What a joy it is to finally be in May! We're really looking forward to the public holidays, the sunshine and the festive events... And let's not forget the exhibitions on offer in Paris and the Ile-de-France region. For art lovers, there's no season to visit a museum. If it's raining, you run for cover; if it's too hot, you go there to cool off. It's unstoppable, and we love it every time!
This May 2026 is no exception: we have every intention of visiting as many exhibitions as possible. Yes, but which ones? There's no shortage of choice in the Paris region. Fashion, photography, sculpture, contemporary art, street art... It's hard to decide, there are so many options.
Here's a criterion that might help you: several exhibitions end in May 2026. So before they close for good, we'd advise you to run and see them! Discover below a selection of exhibitions closing their doors in the next few days.
The "Vivre Ensemble" exhibition by Yann Arthus‑Bertrand at Place de la Concorde: free studio and activities.
This spring, Yann Arthus‑Bertrand invites you to discover the beauty and diversity of today’s France through a groundbreaking event called "Living Together." What’s on the program? A photo exhibition, a photo studio, not to mention encounters to be discovered on Place de la Concorde from April 11 to May 10, 2026. More details to come. [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]
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]
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]
Soulages–Hartung Exhibition in Paris: Elective Affinities at Perrotin Gallery
In Paris, the Perrotin gallery is dedicating an exhibition to Pierre Soulages and Hans Hartung, titled Soulages-Hartung: Elective Affinities, from April 25 to May 30, 2026. This artistic gathering brings together works, archives, an unpublished interview and studio tools to illuminate the connections, differences and shared inquiries of the two major postwar abstraction painters. [Read more]
Lee Mingwei at Perrotin Gallery in Paris: an exhibition exploring connection, gesture, and ritual
Perrotin Gallery in Paris presents a show by artist Lee Mingwei, titled "When Beauty Appears," running from April 25 to May 30, 2026. A contemporary art exhibition rooted in ritual, exchange, and the visitor's experience. [Read more]
Susumu Kamijo exhibits at the Perrotin Gallery in Paris: a gentle interlude between flowers and animals.
Perrotin Paris gallery presents a new exhibition devoted to Susumu Kamijo, featuring When I Think of You in Spring, running from April 25 to May 30, 2026. A deep dive into contemporary painting built from flowers, animals, and pared-back forms. [Read more]
Rachel Hardouin Gallery: three exhibitions exploring absence, nostalgia, and melancholy in Paris
The Rachel Hardouin Gallery in Paris brings together artists Éléonore Guiraud, Chloé Bertschy, and Alessandro Ferraro Manzotti for three exhibitions devoted to absence, nostalgia, and melancholy, running from April 27 to May 2, 2026. [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]
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]
Flops?! Dare to fail, dare to innovate: explore the after-hours exhibition before it ends at the Musée des Arts et Métiers.
The Museum of Arts and Crafts is exploring failure and its essential role in invention, through the quirky exhibition "Flops. Dare, Fail, Innovate," running from October 14, 2025, to May 17, 2026. Evening openings are planned from May 5 to May 16, 2026. [Read more]
Beyond Our Horizons: From Tokyo to Paris, the free exhibition at Galerie du 19M extended
Beyond our Horizons lands in Paris: from January 29 to May 10, 2026, Galerie du 19M brings French artisans and Japanese creators onto the same thread. After delighting 75,000 visitors in Tokyo, the exhibition invites a journey where tradition and audacity intersect at every gesture. Embroidery, casts, feathers and metals become bridges between cultures and the arts and crafts. [Read more]
Ghost at La Lison Gallery: our photos from the exhibition Before the Ashes
La Lison Gallery hosts from April 9 to May 16, 2026 "Avant les cendres," a solo exhibition by the artist Fantôme focused on black, line, textures, and abstraction, in a dialogue between visual arts and tattooing. Through layering, strokes, and dark matter, the artist reveals a pared-down universe. [Read more]
Arabian horse celebration: Marine Oussedik’s works on display at the Grand Mosque of Paris
From April 29 to May 29, 2026, the Grand Mosque of Paris is spotlighting the works of Marine Oussedik in an unprecedented exhibition entitled "Celebration of the Arabian Horse." [Read more]
Exhibition "Biegas et l’Ukraine": an artistic immersion at the Polish Library in Paris
Sponsored - The Polish Library of Paris invites you to its exhibition “Biegas and Ukraine,” a free cultural event not to be missed in the heart of Île Saint-Louis. [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]
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]
Eggxtraordinaire: a free, offbeat and foodie exhibition you won’t want to miss in the Marais
An exhibition unlike any other to discover during Easter time. From April 3 to May 3, 2026, at Galerie Joseph, pastry chefs, chocolatiers, and artists explore the egg and its symbols with the free exhibition Eggxtraordinaire. An offbeat event you simply have to see! [Read more]
Easter 2026 holidays at the Musée d'Orsay: family-friendly activities, storytelling and workshops
This year's Easter vacations are packed with museum activities: guided tours, workshops, events... there's plenty to keep young and old busy during these two weeks without school, with the Vacances au musée program offered by the Musée d'Orsay. [Read more]
JEMA 2026: Home, Fashion, Art... Free Exhibition at the Galerie des Ateliers in Paris
In Paris, the European Heritage Days of Craftsmanship are set to take place from April 7 to April 12, 2026. To mark the occasion, the Galerie des Ateliers de Paris will host "30 Faubourg – the Art of Everyday Life Made in Paris," an exhibition celebrating Parisian artisan skills from April 2 to May 16, 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]
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]
This Paris exhibit turns coffins into art pieces at the Nothing Serious gallery
The Nothing Serious gallery is inviting you to explore a truly unique exhibition featuring unusual coffins and funerary urns, titled From Paa Joe to Paaris, running from February 27 to May 24, 2026. [Read more]
Spring Drawing Festival 2026: Evening dance and drawing events at the Henner and Moreau Museums
For the upcoming edition of the Printemps du Dessin, the Jean-Jacques Henner Museum and the Gustave Moreau Museum will host evening events titled "Dance, Drawing, and Music" on March 19, April 17, and May 28, 2026. [Read more]
After Michelangelo: The exhibition questioning the legacy of the master at the Beaux-Arts Museum of Paris
The Beaux-Arts de Paris are hosting an exhibition centered on Michelangelo, highlighting the profound impact he has had on generations of artists from his era to the present day. Open from March 24 to May 24, 2026. [Read more]
Sebastião Salgado takes center stage in a free photography exhibition at Paris City Hall
Paris City Hall pays tribute to photographer Sebastião Salgado with a major exhibition, which will be open to the public free of charge from February 21 to May 30, 2026. [Read more]
Contrast and indifference: the exhibition that explores the world at the Canadian Cultural Centre
From February 12 to May 16, 2026, the Canadian Cultural Centre in Paris will showcase the work of four artists driven by a critical consciousness. Titled “Contrast and Indifference,” this exhibition explores the tensions of contemporary society through photographs, videos, and sculptures. [Read more]
All Parts Of Us: Susanna Inglada Exhibits at Drawing Lab in Paris
The Drawing Lab in Paris is hosting the exhibition All Parts Of Us by Susanna Inglada, the recipient of the 2025 Drawing Now Award, from February 13 to May 10, 2026. Through a compelling blend of drawings, installations, and videos, the artist delves into the tensions shaping our modern world, examining the collective gaze and power dynamics at play. [Read more]
American Images at MEP: Dana Lixenberg examines the American Dream through a captivating photo exhibition
Through her striking portraits, photographer Dana Lixenberg challenges the myth of the American Dream. Her exhibition, American Images, is open for visitors at the Maison Européenne de la Photographie from February 11th to May 24th, 2026. [Read more]
In these halls: contemporary photographer Jo Ractliffe showcases her work at the Jeu de Paume, revealing powerful images.
The Jeu de Paume is hosting an exhibition showcasing the work of photographer Jo Ractliffe. Discover the striking images of "En ces lieux" from January 30 to May 24, 2026. [Read more]
Global Warning: Renowned photographer Martin Parr celebrated in a new exhibition at the Jeu de Paume
Photographer Martin Parr offers a satirical take on our societal excesses and the degradation of the environment in his exhibition Global Warning. Don't miss this thought-provoking showcase at the Jeu de Paume, running from January 30 to May 24, 2026. [Read more]
Beyond the wall of his - techno parties: free photography exhibition at the Maison Doisneau
The Doisneau House immerses visitors in the world of techno nights with a documentary photography exhibition, open to the public free of charge from March 13 to May 31, 2026. [Read more]
Exhibition at the Musée d'Orsay: Northern Light – Scandinavian and Dutch Drawings
The Musée d'Orsay unveils "Northern Lights," an exhibition of 19th-century Scandinavian and Dutch drawings running from February 10 to May 10, 2026. Symbolist landscapes and intimate scenes showcase the unique sensibility of the Nordic artistic tradition. [Read more]
Circulation(s) 2026: Everything You Need to Know About Europe’s Premier Festival for Young Photography at Le Centquatre
The Circulation(s) festival returns to the 104 from March 21 to May 17, 2026. For over 15 years, this event showcasing emerging European photography has become a must-attend occasion for art enthusiasts in Paris. [Read more]
An immersive dinosaur exhibition featuring giant LEGO creations at Paris Montreuil Expo — our photos
Watch out for the dinosaurs, they're invading Paris Montreuil Expo from December 20, 2025, to May 3, 2026, during a LEGO Jurassic World exhibition by "The Brickman." Nearly fifteen brick dinosaurs, immersive sets, and family activities await you there. [Read more]
Les Peintres de la Marine: an exhibition dedicated to the maritime world at the Espace Richaud in Versailles
The Espace Richaud is celebrating 400 years of the French Navy with an exhibition dedicated to the works of the official painters of the Navy. Running from November 19, 2025, to May 3, 2026, the exhibition "Les Peintres de la Marine" invites the public to discover the maritime world from an artistic and historical perspective. [Read more]
Mummies: an unusual and disturbing exhibition to discover at the Musée de l'Homme
The Musée de l'Homme takes us on a journey through the fascinating history of mummies, with an exhibition-event combining science and culture, open from November 19, 2025, to May 25, 2026. [Read more]
Père Lachaise Studios Open House, Winter Edition: discover Parisian artists
Art lovers are invited to discover the new edition of the Père-Lachaise Open Studio Days, which await us for artistic visits on the weekend of December 6 and 7, 2025. This is an opportunity to discover local painters, sculptors, and photographers, who will reveal their works and their expertise! [Read more]
Small steps on the Moon: an exhibition for young astronauts at the Musée de l'Air et de l'Espace
Young children fly to the Moon at the Musée de l'Air et de l'Espace! From December 14, 2025 to May 17, 2026, discover the playful exhibition Petits pas sur la Lune. [Read more]
Have you made your choice from this selection? There's not a moment to lose, let's head for the museums! And after this visit, you could also discover an exhibition opening this month.
Exhibitions set to open in Paris in May 2026: what's new to discover this month
Fill up on May 2026’s latest openings with these exhibitions kicking off in museums across Paris and Île-de-France. It’s all fresh and new—the only thing missing is you! Discover the program. [Read more]
Dates and Opening Time
From May 1, 2026 to May 31, 2026
Exhibitions set to open in Paris in May 2026: what's new to discover this month
