They led exceptional lives, revolutionized their fields, changed history or produced masterpieces admired by generations of visitors... They deserve to be in the spotlight, at the heart of an exhibition devoted to their lives and careers.
These individuals - artists, politicians, geniuses - are honored by museums and art galleries, through an unprecedented retrospective. These exhibitions enable us to get to know these great figures who have had such a major impact on our lives or on art.
So it's decided, we're off to discover one of these beautiful retrospective exhibitions! Yes, but which one? To find out, all you have to do is choose the one that appeals to you most, from our selection below. We've compiled a list of the top retrospective exhibitions to see right now and in the weeks to come in Paris and the Paris region.
This guide is updated regularly, according to the programs of museums and art venues in Paris and the Île-de-France region. Don't hesitate to come back to this page often to find out what's new!
LV Dream by Louis Vuitton: free exhibition, boutique, café and chocolate shop
The famous Maison Louis Vuitton opens LV DREAM, a free exhibition and gift store that also features a café and a chocolate shop in collaboration with Chef Pâtissier Maxime Frédéric of Cheval Blanc Paris. While the exhibition is by reservation only, the boutique and café are open to the public. [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]
Van Gogh, the last journeys: the exhibition at Château d'Auvers-sur-Oise - Extensions
Auvers-sur-Oise, the birthplace of Impressionism in the Île-de-France region, was home to the painter Vincent Van Gogh during the last years of his life. The château is extending its event exhibition, focusing on his last journeys, until November 2025. [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]
Etienne Dinet, Algerian passions: the exhibition that takes us on a journey is extended at the IMA
Discover Etienne Dinet and his Algerian passions, in an exhibition organized from January 30 to September 15, 2024 at the Institut du Monde Arabe, Paris. [Read more]
Auguste Herbin exhibition at the Musée de Montmartre - our photos
Discover the little-known genius of Auguste Herbin through a dedicated exhibition at the Musée de Montmartre, from March 15 to September 15, 2024. This unique retrospective retraces the key periods of Herbin's artistic career, from his beginnings in Fauvism and Cubism to his apogee in abstraction. [Read more]
Jean Hélion: the pioneer of abstraction unveiled in a retrospective exhibition at MAM
Discover Jean Hélion, the French painter who imported abstract art to the United States, in an exhibition at the Musée d'Art Moderne from March 22 to August 18, 2024. [Read more]
The Art of James Cameron, the exceptional retrospective exhibition at the Cinémathèque française
From April 4, 2024, immerse yourself in the exceptional worlds of Titanic, Terminator and Avatar with a retrospective exhibition on the work of James Cameron, cinema's leading director and screenwriter, at the Cinémathèque Française. [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]
Tamara Kostianovsky exhibition at the Musée de la Chasse et de la Nature
Discover Tamara Kostianovsky's first major retrospective in France at the Musée de la Chasse et de la Nature in Paris from April 23 to September 22, 2024. This immersive exhibition reveals the artist's singular creations, in which memory, violence and the symbiosis between man and nature come together in unique sculptural works. Immerse yourself in a universe where artistic upcycling comes to life, inviting us to reflect on our relationship with the world and with existence! [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]
Andres Serrano - Portraits of America: the photo exhibition unveiled at the Musée Maillol - promo
The Musée Maillol in Paris is devoting a groundbreaking exhibition to photographer Andres Serrano from April 27 to October 20, 2024, for a look at America as you've never seen it before! Tickets open on April 17! [Read more]
Michel Bassompierre at Rosa Bonheur: the exhibition for animal lovers at Château Rosa Bonheur
Large, curvaceous animals have taken up residence at the Château de Rosa Bonheur: these are the works of Michel Bassompierre, who is exhibiting his sculptures from May 3 to September 30, 2024. [Read more]
Formes et couleurs, a tribute to Ellsworth Kelly at the Fondation Louis Vuitton
To mark the centenary of Ellsworth Kelly's birth, the Fondation Louis Vuitton pays tribute to the abstract artist with the exhibition Forms and Colors, on view from May 4 to September 9, 2024. [Read more]
Géricault's horses: a tribute to the painter unveiled at the Musée de la Vie Romantique
The Musée de la Vie Romantique celebrates the bicentenary of Théodore Géricault's death, with a themed exhibition presented from May 15 to September 15, 2024. [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]
Portraits d'Artistes" exhibition: a tribute to the Street Artists of Clos du Chêne
Le Clos du Chêne, which in just a few years has become France's largest open-air street art museum, is celebrating its leading creators with a brand-new photographic exhibition opening on June 5, 2024. [Read more]
Van Gogh, the starry night: the immersive exhibition returns to the Atelier des Lumières
Presented for the first time in 2019, l'Atelier des Lumières takes us back into the world of Van Gogh, for an immersive exhibition running from July 8 to September 1, 2024. Take a stroll through Van Gogh's most beautiful paintings, rediscovering the misunderstood genius of his time. [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]
A nude evening at the museum: the amusing nocturne surrounding the Andres Serrano exhibition at the Musée Maillol
The Musée Maillol invites you to discover the Andres Serrano exhibition in a whole new way, thanks to a very special nocturnal visit... On September 17, 2024, experience a nude evening at the museum! [Read more]
Frida Kahlo ¡Viva La Vida! a new exhibition at the immersive Grand Palais
Frida Kahlo as you've probably never seen her before! Discover the exceptional exhibition Frida Kahlo ¡Viva La Vida! at the Grand Palais Immersif in Paris, a unique immersion in the life and art of the global icon, from September 18, 2024 to March 2, 2025. Explore her diary, her friendships with the great artists of her time, and her extraordinary creativity! [Read more]
Harriet Backer, the music of colors: the Musée d'Orsay's exhibition of poetic paintings
The Musée d'Orsay invites us to meet Harriet Backer, the famous Norwegian painter, in a colorful and poetic exhibition on view from September 24, 2024 to January 12, 2025. [Read more]
Heinz Berggruen, a dealer and his collection: modern art at the Musée de l'Orangerie exhibition
The Musée de l'Orangerie invites us to discover Heinz Berggruen and his rich collection of modern art, in a new exhibition on view from October 2, 2024 to January 27, 2025. [Read more]
Tarsila do Amaral at the Musée du Luxembourg: Painting modern Brazil
Attention art lovers! The Musée du Luxembourg invites you to discover its latest exhibition focusing on the works of Tarsila do Amaral, an emblematic figure of Brazilian modernism, entitled "Painting Modern Brazil", from October 9, 2024 to February 2, 2025. This retrospective explores her rich heritage of indigenous influences, modernism and the anthropophagic movement, offering a captivating vision of twentieth-century Brazilian art. [Read more]
Olga de Amaral: an XXL retrospective for this abstract artist at the Fondation Cartier
The Fondation Cartier honors Colombian artist Olga de Amaral in a major retrospective running from October 12, 2024 to March 16, 2025. [Read more]
Jackson Pollock, the early years: the retrospective exhibition at the Musée Picasso Paris
The Musée Picasso Paris is organizing a major retrospective in tribute to the American master of abstract painting, Jackson Pollock. Don't miss this exhibition running from October 15, 2024 to January 19, 2025. [Read more]
Martine Syms exhibition at Lafayette Anticipations
Attention contemporary art lovers! American artist Martine Syms takes over Lafayette Anticipations for a retrospective exhibition unique in France, from October 16, 2024 to February 9, 2025. A truly immersive experience where art and commerce meet in an innovative concept store... Immerse yourself in the captivating world of Martine Syms through her works and collaborative objects! [Read more]
Jacques Prévert, dreamer of images: the poetic exhibition at the Musée de Montmartre
The Musée de Montmartre invites you to discover a little-known facet of the poet Jacques Prévert: come and meet the artist through a brand-new exhibition presented from October 18, 2024 to February 16, 2025. [Read more]
Stephen Jones, artists' hats: the unusual and creative exhibition at the Palais Galliera
The Palais Galliera pays tribute to milliner Stephen Jones, in an exhibition dedicated to the art of the hat. On view from October 19, 2024 to March 16, 2025. [Read more]
Wes Anderson: the event exhibition about the famous director at the Cinémathèque
One of the most acclaimed directors of recent years, Wes Anderson has quickly become a benchmark in international cinema. The Cinémathèque française is organizing his first major retrospective from March 19 to July 27, 2025. [Read more]
Painters, sculptors, musicians, actors, major figures in French history... There are many individuals to celebrate! Choose the one that interests you, and come and discover theexhibition dedicated to him or her. Enjoy your visit!
