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 exhibiting the works of Prince Qatar. As of November 18, 2021, come and discover the first temporary exhibition entitled "Treasures from the Al Thani Collection". [Read more]
The Château de Fontainebleau, Napoleon III and Eugenie in a Second Empire tour
The Château de Fontainebleau commemorates the 150th anniversary of the death of Napoleon III through a discovery tour of the Second Empire period. It's a time to make new discoveries, notably through an exhibition of period costumes. [Read more]
Notre-Dame de Paris at the heart of the construction site, the free exhibition under the forecourt in photos
The Notre-Dame de Paris: au coeur du chantier exhibition, which takes place beneath the cathedral's forecourt, is now unveiled. From March 7, 2023, until the monument reopens, discover the work of the hundreds of men and women who are rebuilding the cathedral. It's an opportunity to immerse yourself in the highlights of the titanic construction site, to discover the work of the journeymen and craftsmen, and the challenges of reconstruction. [Read more]
Soldats sportifs: the photo exhibition on sport in the army at the Musée de la Grande Guerre
For almost a year, the Musée de la Grande Guerre (Great War Museum) will be showcasing sporting practices in the army, with an exceptional free photographic exhibition on the forecourt. [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]
Robert Doisneau, l'esprit de résistance: the extended exhibition at the Musée de la Résistance Nationale
The Musée de la Résistance nationale lifts the veil on a little-known period in Robert Doisneau's life, in an exhibition to be discovered from October 15, 2023 to October 13, 2024. [Read more]
Rambouillet 1950, in the intimacy of the President, the exhibition is extended from the Château de Rambouillet.
(Re)discover the Château de Rambouillet as it was in the 1950s, under the aegis of President Vincent Auriol. The exhibition runs from December 10, 2023 to September 30, 2024. [Read more]
In the Seine: an exhibition at the Crypte archéologique reveals the objects found in the Seine
The Archeological Crypt presents an exhibition that's as curious as it is entertaining, revealing objects found in the Seine, from prehistory to the present day. Visit this unique exhibition from January 31, 2024, until the end of the year. [Read more]
Egypt of the Pharaohs: the Atelier des Lumières immersive exhibition unveiled in images
A fabulous journey awaits us this year at the Atelier des Lumières: from February 9, 2024 to January 5, 2025, discover the Egypt of the Pharaohs, from Cheops to Ramses II. [Read more]
Viking heroes: a free exhibition combining history and culture at the Val d'Oise archaeological museum
The Musée d'archéologique du Val d'Oise introduces us to the world of the Vikings, between history and imaginary clichés, with the Viking Heroes exhibition on view from February 10 to December 29, 2024. [Read more]
Missak Manouchian exhibition at the Panthéon
The Panthéon is hosting an exhibition entitled "Vivre à en mourir. Missak Manouchian et ses camarades de Résistance au Panthéon" (Living to Die. Missak Manouchian and his Comrades in the Resistance at the Pantheon), on view at no extra charge until September 8, 2024. [Read more]
Baghdad exhibition with Assassin's Creed Mirage at the Institut du Monde Arabe - our photos
When video games allow us to explore the past... The Institut du Monde Arabe and Ubisoft join forces for an exceptional exhibition: February 28 to November 10, 2024, discover Baghdad: rediscover Madinat al-Salam, with Assassin's Creed Mirage. [Read more]
1974 - Simone Veil's speech: a free exhibition at the National Archives
The National Archives are organizing an exhibition based on Simone Veil's speech on the abortion law. This free exhibition runs from March 8 to September 2, 2024. [Read more]
Wonderful Treasure of Oignies: discover one of Belgium's 7 wonders at the Musée de Cluny
An exceptional historical treasure, presented for the first time in France for a century: don't miss the Merveilleux Trésor d'Oignies exhibition at the Musée de Cluny, on view from March 19 to October 20, 2024. [Read more]
Il était une fois les stades, the sports exhibition at the Cité de l'architecture et du patrimoine
What better city than Paris for an exhibition on stadiums? Stade de France, Parc des Princes, Jean Bouin... so many sports venues that host matches throughout the year, deconstructed in length and breadth at the Cité de l'architecture et du patrimoine, from March 20, 2024. [Read more]
From studio to landscape: the Impressionist exhibition at the Musée Daubigny in Auvers-sur-Oise
The Musée Daubigny traces the history and inspirations of Impressionism through an exhibition that immerses us in the landscapes of Val-d'Oise, a department that welcomed many artists of the period, until September 22, 2024. [Read more]
Is Paris burning? our photos from the film exhibition at the Musée de la Libération de Paris
The Musée de la Libération de Paris - Musée du Général Leclerc - Musée Jean Moulin invites you to discover its latest exhibition, entitled "Paris brûle-t-il? When cinema reinvents the Liberation", on view from March 27 to September 22, 2024. The exhibition takes a detailed look at the film's creative process and the questions it raises, just 20 years after the end of the war. [Read more]
Olympic Games, mirror of society: free exhibition at the Shoah Memorial - our photos
The Paris 2024 Olympic Games are just around the corner, and many museums are creating exhibitions on the subject, depending on their theme! The Paris branch of the Shoah Memorial is evoking the values and prejudices around sport, in a free exhibition, from March 29, 2024. [Read more]
Luxe de Poche: our photos of the very, very chic exhibition at the Musée Cognacq-Jay
Immerse yourself in 18th-century elegance with the Luxe de Poche exhibition, to be enjoyed without moderation at the Musée Cognacq-Jay! From March 29 to September 29, 2024, discover a unique collection of boxes, snuffboxes and other luxury objects that shaped the sociability rituals of the elite. Admire the work of legendary goldsmiths and let yourself be transported by the beauty and ingenuity of these art treasures! [Read more]
Mexica, gifts and gods at Templo Major: the Musée du Quai Branly exhibition unveiled
Discover the mighty Mexica empire and its mysterious culture, revealed in a new exhibition at the Musée du Quai Branly, from April 3 to October 6, 2024. [Read more]
Combattre loin de chez soi exhibition - The French colonial empire in the Great War
Follow in the footsteps of the 600,000 men from Black Africa, the West Indies, Oceania, Asia and North Africa who came to fight far from home on the various fronts of the war in Europe in a major exhibition at the Musée de la Grande Guerre. From April 4 to December 30, 2024. [Read more]
Présences arabes exhibition at the Musée d'Art Moderne de Paris unveiled, photos
We take you on a tour of the exhibition "Présences arabes. Art moderne et décolonisation, Paris 1908-1988", a unique collection of over 200 works, most of which have never before been shown in France. The exhibition runs from April 5 to August 25, 2024 at the Musée d'Art Moderne de Paris (MAM). [Read more]
The birth of department stores, a double exhibition at the heart of these mythical Parisian landmarks
The Musée des Arts Décoratifs and the Cité de l'Architecture take us to the heart of the legendary addresses of Parisian art de vivre with "The Birth of Department Stores", a two-part exhibition. Visit the MAD from April 10 to October 13, 2024, then from October 16, 2024 to March 16, 2025, to discover the history of these temples to fashion right up to the present day. [Read more]
The Fountain of the Innocents: the Musée Carnavalet's historical and artistic exhibition - photos
The Musée Carnavalet is devoting an exhibition to the history of the Fountain of the Innocents and its creator, on view from April 24 to August 25, 2024. [Read more]
Olympism, a modern invention: the exhibition between art and sport at the Musée du Louvre, our photos
The Musée du Louvre is gearing up for the Olympic Games, with a brand-new, sporting exhibition. From April 24 to September 16, 2024, discover "Olympism, a modern invention, an ancient heritage". [Read more]
Duels, the exhibition that plunges us into the art of combat at the Musée de l'Armée - our photos
The Musée de l'Armée tells us about the art of combat and fencing in the exhibition "Duels, l'art du combat", on view from April 24 to August 18, 2024. [Read more]
Olympism, a world history: the Olympiad exhibition at the Palais de la Porte Dorée
Since 1896, 33 Olympiads have been held around the world. To mark the Paris 2024 Games, the Palais de la Porte Dorée is retracing their history and behind-the-scenes in a retrospective exhibition, from April 26 to September 8, 2024. [Read more]
140 years of creative minds in Saint-Germain-des-Prés: Les Deux Magots celebrates its anniversary
Parisian brasserie Les Deux Magots celebrates its 140th anniversary with a free photo exhibition tracing its rich history. On view from April 30 to September 22, 2024. [Read more]
Victor Hugo s'escrime: the exhibition at the Maison de Victor Hugo takes us to the heart of the fight
With sword or pen, Victor Hugo fought many battles. Discover them in the Victor Hugo s'escrime exhibition, presented from April 30 to September 15, 2024 in the writer's house, Place des Vosges, Paris. [Read more]
Monuments Men, the exhibition at Château de la Roche Guyon that pays tribute to art officers
We're off to the Château de La Roche-Guyon to discover the "Monuments Men" exhibition, which runs from May 18 to November 24, 2024. The exhibition pays tribute to the "art officers" of the Second World War, who worked to protect, safeguard and restore Europe's cultural heritage. As part of the celebrations marking the 80th anniversary of the Liberation, this exhibition offers a fascinating journey through history and art in a place steeped in memory. [Read more]
À nous les stades! A history of women's sport: the free exhibition at BnF
Sport isn't just a man's game, and the BnF François-Mitterand intends to remind us of this in a free exhibition on women's sport, from May 22 to October 13, 2024! [Read more]
"Paris!" the free immersive exhibition celebrating the capital at Hôtel de Ville
Paris reveals all its facets at an exceptional exhibition at the Hôtel de Ville? From May 25 to November 16, 2024, discover Paris City Hall's event exhibition for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games: "Paris! the capital presents itself to the world! Come and (re)discover Paris, its wealth, its culture, its events, its tragedies and everything that makes up its identity. [Read more]
Comic strip exhibition at the Centre Pompidou: Comics on every floor
Comics exhibition in Paris: From May 29 to November 4, 2024, discover "La BD à tous les étages" at the Centre Pompidou. An event dedicated to the 9th art, giving you a rendezvous with Hergé, Corto Maltese, and much more, across every level of this iconic cultural institution. [Read more]
Saint-Exupéry, fragments of history: the exhibition on the pilot at the Musée de l'air et de l'espace
While Antoine de Saint-Exupéry is best known for writing "Le Petit Prince", he was also a famous pilot, whom the Musée de l'air et de l'espace will be honoring on the occasion of the 80th anniversary of his death at sea, from May 29, 2024. [Read more]
Rive droite/Rive gauche: the free photo exhibition around the Seine at Quai de la Photo
The love of Parisians for the quays of the Seine is nothing new: the proof in pictures with the photo exhibition presented at Quai de la Photo, to be discovered from June 5 to September 8, 2024. [Read more]
Les chevaux du roi, the exhibition on equestrian art at the Domaine royal de Marly (78)
From June 7 to November 3, 2024, the Domaine royal de Marly, in the Yvelines region of France, is devoting its new exhibition to the place of the horse in the history of this residence, from Louis XIV to the Revolution. [Read more]
Histoires paralympiques: a tribute exhibition at the Panthéon this summer
The Pantheon tells us the Paralympic Stories, from sporting integration to social inclusion, in an exhibition organized from June 11 to September 29, 2024. [Read more]
Resistantes! France, 1940-1944: the historical exhibition at the Musée de l'Ordre de la Libération
The Musée de l'Ordre de la Libération opens its doors to you this summer for a historical exhibition on the role of women in the Resistance, to honor their commitment during the war, from June 13 to October 13, 2024. [Read more]
Championnes: the photo exhibition exploring women's sport unveiled at Galerie Roger-Viollet
Come and admire the female sporting champions of the inter-war years by discovering the free photo exhibition organized by the Roger-Viollet gallery and L'Equipe, from June 13 to September 14, 2024. [Read more]
The free exhibition "Bijoux de scène de la Comédie Française" extended at Hôtel Mercy-Argenteau
The Hôtel de Mercy-Argenteau, a magnificent 18th-century town house on the Grands Boulevards in the 9th arrondissement of Paris, opens its doors to visitors for the first time. Listed as a Monument Historique, this architectural gem has been given a facelift to house the École des Arts Joailliers, a school founded with the support of Van Cleef & Arpels. From June 13 to October 13, 2024, the first free exhibition of the Comédie-Française's "Stage Jewels" is on show. We take you on a journey of discovery. Don't forget to book your free tickets! [Read more]
Cultures en Jeux, a photo exhibition on the opening ceremonies of the Olympic Games at Unesco
From June 24 to September 15, 2024, Unesco is exhibiting photographic archives of Olympic Games opening and closing ceremonies over the decades, outdoors. [Read more]
Masterpieces from the Torlonia Collection: a magnificent sculpture exhibition at the Musée du Louvre
Come and admire the treasures of ancient Rome, with a visit to the "Masterpieces from the Torlonia Collection" exhibition, at the Musée du Louvre, from June 26 to November 11, 2024. [Read more]
Cheval en majesté, at the heart of a civilization: the exhibition at the Château de Versailles
The Château de Versailles plunges us into the world of the horse, with an exhibition event organized from July 2 to November 3, 2024. Come and discover "Cheval en majesté, au cœur d'une civilisation". [Read more]
Renaissance treasures: the summer art exhibition at the Hôtel de la Marine
The Hôtel de la Marine pays tribute to the creativity and finesse of Renaissance art, with an exhibition on view from July 15 to August 25, 2024. [Read more]
China's sporting culture: a free exhibition at the Bastille Design Center
During the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, the collections of the Chinese Sports Museum are moving to the Bastille Design Center, in order to present never-before-seen exhibits and the sports practiced in ancient China to as many people as possible! [Read more]
Surrealism: the exceptional exhibition celebrating 100 years of the movement at the Centre Pompidou
A very special anniversary is being celebrated at the Centre Pompidou, from September 4, 2024 to January 13, 2025: a major exhibition paying tribute to Surrealism. [Read more]
Masterpieces from the Galleria Borghese, the Italian exhibition at the Musée Jacquemart-André
The Musée Jacquemart-André reopens its doors in September 2024: to mark the occasion, the museum is showing Masterpieces from the Galerie Borghèse from September 6, 2024 to January 30, 2025. [Read more]
Silex and the City: the prehistory comic book exhibition at the Musée de l'Homme
Comic artist Jul brings his humorous world to the Musée de l'Homme: from September 11 to December 29, 2024, discover the Silex and the City exhibition. [Read more]
Ming gold, the splendor and beauty of imperial China: the dazzling exhibition at the Musée Guimet
Immerse yourself in the sumptuous world of imperial China, with the Ming Gold exhibition, on view at the Musée Guimet from September 18, 2024 to January 13, 2025. [Read more]
Zombies: death is not the end? The Frontiers of Life exhibition at the Musée du Quai Branly
The Musée du Quai Branly plunges us into the mysteries of life and death, with the exhibition Zombis: la mort n'est pas une fin? on view from October 8, 2024 to February 16, 2025. [Read more]
The Atomic Age: the explosive exhibition at the Musée d'Art Moderne de Paris
What has the nuclear bomb inspired in contemporary artists? This is what the Musée d'Art Moderne in Paris is inviting us to discover, in an exhibition that promises to be explosive, from October 11, 2024 to February 9, 2025. [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. [Read more]
Figures du fou, entre Moyen-Âge et Renaissance: l'exposition loufoque du musée du Louvre
Are you crazy? Yes, we are! Everyone's crazy in the Louvre Museum's new exhibition, on view from October 16, 2024 to February 3, 2025. [Read more]
Paris 1793-1794, a revolutionary year: the historical exhibition at the Musée Carnavalet
If the French Revolution is an event well known to all, 1793-1794 marks an important year in our history. The Musée Carnavalet explores this date in an exhibition running from October 16, 2024 to February 16, 2025. [Read more]
Exhibition on the Grands Magasins Parisiens at the Cité de l'Architecture et du Patrimoine
At the Cité de l'Architecture et du Patrimoine, a fantastic exhibition on the fascinating history of Parisian department stores is taking shape. From October 16, 2024 to March 16, 2025, you can learn more about their architecture and evolution since the Second Empire. [Read more]
Making stones speak, the exhibition on Notre-Dame's medieval sculptures at the Musée de Cluny
To mark the reopening of Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris, the Musée du Moyen-Âge is presenting an exhibition based on its sculpted decor and the stones recovered, providing an opportunity to imagine the monument in medieval times, from November 19, 2024 to March 16, 2025. [Read more]
Enjoy your visit, folks!
