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.
Rambolitrain Retro 2026: a big toy and garden train fair at Rambolitrain, on May 1.
It's an annual tradition at Rambolitrain, the museum dedicated to the toy train in Rambouillet, to hold a festive day on May 1st. This year, discover this family event with the kids! [Read more]
Free evening hours at the Bourse de Commerce: book your tickets for Saturday, May 2, 2026.
Want to visit the Bourse de Commerce’s collections? Take advantage of the free late opening, held on the first Saturday of each month, to discover this essential art venue in Paris. The next date to note in your calendar: Saturday, May 2, 2026. [Read more]
Tour Auto 2026: Over 230 classic cars on display beneath the Grand Palais’s glass roof
Under the glass roof of the Grand Palais, more than 230 classic cars will be on show on May 3 and 4 in Paris, as a prelude to Tour Auto 2026. Before the start of this heir to the Tour de France Automobile, enthusiasts will be able to get up close to these exceptional models on the eve of their spin along the roads of France. [Read more]
Free castles, museums and monuments in Yvelines, Sunday, May 3, 2026, the first Sunday of the month - 78
On the first Sunday of every month, many monuments, castles, museums, and historic sites in Yvelines open their doors for free. But that isn’t the case for everyone, all year round. To help you navigate, here’s the list of cultural sites in the 78 to visit this Sunday, May 3, 2026. [Read more]
Free entry to castles and museums in Seine-et-Marne this Sunday, May 3, 2026 — the first Sunday of the month.
On the first Sunday of each month, many castles, museums, and monuments in Île-de-France open their doors for free. How does that look in Seine-et-Marne? Some sites are free every first Sunday of the month year-round, while others, on specific dates, we break down what's happening this Sunday, May 3, 2026. [Read more]
The Perfume Theatre Reopens Its Doors: Discover the Fragonard Museum, near the Paris Opera
Set in a former theater in the heart of Paris, just steps from the Opéra Garnier, the Fragonard perfumery reopens the doors to its Théâtre du Parfum, a historic museum dedicated to the art of perfumery. The venue opens to the public from May 4, 2026. [Read more]
The Circle of Parisian Artists returns to the Parc Floral in Paris: over 500 works to discover.
Sponsored - The Circle of Parisian Artists is staging its 24th annual exhibition in the heart of Paris's Parc Floral, a stunning natural setting that invites artistic discovery. This must-attend event celebrates the richness and diversity of contemporary creation, bringing together more than 130 artists and showcasing over 500 works from May 4 to May 31, 2026. [Read more]
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]
Jonk & Friends: the exhibition that blends street art and photography at the Nature Forte Gallery
This spring, photographer Jonk invited 13 of his fellow artists to contribute to his photographs. The exhibition, simply titled "Jonk & Friends," is on view for free at Galerie Nature Forte from May 7 to June 6, 2026. [Read more]
Everyone’s looking for their cat: a street-art exhibition centered on felines at Fluctuart
"Everyone's Looking for Their Cat," is the name of the new free urban art exhibition to see at Fluctuart. Join us from May 7 to August 23, 2026 to admire the works by about ten street artists created around the famous feline. [Read more]
Viandalism: the exhibition bridging street art and contemporary art at the Mona Bismarck
Graffiti and contemporary art converge at the Mona Bismarck with Viandalism, an exhibition bringing together 40 artists from May 7 to 8, 2026. Over two days, this artistic gathering offers a different way of circulating the works and presenting them to the public. Free admission, but registration is required. [Read more]
Nocturne Calder #1: Exhibition, music, workshop and bar at the Fondation Louis Vuitton in May 2026
The Louis Vuitton Foundation kicks into gear for its first late-night opening dedicated to Calder, this Friday, May 8, 2026. Music, guided tours and works suspended in space compose an evening of balance and vibration. A night when art sways, guiding you into its dance. [Read more]
Open studios at Père-Lachaise: a Parisian stroll to meet the artists
Art lovers are invited to explore the new edition of the Open Studios at Père-Lachaise, with artistic tours on the weekend of May 8–11, 2026. An opportunity to discover local painters, sculptors, and photographers, who will reveal their works and their craft to you! [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]
This free exhibition celebrates the Monogram’s 130th anniversary with a selection of exceptional trunks in Paris.
In Paris, some exhibitions are worth a detour. To mark the 130th anniversary of Louis Vuitton's Monogram canvas, Gros & Delettrez unveils a rare selection of trunks and travel goods from May 19 to 21, 2026. Three days to discover them for free, before they go up for auction. [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]
Primordial Water at the Louvre: An Exhibition Exploring Water in Ancient Mesopotamia
The Louvre Museum in Paris will host Primordial Water from May 20, 2026, to March 15, 2027. This exhibition explores the vital role of water in ancient Mesopotamian civilizations and will be displayed in the Oriental Antiquities Department galleries. Through archaeological artifacts, mythological stories, and the earliest hydraulic structures, visitors will delve into the development of irrigation systems and discover how Mesopotamian societies organized their landscapes around this crucial resource. [Read more]
Bricks of Wonder: a family-friendly exhibition built with famous construction bricks in Paris
L'artiste Dirk Denoyelle unveils his Lego brick works in a playful, family-friendly exhibition, on view from May 23 to August 16, 2026 at Espace Champerret in Paris. [Read more]
Beyond the Streets: Graffiti and Street Art Legends Take Center Stage at La Villette's Grand Hall
Urban art takes center stage at La Villette's Grande Halle with the blockbuster exhibition "Beyond the Streets"! Running from May 27 to August 30, 2026, visitors will have the chance to explore works by over 100 leading artists specializing in graffiti and street art, spread across more than 3,600 square meters. What’s on offer? A mix of iconic historical pieces, exclusive new artworks, and immersive installations created specifically for this event. [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]
More than a hundred artist studios are throwing open their doors in Belleville for a weekend!
The Belleville Artists’ Open Studios return for a free 37th edition, showcasing more than 170 artists and collectives to discover across the entire neighborhood. See you May 28–31, 2026! [Read more]
Paris Gallery Weekend 2026, a free, contemporary weekend across Paris's art galleries
A festive weekend at the heart of art is on offer with the Paris Gallery Weekend, from May 29 to 31, 2026. Exhibitions, encounters, cocktails, and performances: discover what awaits you free of charge. [Read more]
JACE, the street artist behind Gouzou, unveils his exhibition "Cœur Sensible" in Paris's 13th arrondissement.
Le street artiste Jace, known worldwide for his famous Gouzous, returns to Paris with a new solo exhibition in collaboration with the Mathgoth gallery. This time, the French urban artist takes over a 300-square-meter pop-up space in the 13th arrondissement to present his "Cœur Sensible." [Read more]
Le Vésinet, Chatou, Carrières-sur-Seine... artist studios open their doors in May 2026.
On the occasion of the Parcours d’art de la Boucle de Seine, on May 30–31, 2026, nearly sixty artist studios and craftspeople will open their doors to the public. From Carrières-sur-Seine to Chatou, via Croissy-sur-Seine, Houilles, Le Vésinet and Montesson, this free art-filled excursion invites visitors to discover the behind-the-scenes of creation along the charming lanes of the Yvelines (78). [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
