]
Hygiene in the Middle Ages: the historical exhibition at the Tour Jean Sans Peur
The Tour Jean Sans Peur puts an end to preconceived ideas, with its exhibition "Hygiene in the Middle Ages", presented from March 12 to December 28, 2025. [Read more]
Alfred Dreyfus. Truth and justice: the educational exhibition at the Musée d'art et d'Histoire du Judaïsme
The Musée d'art et d'Histoire du Judaïsme revisits the Dreyfus affair, with an educational and historical exhibition on view from March 13 to August 31, 2025. [Read more]
Andrea Appiani, Napoleon's first painter in Italy: the exhibition at the Château de Bois-Préau
The Châteaux de Malmaison and Bois-Préau present "Andrea Appiani, Napoleon's first painter in Italy", an exhibition of paintings on view from March 16 to July 28, 2025. [Read more]
Experiencing nature: the Louvre Museum recounts the meeting of art and science in Prague
The court of Emperor Rudolf II in Prague attracted many scientists and artists. The Musée du Louvre revisits this fertile period with the exhibition The Experience of Nature, on view from March 19 to June 30, 2025. [Read more]
Daniel Cordier: war, art, history: the Musée de la Libération's tribute exhibition
He was a member of the Resistance, an art dealer and a historian: discover the exceptional career of Daniel Cordier, in an exhibition presented by the Musée de la Libération from March 19 to July 13, 2025. [Read more]
Music and the Republic, from the Revolution to the Popular Front: the free exhibition at the National Archives
The National Archives present a new exhibition, revealing the links between music and the evolution of the Republic. On view free of charge from March 26 to July 14, 2025. [Read more]
The genocide of the Armenians of the Ottoman Empire: the historical exhibition at the Shoah Memorial
From April 1, 2025, the Shoah Memorial will be presenting a new exhibition devoted entirely to the Armenian genocide, a dark chapter in the history of the 20th century. [Read more]
Treasures rescued from Gaza: an exhibition of Palestinian masterpieces at the Arab World Institute
From April 3 to November 2, 2025, the Institut du Monde Arabe presents an exceptional collection of masterpieces saved from disaster in Gaza over the centuries. Discover the archaeological past of the Palestinian enclave! [Read more]
Banlieues Chéries: the exhibition on working-class neighborhoods at the Palais de la Porte Dorée
From April 9 to August 17, 2025, the Palais de la Porte Dorée is devoting an exhibition to working-class neighborhoods, entitled Banlieues Chéries. The exhibition explores the many facets of the French suburbs. From the end of the XIXᵉ century to the present day, immerse yourself in the history and imaginations of these territories, between pride, tensions and creativity, through a rich selection of works and documents. [Read more]
Le dernier sacre, the historical exhibition behind the scenes of a coronation at the Mobilier national
Take a behind-the-scenes look at the last French coronation, that of Charles X in 1825, at the Mobilier National exhibition, from April 11 to July 20, 2025, featuring historic pieces. [Read more]
Maisons de plaisance around Paris: the Musée du Domaine royal de Marly exhibition
From the Renaissance onwards, the elite left the city for the countryside, and the Domaine royal de Marly, which was one of these popular residences, illustrates this trend in an exhibition running from April 11 to August 31, 2025. [Read more]
Des chevaux et des hommes: the touching exhibition at the Musée de la Grande Guerre in Meaux
The Musée de la Grande Guerre in Meaux looks at the place and fate of horses in war, in an exhibition on view from April 12, 2025 to January 5, 2026. [Read more]
Royal bronzes from Angkor, an art of the divine: the statuary exhibition at the Musée Guimet
The Musée Guimet devotes its new exhibition to Khmer art and bronze, from April 30 to September 8, 2025, presenting exceptional statues from Cambodia, veritable treasures. [Read more]
An exhibition on the Mamluks at the Musée du Louvre
The Musée du Louvre is devoting an exhibition to the Mamluk Sultanate, entitled "Mamlouks, 1250-1517", from April 30 to July 28, 2025. Through 260 works from international collections, immerse yourself in the fascinating history of this medieval empire that left its mark on Near Eastern art and culture. [Read more]
The Berlin Wall, a world divided: the exhibition at the Cité de l'Architecture et du Patrimoine
A global symbol of the Cold War, the Berlin Wall divided the city in two for 28 long years. As the German capital celebrates the 35th anniversary of the fall of the wall in 2024, the Cité de l'architecture et du patrimoine in Paris presents a unique exhibition at the heart of this Berlin cut in two. "The Berlin Wall. A world divided" is on view from May 21 to September 28, 2025. [Read more]
Genius and majesty: Louis XIV by Le Bernin: the exhibition at the Château de Versailles
Discover Louis XIV through the works of Bernini, with a new exhibition at the Château de Versailles from June 3 to September 28, 2025. [Read more]
An open-air exhibition to mark the centenary of the Marché aux Puces de Biron in Saint-Ouen
At the heart of the Puces de Saint-Ouen, Marché Biron celebrates its centenary this year, and goes back in time with a free open-air exhibition, from June 6 to September 29, 2025. [Read more]
The Cleopatra Mystery: the intriguing exhibition on Egypt's most famous queen at the IMA
She is a mythical figure of ancient history: discover the secrets of Cleopatra, Queen of Egypt, with the exhibition "Le mystère Cléopâtre", presented at the Institut du Monde Arabe from June 11, 2025 to January 11, 2026. [Read more]
Masters of fire: the historical and educational exhibition at the Musée d'Archéologie Nationale
The Musée d'Archéologie Nationale takes us back to the Bronze Age, to discover the "Masters of Fire", with an educational exhibition on view from June 13, 2025 to March 6, 2026. [Read more]
An exhibition dedicated to Colette, French woman of letters, at the BnF François-Mitterand
From September 23, 2025 to January 18, 2026, the Bibliothèque nationale de France, on the François-Mitterand site, celebrates a major figure in French literature, Colette, in a never-before-seen exhibition. [Read more]
19th-century Middle Ages: an exhibition on forgeries and copies at the Musée de Cluny
A journey through facsimiles, copies and forgeries... The Musée de Cluny invites you to discover the exhibition "Le Moyen Âge du 19e siècle. Creations, copies and forgeries in the precious arts", from October 7, 2025 to January 11, 2026. A fascinating journey to the heart of medieval precious arts and their reinterpretations in the 19th century, mixing authenticity, pastiches and forgeries. [Read more]
Le Grand Dauphin, fils de roi, père de roi et jamais roi: the exhibition at the Château de Versailles
Prince Louis de France, known as Monseigneur or the Grand Dauphin, was Louis XIV's eldest son, yet he never acceded to the throne. The Château de Versailles revisits his story in an exhibition opening on October 14, 2025. [Read more]
Centenary of the 1925 Decorative Arts Exhibition: a historic return to the Musée des Arts Décoratifs
The Musée des Arts Décoratifs celebrates the centenary of the 1925 Exposition Internationale des Arts Décoratifs with the reopening of its Art Deco collections on October 21, 2025, followed by a dedicated temporary exhibition on view until March 29, 2026. A fascinating dive into the masterpieces of this iconic period in Paris. [Read more]
In the wake of Magellan: the immersive exhibition at the Musée national de la Marine
Discover the incredible epic of Magellan and his crew 500 years ago on the seas of the globe through an immersive exhibition, from October 22, 2025, in the heart of the Musée national de la Marine. [Read more]
Amerindian allies at the court of Louis XV: the historical exhibition at the Château de Versailles
Immerse yourself in the Mississippi Valley from November 25, 2025 with the Château de Versailles exhibition on the native nations who allied themselves with the French when they settled in Louisiana during the reign of the young Louis XV. [Read more]
Enjoy your visit, folks!
