![[IN]IMAGINABLE : nos photos de l'expo à Fluctuart - Fluctuart 19](https://cdn.sortiraparis.com/images/80/114756/1309589-imaginable-nos-photos-de-l-expo-a-fluctuart-fluctuart-19.jpg)
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, outdoor exhibitions, night openings, and special events: your cultural program for October 2026 is shaping up to be packed.
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.
Pop Art Car 2.0: a free exhibition blending pop art, design and digital culture on the Champs-Élysées
Sponsored - From September 24, 2026 to January 31, 2027, pop art car 2.0 takes over Renault’s showcase on the Champs-Élysées, at 53 Avenue des Champs-Élysées in Paris. With a mix of historical works, never-before-seen digital pieces and automobiles, this free exhibition brings together artists Sébastien Preschoux, Popay, Victor Vasarely and Julio Le Parc. Not to mention the all-new show car, the Renault 8 Gordini Concept, unveiled in a world premiere. [Read more]
Mondriaan Fund x Atelier Néerlandais: The Space Between Breaths, new exhibition by contemporary artists
Sponsored - During Art Basel Week Paris, the Mondriaan Fund and the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Paris present “The Space between Breaths” at the Atelier Néerlandais, a showcase of contemporary Dutch artists under the artistic direction of Julia Geerlings. Admission is free. [Read more]
Hélène Fauquet: Vivresse, an exhibition that pairs bubbles with shells at Lafayette Anticipations.
The artist Hélène Fauquet presents Vivresse, an exhibition at Lafayette Anticipations in Paris, focusing on photography, forms, and perception, running from October 21, 2026 to January 3, 2027. [Read more]
KHADI : a CANVAS, the free exhibition on Indian art and craftsmanship
Sponsored - KHADI : a CANVAS is an exhibition that probes the ongoing dialogue between khadi, art, and India's cultural heritage, weaving in the legacies of Mahatma Gandhi and Raja Ravi Varma. Don’t miss it—it's right in the heart of Paris, in the 7th arrondissement. Best of all, admission is free. [Read more]
Art Basel Paris 2026: a free exhibition of art and design by Charles Zana in an 18th‑century venue
On the occasion of Art Basel Paris 2026, architect and designer Charles Zana opens the doors to his new Paris venue with Something Else, an exhibition that blends art, furniture, and installations, to be showcased from October 21 to 25, 2026. [Read more]
Jean Marquis, chronicler of everyday life: the free exhibition unfolds at the Roger Viollet Gallery
French photographer Jean Marquis is featured at the Roger-Viollet Gallery, from October 8, 2026 to January 23, 2027: come discover the poetic and moving body of work of a true lover of everyday life. [Read more]
At the Edge of Imagination: a free exhibition blending art and ecology at the Pavillon Vendôme
The Clichy-la-Garenne Art Centre unveils "Aux frontières de l'imaginaire," a contemporary art exhibition free to visit from 14 October 2026 to 9 January 2027 at Pavillon Vendôme. [Read more]
Jeanne’s Paintings: A Landscape and Flower Exhibition at the Vert Galant Gallery
La galerie du Vert Galant, in Paris’s 1st arrondissement, presents "Jeanne's Paintings," a show by artist Jeanne Marcel devoted to landscapes, flowers, and beach scenes, running from October 23 to 30, 2026. The program includes 25 canvases and a curated selection of 70 watercolors. [Read more]
The street artist Sax presents a free Land Art exhibition at the Fondation Eugène Napoléon
The free exhibition "Imprints" by SAX brings together painting, photography, and Land Art at the Fondation Eugène Napoléon, a little-known heritage site in Paris's 12th arrondissement, to be discovered from October 29 to November 1, 2026. Three good reasons to go! [Read more]
Cabaret(s): a free photo exhibition at Temple Square
Until December 18, 2026, the railings of Temple Square in Paris host Cabaret(s) – The History of a Living Transmission. A free photo exhibition exploring the history and forms of the French cabaret. [Read more]
Cofee: the street artist presents "Anima", a free, solo exhibition in Paris – our photos
This fall, street artist Cofee takes over a small gallery in Paris's 4th arrondissement to present his new solo exhibition. Entitled "Anima," this free installation features around twenty original works to be admired for four days only, from Thursday, October 8 to Sunday, October 11, 2026. [Read more]
Nature Forte: the collective exhibition that brings together paintings, drawings, photographs and sculptures in Paris
Nature Forte Gallery, located in Paris’s 10th arrondissement, opens its doors to a collective, multidisciplinary exhibition. Free to visit from October 8 to 31, 2026, the installation will showcase, for the occasion, the works of around ten artists around the gallery’s featured theme. [Read more]
"Where's our money?" — a free and socially engaged exhibition on the economic power of women
"Où sont nos thunes" is the free, activist exhibition that casts a critical eye on women’s economic power. Nearly a dozen artists question society through the lens of art in a parcours that blends works, texts and archives, on view until October 24, 2026. [Read more]
Viktoriia Oreshko's free exhibition opens at Sisley in Paris — review and photos
In Paris, the Sisley headquarters will exceptionally open its doors to the public for a free exhibition from October 13 to November 13, 2026. Awarded the 7th Sisley x Beaux-Arts de Paris Prize for Young Creation, Viktoriia Oreshko presents Le Monde des Choses, an unveiling of previously unseen paintings shaped by her memories of Kyiv, everyday objects, and the memory of places. [Read more]
Teenage Dream: Le Quai de la Photo explores adolescence in a free photography exhibition
Friends, romances, sports, music, school... Adolescence comes into focus in a free photo exhibition at Quai de la Photo, running from October 16 to December 21, 2026. [Read more]
150th Anniversary Expo and StreetArt Denfert: the massive free street-art exhibition unfolds.
The 150th Expo and StreetArt Denfert reveal themselves in the former Zara store at Denfert-Rochereau, Paris 14th arrondissement. We caught a sneak preview of this enormous, free street-art exhibition, on offer from October 3 to 25, 2026. Note that access requires free registration—book your tickets now! [Read more]
Jean Faucheur: the urban artist showcases 200 of his drawings in Paris's 13th arrondissement
Considered one of the pioneers of urban art in France, Jean Faucheur is being honored this autumn by the Mathgoth gallery. The exhibition runs until October 24, 2026, offering a chance to discover Jean Faucheur's latest show. Titled "à suivre", the installation features 200 drawings created since 2022, highlighting the breadth of his styles and practices. [Read more]
Exploring Magic: our photos from the free exhibition with mystical overtones at the Goldshteyn-Saatort Gallery
Myths and folklore from the five continents converge in a free collective exhibition at the Goldshteyn-Saatort Gallery in Paris, running from September 25 to November 25, 2026. Titled Exploring Magic, the show brings together artists from around the world, including Ito Chieko, Asuka Irie, and Fin DAC. [Read more]
Street Art Madeleine II relocates and expands, becoming Street Art Denfert on 800 m2.
Free street-art exhibition Street Art Madeleine II leaves the crypt beneath La Madeleine church and becomes StreetArt Denfert to team up with the Expo des 150! On its floor, around a hundred Île-de-France artists will be showcased in the former Zara store at Denfert-Rochereau, Paris’s 14th arrondissement, from October 3 to 25, 2026. We’ve got all the details, and above all, remember to snag your free tickets! [Read more]
At 19M, this free fashion exhibition unveils the secrets behind Maison Michel’s hats.
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]
U2: An Irish Story, the exhibition marking the 50th anniversary of Bono's band at the Irish Cultural Centre
This fall, U2 turns 50. To mark the occasion, the Irish Cultural Centre in Paris presents a free exhibition centered on the legendary band fronted by Bono and its unbreakable bond with Dublin and its homeland. Save the date: September 23 to December 18, 2026, to discover this exclusive event. [Read more]
Bombes Météo: our photos from the street-art exhibition that aims to draw attention to climate disasters
For its autumn show, the Nature Forte Gallery in Paris brings together about twenty urban artists. Titled “Weather Bombs,” this free, collective installation aims to raise awareness of climate catastrophes and, more broadly, the current ecological crisis. The exhibition runs in Paris’s 10th arrondissement until October 3, 2026, inviting visitors to view works by Clément Herrmann, Djalouz, Beton Spirit, and Greg Deniaw. [Read more]
Art Basel Paris 2026: a memory-themed installation at the Chapelle des Petits-Augustins
The Chapelle des Petits-Augustins of Beaux-Arts de Paris is taking part in the new edition of Art Basel Paris, offering a free, off-site installation to be discovered from 20 to 25 October 2026. [Read more]
Art Basel Paris 2026: Contemporary artworks transform Winston Churchill Avenue
Winston Churchill Avenue, which separates the Petit Palais from the Grand Palais, becomes an open-air museum from October 20 to 25, 2026, as part of Art Basel Paris's artistic program. Discover the works selected for this year. [Read more]
Art Basel 2026: a quirky menagerie settles into the Petit Palais — discover the free exhibition
The Petit Palais hosts a free and unconventional contemporary art exhibition, from October 20 to 25, 2026, as part of the off-site programming of the Art Basel Paris fair. [Read more]
Underline, the living space with a free exhibition spanning 2,000 m2 beneath the Petite Ceinture, is being unveiled.
Underline opens its eleven railway vaults to the public on Friday, September 18, 2026, in the 15th arrondissement of Paris. This 2,000-square-metre creative workshop puts materiality and crafts in the spotlight, with a free exhibition featuring 40 artists, a shop, workshops, and a cafe-bar. [Read more]
Art Basel Paris 2026: cinema, dance, sculpture... Alice Diop and Miu Miu take over the Palais d’Iéna
Cinema, photography, sculpture, literature, dance and performance are on display at the Palais d’Iéna for Art Basel Paris 2026. Miu Miu presents "Geste de Consolation", the debut exhibition by Alice Diop, running October 21–25. [Read more]
Sow Our Resistances: An Activist Exhibition Free to Visit at the Maif Social Club
Contemporary artists imagine fairer, more sustainable futures in the exhibition Semons nos résistances, which is free to visit at the Maif Social Club from 17 October 2026 to 24 July 2027. [Read more]
Gulahallat: an exhibition exploring Sámi contemporary art at the Finnish Institute
Sami contemporary art takes center stage at the Finnish Institute this autumn, with a new free exhibition titled "Gulahallat." Make your way to the Nordic Cultural Centre until October 24, 2026 to discover the works and craftsmanship of around a dozen Sami artists, including Hildá Länsman, Outi Pieski, and Marja Helander. [Read more]
10,000 years of culinary travel: the free exhibition at the Chinese Cultural Centre
From September 11 to November 10, 2026, the Chinese Cultural Centre is hosting the free exhibition "10,000 Years of Culinary Journey." Through an interactive tour that blends historical artifacts and technology, discover the millennia-old story and rituals of Chinese cuisine in the 7th arrondissement. [Read more]
![[IN]IMAGINABLE : nos photos de l'expo à Fluctuart - Fluctuart 15](https://cdn.sortiraparis.com/images/6/114756/1309577-imaginable-nos-photos-de-l-expo-a-fluctuart-fluctuart-15.jpg)
![[IN]IMAGINABLE : nos photos de l'expo à Fluctuart - Fluctuart 15](https://cdn.sortiraparis.com/images/37/114756/1309577-imaginable-nos-photos-de-l-expo-a-fluctuart-fluctuart-15.jpg)
![[IN]IMAGINABLE : nos photos de l'expo à Fluctuart - Fluctuart 15](https://cdn.sortiraparis.com/images/70/114756/1309577-imaginable-nos-photos-de-l-expo-a-fluctuart-fluctuart-15.jpg)
![[IN]IMAGINABLE : nos photos de l'expo à Fluctuart - Fluctuart 15](https://cdn.sortiraparis.com/images/71/114756/1309577-imaginable-nos-photos-de-l-expo-a-fluctuart-fluctuart-15.jpg)
[IN]IMAGINABLE: Imaginaries born from lowbrow and pop surrealism on display at Fluctuart
This autumn, the Fluctuart barge in Paris invites you to immerse yourself in the imaginaries born from lowbrow and pop surrealism. Catch it through December 20, 2026 to discover "[IN]IMAGINABLE", a free new exhibition that reveals a space where reality tips into fiction! [Read more]
All's in order: the offbeat exhibition that blends art and fashion at the Swedish Institute — our photos
This autumn, the Swedish Institute presents its collective sense of order, one of the cornerstones of Swedish culture. Visit until October 4, 2026 to discover this group exhibition, free and offbeat, blending art and fashion. [Read more]
KABRALA: Ai Huang's photographic exhibition at La Lison Gallery in Paris
La Lison gallery hosts KABRALA, Ai Huang's first solo exhibition in France, running from September 3 to October 10, 2026. Located in Paris's 10th arrondissement, this series of silver-gelatin self-portraits explores the body, identity, and the transformations of images produced in the darkroom. [Read more]
Théo Mercier and Thomas Houseago: a free joint exhibition at Reiffers Initiatives
This fall, Reiffers Initiatives shines a spotlight on two rising contemporary artists. Head to Paris’s 17th arrondissement to explore the artistic worlds of British sculptor Thomas Houseago and French artist Théo Mercier in a joint, free exhibition not to be missed from October 23 to December 12, 2026. [Read more]
Pavlov's Dogs: Johan Creten's free exhibition at Galerie Perrotin in September
Johan Creten revitalizes aging machines at Galerie Perrotin. In "The Pavlov Dogs," the Belgian artist fuses family memories, ceramics, bronzes, and obsolete computers to probe our automatisms in a free, open exhibition you can discover in the Marais from September 5 to October 10, 2026. [Read more]
BACK TO MR CUTE : the season’s opening exhibition that will have all pop culture and street art lovers swooning.
Sponsored - What if your fondest childhood memories came to life in the heart of Paris? With BACK TO MR CUTE, discover the very first pop-up gallery dedicated to the world of artist Mr Cute. This immersive exhibit blends pop art and street art to playfully reimagine the iconic figures of the 80s, 90s, and 2000s. Goldorak, Candy, Marilyn, Amicalement Votre, Daft Punk, and many more await for a journey that’s as nostalgic as it is surprising… on view for only a few weeks. [Read more]
The Carnavalet Museum marks its 160th anniversary with a weekend of free events.
The Carnavalet Museum marks its 160th anniversary with a fully free, festive weekend in the heart of the Marais, on Saturday 3 and Sunday 4 October 2026, featuring quirky tours, a nocturnal opening, and surprises for the whole family. [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]
Have you made your choice? Don't forget to take a look at this month's exhibition program (free or paying).
Dates and Opening Time
From October 1, 2026 to October 31, 2026
Prices
Free
