Free exhibitions in Paris in October 2026: great ideas for art lovers

We just love autumn! Its shimmering trees, its warm drinks, its All Saints' Day vacations with the bigHalloween party... And, of course, its exhibitions!October marks the start of a new season in Paris' museums and galleries: new programs get underway, and many surprises await us.

But all these events come at a price, and our wallets can't always keep up. Fortunately, there are plenty of free exhibitions in Paris and the Paris region to quench our thirst for art, even on a tight budget!

Free collections, galleries, art venues, open-air exhibitions, nocturnes, special events: your cultural program for October 2025 promises to be a busy one.

So let's take a look at the free art exhibitions and events that await you this month. Don't forget to consult this guide regularly: we'll be adding new ideas for outings as the capital's museums and art venues are announced.

• To be read
• The best weekend picks for August 14–16, 2026 in Paris and Île-de-France

Free exhibitions to see in October 2026 in Paris and Île-de-France:

This free fashion exhibition in Paris reveals how the hats that headline the major runway shows are created.
Behind a beret, a boater, or a capeline lie hours of work and skills handed down through generations. From September 23 to December 13, 2026, the 19M will host a free exhibition dedicated to Maison Michel, inviting the public to discover the behind-the-scenes of hatmaking. [Read more]

Gulahallat: an exhibition exploring Sami contemporary art at the Finnish Institute
Sami contemporary art heads to the Finnish Institute this fall, as part of its new free exhibition titled "Gulahallat." The Nordic Cultural Centre will host the show from September 11 to October 24, 2026, where you can explore the works and craftsmanship of around ten Sami artists, including Hildá Länsman, Outi Pieski, and Marja Helander. [Read more]

U2: An Irish Story, the exhibition marking the 50th anniversary of Bono's band at the Irish Cultural Centre
This autumn, U2 turns 50! To mark the occasion, the Irish Cultural Centre in Paris is hosting a free exhibition devoted to the legendary Irish rock band U2. Mark your calendars for September 23, 2026, to discover this unprecedented event. [Read more]

Everything's in order: the free exhibition that blends art and fashion at the Swedish Institute
Back to school season, the Swedish Institute will showcase its shared sense of order, one of the cornerstones of Swedish culture. Mark your calendars for September 2 to October 4, 2026 to discover this free, collective exhibition blending art and fashion. [Read more]

[IN]IMAGINABLE at Fluctuart: dive into the imagined worlds born from lowbrow and pop surrealism
This autumn, the Fluctuart houseboat in Paris invites you to dive into the imaginations born of lowbrow and pop surrealism. From September 10 to December 20, 2026, discover "[IN]IMAGINABLE," a new free exhibition spotlighting works by Amandine Urruty, Benjamin Lacombe, Stom500, Veks Van Hillik, and Ador. [Read more]

Street Art Madeleine II, the free exhibition featuring more than 100 artists at the Madeleine Church
The free Street Art Madeleine II exhibition takes over the crypt of the Church of La Madeleine in Paris, from October 1 to 11, 2026. More than 100 street artists and nearly 200 original works come together underground to celebrate the release of Codex Urbanus’s Petit Atlas du Street Art. [Read more]

Fashion Week: A dress worn by Lady Gaga on display for free at a luxury Paris hotel — photos
Feathers, crystals and spectacular silhouettes are taking over a Paris luxury hotel. For Haute Couture Fashion Week, the Sofitel Paris Le Faubourg is showcasing several fashion pieces worn by international stars, free of charge, until October 6, 2026. [Read more]

Women sculptors honored in Prune Nourry's Visionaries exhibition at the Petit Palais
Artist Prune Nourry is set to spotlight forgotten women sculptors in the history of art with an exhibition at the Petit Palais, running from October 20, 2026 to January 24, 2027. [Read more]

Two centuries of images: a free, outdoor photography exhibition in Hauts-de-Seine.
The Domaine de Sceaux and the Chanteraines departmental park are hosting a brand-new, free photo exhibition. From June 18 to December 18, 2026, discover “Two Centuries of Images.” [Read more]

Night-time Paris of the 20th century unfolds in a free photo exhibition at the Roger-Viollet Gallery.
Paris shines as much by day as by night: discover the capital’s rich nocturnal life, with the exhibition "Paris, Open at Night," on view for free from June 11 to October 3, 2026 at the Roger-Viollet Gallery. [Read more]

Silent Storytellers: Female Sculptors Share Their Journeys in a New Exhibition at Espace Monte-Cristo
The Monte-Cristo Space will host several female sculptors from April 18 to December 13, 2026, offering free access to the exhibition titled "Speakers of Silence." [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]

Acne Paper Palais Royal: the permanent (art) gallery for the Acne Studios brand opens in Paris
Paris mixes fashion and culture in style! On June 26, 2025, Acne Studios opened its first independent art gallery, Acne Paper Palais Royal, under the arcades of the Palais Royal. An arty new spot in the heart of the 1st arrondissement. [Read more]

L'Esquisse, Barbizon's new cultural hotel, both café and free museum
L'Esquisse is a fusion of hotel, café and free museum. We're off to Barbizon, the famous artists' village, to take advantage of this new spot that combines large, charming rooms, a great café by the fireplace and a free museum honoring the artists who have influenced Barbizon around the world. [Read more]

Have you made your choice? Don't forget to take a look at this month's exhibition program (free or paying).