Themed exhibitions to see in Paris, for an exciting cultural outing

Rain, shine, snow, Valentine's Day or Fête de la Musique, 7 or 93, there's always an exhibition open in Paris. All year round, the capital and the surrounding area are brimming with cultural outings, featuring fashion, photography, historical painting, digital art... And sometimes, there are exhibitions on even more specific subjects.

Paris museums, art galleries and institutions regularly focus on very specific themes, enabling us to discover unique worlds. These themed exhibitions reveal the secrets of a special character in the theater, a short-lived artistic movement, a topical issue or the specialty of a fashion house. Narrowly focused, with precise themes, they can conceal a treasure trove of information.

So, these themed exhibitions feed our curiosity and enable us to learn more about a wide variety of subjects! You too can become an expert in disco music or the combat sports of the inter-war years, with these exhibitions full of surprises currently on show in Paris and the Île-de-France region.

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Current events

Upcoming events

The current thematic exhibitions:

Science Experiences, the concept between museum and theme park at Bercy Village
Science Expériences is a unique concept combining museum and amusement park to bring science to life for children. With scientific experiments, virtual reality and video mapping, it uses the latest technologies to bring science to life for children... [Read more]

A car transformed into a work of art and Korean hanji at the Hôtel de la Marine for Paris Design Week 2026
Between tradition and metamorphosis, the Hôtel de la Marine is hosting Hanjimania and Astre Mobile from September 9 to 27, 2026: on one side, Korean hanji; on the other, a car transformed from the street into artwork. [Read more]

The Artist’s Fabric at the Bourdelle Museum: What Secrets Lie in the Wardrobes of the World’s Leading Designers?
With The Fabric of the Artist, on view from September 23, 2026 to January 24, 2027, the Bourdelle Museum probes the little-known links between fashion, sociology, and art history, explored through the wardrobes of history’s greatest painters and sculptors. [Read more]

A design exhibition traverses the Arc de Triomphe, arriving at its acroterion, during Paris Design Week 2026.
The Tempest sweeps the Arc de Triomphe from September 9 to October 4, 2026. Jérémy Pradier-Jeauneau curates a route through sculpture, installation, and design, with exclusive access up to the monument’s parapet during Paris Design Week. [Read more]

A free exhibition introduces the new Arabic design scene to the IMA during Paris Design Week 2026.
The young Arabic design scene makes its mark at the Institut du Monde Arabe during Paris Design Week. From September 10 to 20, 2026, a free exhibition highlights a new generation of creators and their take on shapes, materials, and everyday use. [Read more]

The Soul of Paris: a free exhibition for Heritage Days 2026 in the 14th arrondissement
Sponsored - The Soul of Paris, a free exhibition for the 2026 Heritage Days, awaits you in the 14th arrondissement on September 19, from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. [Read more]

This free fashion exhibition dedicated to footwear lands at Printemps Haussmann for the new season.
Talons, sneakers, loafers or shoes that have become works of art: the shoe is unveiled from every angle at Printemps Haussmann. From September 9 to October 28, 2026, the free exhibition Pas à Pas unfolds a journey in 11 sections, weaving together fashion, history and contemporary creations. [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]

Offbeat Versailles — the little-known tales: a remarkable exhibition at the Ancienne Poste
The Old Post Office of Versailles invites us to uncover the city’s little-known stories, through a quirky exhibition running from September 9 to November 15, 2026. [Read more]

Lady Liberty: the famous statue at the heart of an exhibition at the Museum of Arts and Trades.
The Museum of Arts and Crafts invites us into the secrets behind the construction of the Statue of Liberty, with the exhibition Lady Liberty, on view from September 22, 2026, to August 1, 2027. [Read more]

This free exhibition reveals the archives of Paris’s famous pinch-handed figurines.
They have populated castles, pirate ships and police stations for decades. The archives of this famous figurine brand arrive at Hôtel Drouot today for an exhibition and an unprecedented auction running from September 23 to 26, 2026. [Read more]

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]

Gianni Versace: The retrospective exhibition of the Italian fashion designer at the Maillol Museum — extended
Paris goes glam this summer with the "Gianni Versace Retrospective" at the Maillol Museum, running June 5 to October 31, 2026. Between baroque opulence and an overload of prints, the fashion retrospective promises color and extravagance, true to the legend. [Read more]

Landscape stories, from Monet to Hockney: a painting exhibition at the Marmottan Monet Museum.
The Marmottan Monet Museum dives into landscape art from 1890 to the present, offering a rich and varied journey. Discover the exhibition Histoires de paysages from September 24, 2026, to January 31, 2027. [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]

This fashion exhibition in Paris reveals the intimate Africa of a master couturier in 50 silhouettes.
Memories turned into silhouettes. From July 7, 2026 to January 4, 2027, the Azzedine Alaïa Foundation stages an exhibition that explores the deep ties between the designer and Africa, through around fifty creations and previously unseen photographs by Peter Beard. [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]

Hugo and Architecture: From Stone to Quill, a Drawing Exhibition at the House of Victor Hugo
Victor Hugo's House is hosting a thematic exhibition on architecture in Hugo's work, with a particular focus on his drawings. On view from June 11 to November 22, 2026. [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]

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]

Marilyn Monroe at the Galerie de l’Instant, a photography exhibition centered on Sam Shaw’s portraits
The Galerie de l’Instant in Paris presents "Marilyn, Portrait of a Radiant Child," an exhibition devoted to the photographs of Marilyn Monroe by Sam Shaw, from June 1 to September 15, 2026. A journey through the star’s image, spanning cinema, portraiture, and more intimate moments. [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]

Paradise Feathers: An Invitation to Travel to Papua New Guinea, from the Quai Branly
The Quai Branly – Jacques Chirac Museum in Paris is hosting the exhibition Feathers of Paradise from May 12 to November 8, 2026. Dedicated to the birds of paradise from New Guinea, this showcase features nearly 190 items—including adornments, paintings, preserved specimens, fashion objects, and illustrated books. The exhibit takes visitors on a journey through five centuries of fascination with these spectacular creatures, weaving together perspectives from art, science, ethnology, and ecology. [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]

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]

Jardins des Lumières: an exhibition on the art of garden design at the Grand Trianon, Palace of Versailles
At the Grand Trianon of the Palace of Versailles, in Yvelines, the exhibition Jardins des Lumières (1750-1800) delves into the art of the landscape garden through nearly 160 works, including paintings, models, drawings, and furniture. Go see it from May 5 to September 27, 2026, and take the opportunity to explore the Trianon gardens and the Queen's Hamlet. [Read more]

Medieval Fashion: an exhibition exploring medieval dress at the John the Fearless Tower
At the Tour Jean Sans Peur, medieval life unfolds in the exhibition "La mode au Moyen Âge," on view until March 7, 2027. As the last remaining relic of the Palais parisien des Ducs de Bourgogne, the venue provides a striking setting to explore medieval dress, from silhouettes and accessories to social codes, all enhanced by a rich program of activities and events tied to the exhibition. [Read more]

Annette Messager at the Museum of Hunting and Nature: An Exhibition Exploring the Relationship Between Animals and Humans
The Museum of Hunting and Nature in Paris is presenting a groundbreaking exhibition by artist Annette Messager, focused on animal imagery and its artistic reimagining. Running from April 14 to September 20, 2026, the show is titled "A Swallow Doesn't Make Spring." It features a mix of installations, hybrid artworks, and iconic pieces that engage in a compelling dialogue with the museum's existing collections. [Read more]

Frontier Exhibition at the Cité des sciences: Understanding borders around the world — our photos
The Frontière exhibition opens at the Cité des sciences et de l’industrie in Paris, offering an immersive journey about borders around the world, from April 14, 2026, to January 2, 2028. Designed for visitors aged 12 and up, it draws on ten concrete scenarios to explore the geographical, political, social, and artistic dimensions of lines that divide, of spaces people traverse, and of the tensions of our times. [Read more]

Video Games & Music at the Philharmonie: our photos from the exhibition about video game music
The Philharmonie de Paris highlights video game music with the exhibition Video Games & Music – The Music You Are the Hero Of, on view from April 2 to November 1, 2026. conceived as an immersive, interactive journey, the show traces the evolution of video game soundtracks, from Pong’s early electronic tones to the expansive scores of Final Fantasy, demonstrating how musical creation has accompanied the history and transformations of the medium. [Read more]

Exhibition 1913-1923: The Spirit of the Age — A Meeting of Cultures at the Quai Branly Museum, photographs
At the start of the 20th century, European artists began to explore the arts of Africa and Oceania. The Quai Branly Museum chronicles this cultural encounter through a unique exhibition running from March 17 to September 20, 2026. [Read more]

Revealing femininity, fashion, and appearance in the 18th century: the exhibition on self-image at the Cognacq-Jay Museum
The Cognacq-Jay Museum delves into the myriad portrayals of women in the 18th century with a captivating exhibition: "Women in the Mirror, Appearances and Imaginaries". The show runs from March 25 to September 20, 2026. [Read more]

Following in the footsteps of dinosaurs: an immersive exhibit at the Great Gallery of Evolution at the Museum
Step into the shoes of paleontologists and embark on a journey to explore the world of dinosaurs. This engaging and immersive educational exhibition will be on display from July 16, 2026, through January 2028. [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]

Me and Others: An Exhibition Exploring Our Digital Lives at the EDF Foundation
Contemporary artists are delving into our digital lives and identities through the exhibition Me and Others, showcased free of charge at the EDF Foundation from March 13 to September 27, 2026. [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]

From steel to paper, a look at engraved stamps: the exhibition at the Postal Museum
The Postal Museum is presenting an exhibition of photos on the engraved stamp, which can be seen from November 7, 2025, to October 12, 2026. [Read more]

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Upcoming thematic exhibitions:

AI in Focus: An Educational Exhibition at the Air and Space Museum
Artificial intelligence is at the center of current affairs, but do you really know what it is? The Air and Space Museum offers a clear look at the topic with the exhibition Cap on AI, on view from October 15, 2026 to June 27, 2027. [Read more]

Viktor & Rolf: a fashion‑event exhibition set to open at the Musée des Arts décoratifs in 2027
Sculptural gowns, exaggerated volumes, trompe-l'œil and spectacular silhouettes: the Musée des Arts décoratifs in Paris dedicates its next major retrospective to Viktor & Rolf from January 28 to July 4, 2027. A chance to discover thirty years of haute couture where fashion waltzes with contemporary art. [Read more]

Le Bon Marché unveils an exhibition and an auction of rare pieces from Japanese designers.
Le Bon Marché Rive Gauche puts Japanese fashion in the spotlight... before driving it to auction. An exhibition of rare pieces is on view from October 13 to 18, 2026, a prelude to an unprecedented sale organized as part of Super Japon, the department store’s autumn event. [Read more]

Cosmofania at the Abbey of Maubuisson: a contemporary art exhibition exploring the sacred and the unseen
The Abbey of Maubuisson, in Saint-Ouen-l’Aumône in the Val-d’Oise, hosts Cosmofania, a collective exhibition exploring the sacred, rituals, memory, and the unseen worlds, from October 11, 2026, to February 21, 2027. Thirteen artists take over the former Cistercian abbey with installations, photographs, sculptures, sound works, and multiple performances. [Read more]

A History of French Cinema: the exhibition at the Museum of the History of Immigration
The National Museum of the History of Immigration explores the influence of Maghrebi immigration on French cinema. The exhibition A History of French Cinema is on view from October 30, 2026 to March 31, 2027. [Read more]

The Musée de l'Homme debunks common myths about drugs in a major, offbeat exhibition.
Why do people use drugs, which societies rely on them, how do we define a drug? The Museum of Mankind answers all our questions in an unusual and unprecedented exhibition to be unveiled from November 18, 2026 to June 6, 2027. [Read more]

Girls, adolescence, fashion and rebellion: the multifaceted exhibition at the Grand Palais
Artists, fashion designers, filmmakers and photographers explore the rich, expansive world of girls’ adolescence in the exhibition Girls, opening at the Grand Palais from December 9, 2026 to March 21, 2027. [Read more]

In Paris, this exhibition traces 60 years of fashion through the lens of Irving Penn, opening in September.
Irving Penn makes his mark at the Maison Européenne de la Photographie with PENN & FASHION, running from September 30, 2026 to January 17, 2027. Spanning more than six decades of images, the exhibition shows how his eye reshaped the rules of fashion photography, from Dior and Balenciaga to Issey Miyake, Chanel, and John Galliano. [Read more]

First Nations: An exhibition exploring the arts and cultures of North America at the Quai Branly Museum
The Quai Branly Museum invites visitors to meet the First Nations of the Pacific Northwest with an exhibition running from September 29, 2026 to January 10, 2027. [Read more]

Circus, a breeding ground for modern art: a vibrant exhibition at the Montmartre Museum
The circus has long captivated and inspired many artists. The Montmartre Museum presents a selection of 20th‑century works tied to this vibrant world, in the exhibition "The Circus, a Factory of Modern Art," on view from October 16, 2026 to February 14, 2027. [Read more]

Magic Exhibition at the Cité des Sciences: when illusion becomes a scientific experience
The Cité des sciences et de l’industrie in Paris hosts Magic, a temporary exhibition devoted to illusions, cognitive biases, and the mechanisms of perception, running from October 13, 2026 to August 1, 2027. Designed in collaboration with magic companies and cognitive science researchers, this interactive journey, open to visitors aged 9 and up, explores why our brains sometimes fall for tricks. [Read more]

In 3D! The fashion exhibition that explores technical craftsmanship at the Palais Galliera
Crafting clothes is an art in itself! The Palais Galliera is turning its spotlight on sewing techniques that add volume to our outfits, in an unusual exhibition to be unveiled from December 12, 2026 to October 17, 2027. [Read more]

Georges Perec at the center of an exhibition at the BnF François-Mitterrand
The writer Georges Perec is at the heart of a show bearing his name, on view at the BnF François Mitterrand from October 13, 2026 to February 14, 2027. Come discover this indispensable 20th‑century author. [Read more]

Brussels 1900 Exhibition at the Petit Palais: Belgian art in the spotlight in Paris
The Brussels 1900 exhibition at the Petit Palais invites us to step into the vibrant artistic scene of Belgium’s capital at the turn of the 20th century, through painting, architecture, jewellery and fashion. On view at the Petit Palais from 10 November 2026 to 25 April 2027. [Read more]

Gustave Fayet at the Louis Vuitton Foundation: Van Gogh, Gauguin and Redon in a landmark exhibition
The Louis Vuitton Foundation is dedicating a major, blockbuster exhibition to Gustave Fayet, a visionary collector and multi-disciplinary creator, from October 9, 2026, to March 8, 2027. [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]

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]

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]

Long live the bride! : An unprecedented cultural exhibition at the Arab World Institute
The Arab World Institute invites us to a celebration like no other... Dive into the world of Maghrebi weddings with a major immersive exhibition running from September 29, 2026 to February 28, 2027. [Read more]

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Want more? Discover our special selections on Sortiraparis.com.

Unusual exhibitions in Paris: original art events to see now
Paris is a veritable open-air museum, and beautiful exhibitions are a constant feature of this cultural capital. This time, we're taking you on a voyage of discovery of unusual exhibitions, those whose scenography and themes will surprise you with their originality! So, are you ready to be surprised? [Read more]

Sculpture exhibitions: what you must see in Paris at the moment
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