Blue Monday 2026: 10 Exhibitions to Brighten Up This Depressing Monday in Paris

The third Monday of January—which falls on January 19, 2026, this year—is widely regarded as the most dreadfully depressing day of the year. But there's an easy remedy: lift your spirits by exploring the fantastic exhibitions currently on display in Paris!

Have you heard of Blue Monday ? This expression refers to the most depressing day of the year: the third Monday in January. It was coined in 2005 for a Sky Travel advertising campaign. This Monday in January would be a sad one, for a variety of reasons: bad weather, a salary that's long overdue, the end of the euphoria of the festive season, vacations too far away, the abandonment of good resolutions...

There's no scientific evidence to suggest that this is a particularly depressing day. But we can all experience a little sluggishness at one time or another. So why not take this opportunity to stock up on a little happiness?

On Monday, January 19, 2026, we’ve rounded up a wide array of outings designed to lift your spirits. As fellow art lovers, we’ve curated about ten exhibitions that bring us joy. A perfect chance to indulge yourself and forget about today’s restrictions!

Back to school season: educational and pedagogical museums to explore with children in Paris
School is back in session for the kids. Want to accompany your little ones in a playful way after the start of the school year? Then here’s our selection of educational museums in Paris, where you can learn a lot while having fun—and great for families with children. [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]

This two-part fashion exhibition, a marquee event, has been extended until mid-May 2026 — our photos
Since November 20, 2025, the Dior Gallery has been hosting an entirely new exhibition bringing together more than a hundred pieces from Azzedine Alaïa’s collection. Extended to May 17, 2026, this event echoes a second exhibition presented at the Azzedine Alaïa Foundation from December 1, 2025, and on view until June 21, 2026. Together, these two showcases celebrate the captivating dialogue between Dior and Alaïa, while highlighting the Tunisian couturier’s deep admiration for the mythical New Look. [Read more]

Captivating Time: Van Cleef & Arpels' Free Watchmaking Exhibition at the Heritage Gallery
Time is on full display with all its seconds and minutes. At the Galerie du Patrimoine, Van Cleef & Arpels presents a horological showcase titled "Enchanting Time," a free jewelry exhibition running from January 16 to June 1, 2026, in Place Vendôme, Paris. [Read more]

Dynastic Jewels: A Sparkling Exhibition at the Hôtel de la Marine in Paris
The Al Thani Collection and the Victoria and Albert Museum are teaming up to bring us a spectacular new exhibition. Running from December 10, 2025, to April 6, 2026, don’t miss "Dynastic Jewels" at the Hôtel de la Marine in Paris. [Read more]

Colors of Korea: free contemporary art exhibition at the Korean Cultural Center in Paris, photos
The Korean Cultural Center unveils the exhibition "Couleurs de Corée, Lumière sur l'art contemporain coréen", on the occasion of the 140th anniversary of diplomatic relations between France and Korea, from October 24, 2025 to August 29, 2026. This free exhibition presents a unique immersion in Korean art, illustrating the work of 34 artists who blend tradition and innovation through the power of color. [Read more]

The Musée de la Sculpture en plein air: a free art walk in the heart of Paris
Have you heard of the Musée de la Sculpture en plein air? Located in the Square Tino Rossi in the 5th arrondissement, this small museum offers a free cultural stroll along the banks of the Seine, in a magnificent bucolic setting. [Read more]

Deserts: the extended scientific exhibition at the Natural History Museum in Paris
The National Museum of Natural History in Paris takes us to the most extreme corners of the planet with the exhibition "Deserts," open from April 2, 2025, to April 19, 2026. [Read more]

Kathia St. Hilaire: A Powerful Exhibition at the Perrotin Gallery
The Haitian-American artist Kathia St. Hilaire is showcasing a series of engravings and collages in Paris that delve into themes of spiraling, migration, and exile stories. On view at the Perrotin Gallery from January 10 to March 7, 2026, the exhibition offers a contemplative exploration of diasporic journeys, blending artistic expression with political insight. [Read more]