Exhibitions in Paris in May 2025: Top 10 must-sees

Published by La Rédac · Photos by Laurent de Sortiraparis · Updated on May 2, 2025 at 07:20 a.m.
Would you like to discover a beautiful exhibition while taking advantage of public holidays and long weekends? Paris has a wealth of artistic discoveries in store for you in May 2025! Between major retrospectives, immersive exhibitions and new talents to watch, the capital is becoming more than ever the stage for unmissable cultural events. To make sure you don't miss a thing, discover our selection of the 10 must-see exhibitions in Paris in May. Museums, art galleries, cultural centers: let us guide you to the heart of contemporary creation and the treasures of the past!

Paris is a city rich in quality exhibitions, and May 2025 is no exception. In this article, we present a top 10 list of must-see exhibitions during the month, to help you choose the best cultural outings to suit your desires. From unusual exhibitions to the most eagerly awaited, our selection will help you discover the capital's hidden treasures.

In May, do as you please, and for many of us, that means discovering great exhibitions in and around Paris. Our top 10 best exhibitions of May 2025 presents the new museums opening their doors, the exciting immersive exhibitions, as well as the major exhibitions eagerly awaited by art and culture enthusiasts.

Whether you're a fan of photography, street art, contemporary art or retro works, our selection of exhibitions has something for everyone. Take advantage of public holidays and long weekends to immerse yourself in the most beautiful exhibitions coming to life in Paris this spring.

Please note that this article is regularly updated with the latest information about exhibitions in Paris in May 2025. Don't hesitate to come back and consult our guide to keep up to date and plan your cultural outings.

In short, it's time to make some great discoveries. Whether the weather's fine or not, the capital is always full of great exhibitions, whether you like history, immersive interaction or exceptional works of art.

And for even more choice, take a look at our guides :

Rick Owens : l'exposition mode évènement dédiée au créateur débarque cet été au Palais Galliera - image00065Rick Owens : l'exposition mode évènement dédiée au créateur débarque cet été au Palais Galliera - image00065Rick Owens : l'exposition mode évènement dédiée au créateur débarque cet été au Palais Galliera - image00065Rick Owens : l'exposition mode évènement dédiée au créateur débarque cet été au Palais Galliera - image00065 May 2026 exhibitions: this month’s art program in Paris and Île-de-France
What’s worth seeing in May 2026 in Paris and Île-de-France? The lineup of standout exhibitions is arriving, promising fresh discoveries across the capital’s museums and monuments. Choose your next cultural outing of the month. [Read more]

Zipcy à Paris : l’exposition La Forteresse Douce à la galerie Goldshteyn-Saatort - IMG 6608Zipcy à Paris : l’exposition La Forteresse Douce à la galerie Goldshteyn-Saatort - IMG 6608Zipcy à Paris : l’exposition La Forteresse Douce à la galerie Goldshteyn-Saatort - IMG 6608Zipcy à Paris : l’exposition La Forteresse Douce à la galerie Goldshteyn-Saatort - IMG 6608 Smart tip: Free exhibitions to see in May 2026 in Paris and the Île-de-France region.
Which free exhibitions await us in May 2026 in Paris and Île-de-France? We’re revealing the cultural highlights bringing spring to life in the capital. Here come the free exhibitions! [Read more]

Geluck expose Le Chat : l'exposition rétrospective entre art et humour se dévoile au musée Maillol - fotor 1762952700525Geluck expose Le Chat : l'exposition rétrospective entre art et humour se dévoile au musée Maillol - fotor 1762952700525Geluck expose Le Chat : l'exposition rétrospective entre art et humour se dévoile au musée Maillol - fotor 1762952700525Geluck expose Le Chat : l'exposition rétrospective entre art et humour se dévoile au musée Maillol - fotor 1762952700525 Exhibitions in Paris: not-to-be-missed artists' retrospectives
To discover or rediscover all the works of an artist, there's nothing like a retrospective! Museums and art galleries in Paris and the Île-de-France region are well aware of this, offering a wide range of retrospectives to visit without delay. [Read more]

Château d'Écouen - Musée national de la Renaissance  -  A7C8403Château d'Écouen - Musée national de la Renaissance  -  A7C8403Château d'Écouen - Musée national de la Renaissance  -  A7C8403Château d'Écouen - Musée national de la Renaissance  -  A7C8403 Historical exhibitions in Paris: art events to see now
Attention history buffs! Museums in Paris and the Paris region are overflowing with great exhibitions, immersing you in the history of France and the world... And if you're not sure which exhibition to choose, we've put together a selection of historical exhibitions and retrospectives for you to see again and again, for a journey through time like no other! [Read more]

Renaissance : De Vinci, Raphaël, Michel-Ange : l'expo immersive se dévoile à l'Atelier des Lumières - fotor 1773228882836Renaissance : De Vinci, Raphaël, Michel-Ange : l'expo immersive se dévoile à l'Atelier des Lumières - fotor 1773228882836Renaissance : De Vinci, Raphaël, Michel-Ange : l'expo immersive se dévoile à l'Atelier des Lumières - fotor 1773228882836Renaissance : De Vinci, Raphaël, Michel-Ange : l'expo immersive se dévoile à l'Atelier des Lumières - fotor 1773228882836 Immersive exhibitions: unusual concepts currently on view in Paris and the Île-de-France region
In Paris, unusual exhibitions are multiplying in the capital's art centers and museums. From immersive experiences to interactive works and sensory strolls, these exhibitions are sure to get you high. Mark your calendars! [Read more]

Zoo Art Show à Paris La Défense, nos photos - A7C01070Zoo Art Show à Paris La Défense, nos photos - A7C01070Zoo Art Show à Paris La Défense, nos photos - A7C01070Zoo Art Show à Paris La Défense, nos photos - A7C01070 Must-see street art exhibitions in Paris and the Ile-de-France region
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K-Beauty au musée Guimet : l'exposition sur la beauté en Corée du Sud se dévoile en images - fotor 1773747946488K-Beauty au musée Guimet : l'exposition sur la beauté en Corée du Sud se dévoile en images - fotor 1773747946488K-Beauty au musée Guimet : l'exposition sur la beauté en Corée du Sud se dévoile en images - fotor 1773747946488K-Beauty au musée Guimet : l'exposition sur la beauté en Corée du Sud se dévoile en images - fotor 1773747946488 Travelling in Paris: exhibitions that transport us to faraway lands
There are a thousand and one reasons why we can't travel and see the world. However, this doesn't mean we have to stay stuck at home: many exhibitions take us to more exotic landscapes and make us true globetrotters. Follow the guide! [Read more]

Visuels musée et monument musée dOrsayVisuels musée et monument musée dOrsayVisuels musée et monument musée dOrsayVisuels musée et monument musée dOrsay Sculpture exhibitions: what you must see in Paris at the moment
Art is expressed in many different forms; one of our favorites is perhaps sculpture... So we suggest you to discover our selection of sculpture exhibitions to see in Paris and in Île-de-France at the moment. [Read more]

Le musée de la Vie Romantique, lieu d'art incontournable des romantiques du XIXe siècle à Paris - fotor 1770979045862Le musée de la Vie Romantique, lieu d'art incontournable des romantiques du XIXe siècle à Paris - fotor 1770979045862Le musée de la Vie Romantique, lieu d'art incontournable des romantiques du XIXe siècle à Paris - fotor 1770979045862Le musée de la Vie Romantique, lieu d'art incontournable des romantiques du XIXe siècle à Paris - fotor 1770979045862 Painting exhibitions: not-to-be-missed events in Paris and the Île-de-France region
Looking for a great exhibition in Paris? You've come to the right place: here, we've put together a selection of the finest painting exhibitions currently on show in Paris. All you have to do is choose your next outing! [Read more]

Les Plantamouves du Centre Georges Pompidou - CC8E8B8D F884 414A 9509 16BD61DF0E2DLes Plantamouves du Centre Georges Pompidou - CC8E8B8D F884 414A 9509 16BD61DF0E2DLes Plantamouves du Centre Georges Pompidou - CC8E8B8D F884 414A 9509 16BD61DF0E2DLes Plantamouves du Centre Georges Pompidou - CC8E8B8D F884 414A 9509 16BD61DF0E2D 15 exhibitions to discover with children right now in Paris
Museums are not just for grown-ups! Yes, there is no age to appreciate art: the proof is in these exhibitions that will delight children and their parents/guardians/grandparents, in Paris and the Ile-de-France region. [Read more]

Exposition Générale : la Fondation Cartier raconte 40 ans d'expositions pour sa réouverture - fotor 1760960735432Exposition Générale : la Fondation Cartier raconte 40 ans d'expositions pour sa réouverture - fotor 1760960735432Exposition Générale : la Fondation Cartier raconte 40 ans d'expositions pour sa réouverture - fotor 1760960735432Exposition Générale : la Fondation Cartier raconte 40 ans d'expositions pour sa réouverture - fotor 1760960735432 Contemporary art exhibitions to discover these days in Paris
Do you love contemporary art? Then we'd like to take you on a tour of current and forthcoming exhibitions in the Paris region, so that you don't miss out on any cultural events in Paris and the Île-de-France region. [Read more]

Practical information

Dates and Opening Time
Starts May 1, 2025

× Approximate opening times: to confirm opening times, please contact the establishment.
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