Autumn, that curious season when the leaves fall and exhibitions bloom all over Paris. Come uncover this peculiar mystery of nature by visiting the finest exhibitions hosted in the capital and in Île-de-France this autumn 2026. Museums, castles, monuments, galleries and art centers bring this colorful season to life with an exceptional lineup.
Without wishing to spoil things for you, you've got every reason to be excited about this new cultural season! As always, Paris dazzles us with a thousand and one artistic activities that make our days more beautiful.
Whether you’re drawn to celebrated masters or on the hunt for rising talents, whether your taste runs to contemporary art, sculpture, or classical works, and whether you’re planning on a modest outing or a grand art binge—there’s an exhibition for everyone. Here’s a snapshot of the exhibitions taking place this autumn 2026 in Paris. This guide is updated as program announcements roll in, so feel free to check back regularly to stay in the loop on new developments!
Belmondo the Magnificent: France’s film icon at the heart of an exhibition at the Cinémathèque
Bébel shines at the Cinémathèque française: Jean-Paul Belmondo takes center stage in a major exhibition running from October 7, 2026 to January 31, 2027. [Read more]
Nicolas Flamel, the Paper Alchemist: Cluny Museum's Exhibition on the Fascinating Figure
Embark on a journey to meet a fascinating figure in history, where legend and reality intertwine... The Cluny Museum invites you to discover Nicolas Flamel in an exhibition running from October 13, 2026 to January 24, 2027. [Read more]
Art Shopping 2026: the autumn edition of the contemporary art fair at the Carrousel du Louvre
The Art Shopping fair is held at the Carrousel du Louvre in Paris, from October 23 to 25, 2026, for its autumn edition. Find out what's on. [Read more]
Tropical autumn, palms, treasures and secrets: the Nature Exhibition returns to the Jardin des Plantes
The National Museum of Natural History invites you to an immersive nature experience, set amid the Grandes Serres at the Jardin des Plantes, from October 15 to November 23, 2026. This exhibition, titled "Autumn Tropical: Palms, Treasures and Secrets," invites you to discover Paris this fall. [Read more]
A wardrobe of one’s own: the fashion exhibition on the 19th-century revolution of women’s dress at the Palais Galliera
At the Palais Galliera, the exhibition A Wardrobe of One’s Own: Dissident Femininities in the 19th Century reveals a little-known facet of women's fashion. From September 26, 2026 to February 14, 2027, more than 350 works trace how 19th‑century women appropriated the male wardrobe. An exhibition where clothing becomes a tool for emancipation and for reshaping identities. [Read more]
Artists at the Museum: A Special Anniversary Exhibition Celebrates 400 Years of the National Museum of Natural History
The National Museum of Natural History in Paris is celebrating its 400th anniversary with a major exhibition, running from September 23, 2026, to March 7, 2027. Explore the Museum's artists across the centuries and discover the rich artistic heritage intertwined with its scientific legacy. [Read more]
A free, immersive exhibit explores the 1867 Universal Exhibition and the evolution of photography in Paris
Dive into the heart of the 1867 World's Fair through the lens of photography, from November 25, 2026, to February 22, 2027. Experience this engaging and free exhibit at the National Archives, offering an immersive journey into this historic event. [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]
The grand journey of medical discovery: an exhibition at the Arab World Institute
In Paris, the Arab World Institute is delving into the journey of medical knowledge across civilizations, from antiquity to the modern era. Through books, artifacts, and manuscripts, the exhibition "The Great Adventure of Medical Knowledge" will be on display from October 13, 2026, to January 10, 2027. [Read more]
Mary Cassatt: Embracing Independence — The Major Impressionist Exhibition at the Musée d'Orsay
Bold and contemporary, Mary Cassatt asserts her distinctive style and her freedom within Impressionism. From October 6, 2026, to January 31, 2027, the Musée d’Orsay celebrates her hundredth birthday with the exhibition "Mary Cassatt: The Choice of Independence," showcasing nearly 80 rare works. [Read more]
Monet and Time at the Orangerie Museum: An Exhibition Exploring the Moment, the Duration, and the Water Lilies
At the Orangerie Museum, the exhibition "Monet and Time" delves into how Claude Monet captured moments, the passage of time, and the evolving landscape through his series and the Water Lilies cycle, running from September 30, 2026, to March 29, 2027. [Read more]
Exhibition "Cézanne and Us" at the Grand Palais: Dive into the Legacy of the Father of Modern Art
The Grand Palais is hosting a major exhibition dedicated to Paul Cézanne, titled Cézanne and Us, running from September 23, 2026, to January 17, 2027. This outside-the-venue exhibit has been developed in partnership with the Musée d'Orsay. [Read more]
Rafael Pavarotti Photographer: A Fashion Photography Exhibition at the Museum of Decorative Arts in Paris
Fashion photography takes over the Museum of Decorative Arts with an exhibition dedicated to Rafael Pavarotti. From September 23, 2026, to February 7, 2027, over 200 vibrant prints will showcase, for the first time in France, the career of the Brazilian photographer and engage in a dialogue with the museum's photographic collections. [Read more]
Look, 40 Years of Fashion at the Museum: A Retrospective Couture Exhibition at the Museum of Decorative Arts
At the Museum of Decorative Arts, the 40th anniversary of the Museum of Fashion is celebrated with "Look: 40 Years of Fashion at the Museum," a must-see fashion exhibition. Forty iconic ensembles take the runway in the nave's central space, surrounded by sketches, patterns, and embroidery, showcasing four decades of style and craftsmanship. [Read more]
The Hidden Treasures of the Nasrid Alhambra: An Exhibition in the Heart of Granada at the Arab World Institute
From November 24, 2026, to May 16, 2027, the Arab World Institute will take you on a journey to the Alhambra of the Nasrid sultans. Through an immersive experience and the display of extraordinary works of art, the exhibition revives the lost grandeur of Muhammad V's reign. [Read more]
Marie-Antoinette by Sofia Coppola: A Cinematic Exhibition at the Trianon Estate in Versailles
Starting September 22, 2026, the world of cinema takes center stage at the Trianon Estate with a groundbreaking exhibition dedicated to Sofia Coppola's film "Marie-Antoinette," filmed on the grounds of Versailles. [Read more]
Weddings - Farah: a Unique Cultural Exhibition at the Arab World Institute
The Arab World Institute is inviting us to a celebration— and not just any celebration. Immerse yourself in the world of Maghrebian weddings with an expansive, immersive exhibition opening from September 29, 2026, through January 31, 2027. [Read more]
The Call of the Deep: the exhibition in the abyss at the National Maritime Museum
From October 14, 2026, to February 14, 2027, the National Maritime Museum explores the depths at the Trocadéro. Nearly 240 works retrace the history of underwater exploration, from innovations and myths to scientific discoveries. [Read more]
An exhibition dedicated to Marie Antoinette and Louis XVI at the Château de Fontainebleau
The Château de Fontainebleau is hosting the exhibition "Marie Antoinette and Louis XVI at Fontainebleau: Splendor and Sweetness of Life" from October 11, 2026, to January 25, 2027. This is a wonderful opportunity for history buffs to immerse themselves in the life of the royal couple. [Read more]
AURA INVALIDES, the must-see sound and light show in Paris
Looking for a unique nocturnal experience in Paris? Ready to be amazed and embark on a timeless journey to a legendary heritage site? Come and discover AURA INVALIDES, a sound and light show at the iconic Dôme des Invalides as night falls. A magical moment in the heart of the Dome, sure to delight young and old alike. [Read more]
Simulacres: the free exhibition at Magasins Généraux (93) that blurs the lines between reality and illusion.
Reality takes on a slight blur in Pantin, at the Magasins Généraux, from June 25 to September 27, 2026. With the free exhibition “Simulacres,” certainties falter and images sometimes hold the upper hand. Here, seeing isn’t always enough to understand. [Read more]
Fashion in all its majesty: the Haute Couture exhibition at the Musée des Arts Décoratifs unfolds — our photos
The Decorative Arts Museum hosts Fashion in Majesty: Haute Couture and Tradition at the Thai court from May 13 to November 1, 2026. Through more than a hundred outfits, accessories, and textile pieces drawn from the royal family's collections, the exhibition shows how Queen Sirikit modernized Thai ceremonial dress while preserving its traditional codes, notably through her collaboration with Pierre Balmain and Maison Lesage. [Read more]
Descriptive contemporary artworks take up residence in this superb medieval castle in the Val d'Oise.
Resident artists take over the Château de La Roche-Guyon in Val-d'Oise with new works and installations that blend sculpture, sound, and a fantastical menagerie. So we’re off to discover this immersive contemporary exhibition from June 20 to November 1, 2026. We’ve already had a sneak peek at a few pieces and can’t wait to see what else is in store. [Read more]
Primordial Water: the Louvre’s exhibition exploring Mesopotamian myths — our photos
The Louvre Museum in Paris presents The Primordial Water, an exhibition on water in ancient Mesopotamia, running from May 20, 2026 to March 15, 2027. Archaeological artifacts, myths, and irrigation show how this resource shaped the region’s earliest societies. [Read more]
Leonardo Cremonini in Versailles: the exhibition at Espace Richaud and the Lambinet Museum — our photos
The Espace Richaud and the Lambinet Museum in Versailles are hosting an exhibition devoted to Leonardo Cremonini, a master of poetic realism, narrative stillness, and pictorial tension, from May 27 to October 5, 2026. [Read more]
Rebel Princess: The Duchess of Berry at the center of an exhibition at the Domaine de Sceaux
The Domaine de Sceaux invites visitors to rediscover Marie-Caroline, Duchess of Berry, in a historical exhibition running from September 13, 2026, to February 14, 2027. [Read more]
ZEUS, the iconic metal horse from the Olympics, on display for free at the Museum of Arts and Crafts in Paris
Zeus, the mechanical horse from the Olympic Games that captured everyone's hearts, has now arrived at the Musée des Arts et Métiers in Paris. The towering steel colossus is open to the public free of charge from December 17, 2025, to January 10, 2027. [Read more]
Marc Bloch, The Spirit of History: An Exhibition Paying Tribute to the Resistance Fighter at the Panthéon
On the occasion of his entry into the Panthéon, historian and Resistance member Marc Bloch is the centerpiece of a new exhibition. On display from June 25, 2026 to January 10, 2027 at the Panthéon in Paris. [Read more]
Not-to-be-missed art events in Paris over the next few days
Night tours, photo festivals, Heritage Days, street-art events... Whatever the season, art is always in the spotlight in Paris! To make sure you don't miss any of these major cultural events, follow our guide to Parisian art events. [Read more]
Galerie Kiff & Marais: A showroom and exhibition space
Sponsored - Join us at the Kiff & Marais Gallery, a space for exhibitions, events, workshops, and live music. A gallery at the heart of the Marais, hosting a range of events and group exhibitions in the 3rd arrondissement. Every Thursday evening, come and attend openings at the Kiff & Marais Gallery. [Read more]
The Louvre Museum offers free after-hours access on the first Friday of every month—reserve your tickets.
It's the monthly tip everyone takes advantage of: the Louvre opens its doors for free to all visitors on the first Friday of every month, after 6 p.m. Book your tickets quickly for June 5, 2026. [Read more]
Heritage in Resistance: From Timbuktu to Odessa, an Exhibition at the City of Architecture.
Sponsored - In Paris, the Cité de l’architecture et du patrimoine presents the exhibition Patrimoines en résistance : de Tombouctou à Odessa, running from May 20, 2026 to January 3, 2027, a look at heritage in wartime, where destruction, safeguarding, and rebuilding come into play. [Read more]
Paris Photo 2026: Dates for the Next Edition of the Art Fair at the Grand Palais
Paris Photo is gearing up for an extraordinary edition, taking place from November 12 to 15, 2026, in the heart of the French capital. The Grand Palais will once again open its doors to photography enthusiasts and industry professionals alike, offering a vibrant space to reconnect, share, and celebrate the art of photography at one of Paris’s most iconic cultural venues! [Read more]
How will you start the new season?
Dates and Opening Time
From September 22, 2026 to December 20, 2026
