Thursday in Paris: exhibitions to see today in the capital's museums and art venues

Paris and the surrounding area are home to numerous museums, foundations and cultural institutions. So many, in fact, that they can even be grouped by theme: fashion museums ,contemporary art museums, military museums , children's museums , science museums...

And that's not counting the art galleries! As you can see, the Paris region is a fertile playground for those who loveart and culture.

All these cultural venues regularly organize temporary exhibitions, to honor an artist, explore a theme, question a subject... With these exhibitions, museums enrich our knowledge and stimulate our curiosity. And it's up to us to make the most of them!

Weekends are often busy in Paris. There's no question, however, of missing the exhibition you like because the program is too full! So this Thursday, we're taking a moment to ourselves, and heading off to the region's museums and monuments, to discover a lovely exhibition. Discover the artistic events of the moment, to be seen in the art venues of Paris and Île-de-France.

Exhibitions to see this Thursday:

AURA INVALIDES, the must-see sound and light show in Paris
Looking for a unique nocturnal experience in Paris? Ready to be amazed and embark on a timeless journey to a legendary heritage site? Come and discover AURA INVALIDES, a sound and light show at the iconic Dôme des Invalides as night falls. A magical moment in the heart of the Dome, sure to delight young and old alike. [Read more]

Exhibition Through the Ages: Bulgarian Traditional Costumes
Sponsored - Paris hosts a collection of authentic pieces, testifying to another era and to traditional craftsmanship. Head to the Bulgarian Cultural Institute through November 20, 2026. [Read more]

Paris is back in session: the Museum of Illusions has more than one trick up its sleeve.
Sponsored - The Musée de l'Illusion, located at 98 Rue Saint-Denis in Paris's 1st arrondissement, welcomes visitors as a family, with friends, or with colleagues. The venue offers a must-see experience where “all of your senses will be turned upside down.” [Read more]

Eva Gonzalès exhibition at the Petit Palais: our photos from the retrospective
The Petit Palais presents Eva Gonzalès’s first major retrospective, in Paris’s 8th arrondissement. Nearly 100 works by Manet’s sole pupil are on view until January 24, 2027, and we take you there in photos. [Read more]

Gulahallat: an exhibition exploring Sámi contemporary art at the Finnish Institute
Sami contemporary art takes center stage at the Finnish Institute this autumn, with a new free exhibition titled "Gulahallat." Make your way to the Nordic Cultural Centre until October 24, 2026 to discover the works and craftsmanship of around a dozen Sami artists, including Hildá Länsman, Outi Pieski, and Marja Helander. [Read more]

We are (still) here : the final days of the free urban art exhibition at the Petit Palais
After its first edition in 2024, the We are here exhibition is back at the Petit Palais: enjoy a rich journey through urban art right in the heart of the Paris Beaux-Arts Museum’s collections. The exhibition is free to visit from June 20 to September 20, 2026. [Read more]

Andy Warhol at the Musée du Luxembourg: a surprising exhibition of the artist's overlooked works.
The Musée du Luxembourg shines a spotlight on Andy Warhol's drawings in a never-before-seen exhibition running from September 16, 2026 to January 10, 2027. [Read more]

Auguste Bartholdi, Liberty Enlightening the World: the secrets of the statue revealed at the Musée d'Orsay
From September 15, 2026 to January 31, 2027, the Musée d’Orsay will spotlight the Statue of Liberty, a true icon, and its creator, Auguste Bartholdi, a renowned 19th-century sculptor who collaborated with Eugène Viollet-le-Duc and Gustave Eiffel. [Read more]

Exhibition ALTAR: Palucki Studio x Polish Library of Paris (Paris Design Week)
Sponsored - ALTAR: The Polish Library in Paris showcases Palucki Studio's sculptural design for Paris Design Week 2026 [Read more]

Knowledge in trompe-l'œil: the historical exhibition on Korean art at the Guimet Museum
Embark on a journey into the art of trompe-l'œil in 18th‑century Korea, with the exhibition "Le savoir en trompe-l'œil," on view at the Guimet Museum from September 16, 2026, to January 4, 2027. [Read more]

WILD NATURE: an exhibition of naturalist and symbolic painting
Sponsored - Between shadows and instincts, a naturalist and symbolic painting exhibition: 'Nature Sauvage' by artist Sailev at Espace Saint-Martin. Opening on September 3 from 6 p.m. [Read more]

Rebel Princess: The Duchess of Berry Takes Center Stage in a Historical Exhibition at the Domaine de Sceaux
The Domaine de Sceaux invites visitors to rediscover Marie-Caroline, the indomitable Duchess of Berry, in a historical exhibition running from September 13, 2026 to February 14, 2027 in the former stables. [Read more]

10,000 years of culinary travel: the free exhibition at the Chinese Cultural Centre
From September 11 to November 10, 2026, the Chinese Cultural Centre is hosting the free exhibition "10,000 Years of Culinary Journey." Through an interactive tour that blends historical artifacts and technology, discover the millennia-old story and rituals of Chinese cuisine in the 7th arrondissement. [Read more]

[IN]IMAGINABLE: Imaginaries born from lowbrow and pop surrealism on display at Fluctuart
This autumn, the Fluctuart barge in Paris invites you to immerse yourself in the imaginaries born from lowbrow and pop surrealism. Catch it through December 20, 2026 to discover "[IN]IMAGINABLE", a free new exhibition that reveals a space where reality tips into fiction! [Read more]

Eternal Tintoretto: the Italian painter in the spotlight at a Jacquemart-André Museum exhibition
Come and admire the masterpieces of Tintoretto, the master of Italian painting, at the Jacquemart-André Museum, in an exclusive exhibition on view from September 11, 2026 to January 24, 2027. [Read more]

The Edgar Quinet Creation Market: a free, open-air art gallery
Sponsored - The Edgar-Quinet Creation Market welcomes visitors each Sunday in Paris’s 14th arrondissement. Here you can discover painting, sculpture, photography, printmaking and ceramics from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., year round. [Read more]

Bombes Météo: the street-art collective exhibition that aims to raise the alarm about climate disasters
For its season-opening show, Galerie Nature Forte in Paris brings together around thirty urban artists. Titled “Bombes Météo,” this collective, free installation aims to raise awareness of climate disasters—and more broadly, the current ecological crisis. Come see their works from September 10 to October 3, 2026 in the 10th arrondissement of the capital. [Read more]

POSTAL ART: Exhibition and Paintings by Susana Machado at Galerie Couleur du Jour in Paris
Sponsored - POSTAL ART, Susana Machado's exhibition, takes over Galerie Couleur du Jour in Paris's 11th arrondissement from September 15 to October 10, 2026, centering on travel. Free admission, open daily from 3:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., except Mondays. [Read more]

All is in order: the offbeat exhibition at the Swedish Institute for Paris Design Week - our photos
This autumn, the Swedish Institute reveals its shared sense of order, one of the pillars of Swedish culture. Mark your calendars from September 2 to October 4, 2026 to discover this collective, free-spirited exhibition that blends art and fashion, presented for Paris Design Week. [Read more]

KABRALA: Ai Huang's photographic exhibition at La Lison Gallery in Paris
La Lison gallery hosts KABRALA, Ai Huang's first solo exhibition in France, running from September 3 to October 10, 2026. Located in Paris's 10th arrondissement, this series of silver-gelatin self-portraits explores the body, identity, and the transformations of images produced in the darkroom. [Read more]

Free street art exhibition by Djalouz in Paris’s 13th arrondissement: In My Nest 2
Djalouz is back in the 13th arrondissement with a new free street art exhibition at 13 Korner, the second edition of his project "Dans mon nid," running from September 10 to 27, 2026. The lineup features 3D graffiti, sculptures, live painting, workshops, and a Pigecam scavenger hunt. [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]

BACK TO MR CUTE : the season’s opening exhibition that will have all pop culture and street art lovers swooning.
Sponsored - What if your fondest childhood memories came to life in the heart of Paris? With BACK TO MR CUTE, discover the very first pop-up gallery dedicated to the world of artist Mr Cute. This immersive exhibit blends pop art and street art to playfully reimagine the iconic figures of the 80s, 90s, and 2000s. Goldorak, Candy, Marilyn, Amicalement Votre, Daft Punk, and many more await for a journey that’s as nostalgic as it is surprising… on view for only a few weeks. [Read more]

Got some free time this Thursday? Here are a few ideas for outings in the capital.

What to do this Thursday, September 17, 2026 in Paris? Must‑see outings.
Pop-up BIGBANG, Camille Giry at L’Européen, Cocktail Festival at Eataly, Judas Priest and Evanescence: what’s on in Paris this Thursday, September 17. [Read more]