Public holidays, bridging days, vacations: during the month of May, the French enjoy many days off. But there's no question of spending them on the sofa, especially when the weather's so nice outside! We're off to discover the exhibitions opening this month in Paris and the Paris region.
In May 2026, art and culture lovers are in for a treat: between Nuit des Musées, International Museum Day, and new programs for the capital's art venues, it looks like May will be entirely dedicated to culture... And so much the better!
But let's not spread ourselves too thin, or we won't have time to visit all the new exhibitions this month. So let's stay focused and get out the diary: it's time to plan our next discoveries! Contemporary art, fashion, photography, history, painting... Every day, a new artist, a new exhibition to see. A bit like an Advent calendar, only better, because the weather's nice.
So here's our selection of new exhibitions not to be missed in May 2026 in Paris and the Île-de-France region.
Jardin des Lumières: An Exhibition Celebrating Garden Art at the Grand Trianon, Versailles
At the Palace of Versailles, the Grand Trianon hosts a brand-new exhibition: "Garden of Lights." Visitors can experience this captivating display from May 5 through September 27, 2026. [Read more]
Hilma af Klint at the Grand Palais: a groundbreaking exhibition celebrating the pioneer of abstract art
The Grand Palais is hosting a groundbreaking exhibition dedicated to Hilma af Klint, the visionary Swedish artist, in partnership with the Centre Pompidou, from May 6 to August 30, 2026. This exhibit offers France’s first opportunity to experience her mystical and pioneering works firsthand — pieces that have long remained in the shadows of art history. [Read more]
Plumes of Paradise at the Quai Branly Museum: an exhibition celebrating the birds of New Guinea
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]
Fashion in all its grandeur: Haute couture and tradition at the Thai court — an exhibition at the Museum of Decorative Arts
Looking ahead, the Musée des Arts Décoratifs is gearing up for a grand exhibition on royal fashion: “Majestic Fashion: Haute Couture and Tradition at the Thai Court,” set to run from May 13 to November 1, 2026. Over a hundred garments and accessories—designed by Queen Sirikit in collaboration with Thai historians and designers—offer a captivating glimpse into the evolution of royal elegance. This sartorial dialogue began with the legendary designer Pierre Balmain and continues today through the Balmain and Lesage houses. [Read more]
The Navy and the Painters: A Major Exhibition Exploring Art and Authority at the Museum of the Navy
The Museum of the Navy highlights the painters who helped shape the history of the French fleet, with a historical exhibition opening from May 13 to August 2, 2026. [Read more]
Primordial Water at the Louvre: An Exhibition Exploring Mesopotamia and Water Management
The Louvre Museum will showcase The Primeval Water exhibition from May 20, 2026, to March 15, 2027, in the Antiquities of the Orient galleries. This exhibit will explore how Mesopotamian civilizations invented some of the earliest hydraulic systems and envisioned their surroundings in relation to water. Through artifacts, stories, and infrastructure models, the display will examine our modern relationship with this vital resource. [Read more]
Silla: Gold and the Sacred — An Exhibition Showcasing Korea's Treasures at the Guimet Museum
The Guimet Museum unveils ancient treasures from the Silla Kingdom in South Korea with the exhibition "Silla: Gold and the Sacred," open from May 20 to August 31, 2026. [Read more]
Leonardo Cremonini exhibition at the Espace Richaud and the Musée Lambinet in Versailles
The Espace Richaud and the Musée Lambinet in Versailles are hosting an immersive exhibition dedicated to Leonardo Cremonini, master of poetic realism, narrative silence, and pictorial tension, from May 27 to October 5, 2026. [Read more]
Don't forget your sun cream, bottle of water and wallet for the souvenir store, and off we go! Enjoy your visit, folks.
Dates and Opening Time
From May 1, 2026 to May 31, 2026
