Schoolbags ready, bathing suits packed: there's no doubt about it, it's back-to-school time in Paris and the Ile-de-France region. What a joy! Yes, it's great to be back at the capital's museums, foundations and art galleries, and above all, their programming.
As the summer draws to a close, a whole host of new exhibitions await us at our beloved art temples. Contemporary art, retrospectives, impressionist painters, history or themed exhibitions: there's something for every taste, and every audience. This autumn, it's a chance to discover fabulous artists, admire impressive works and plunge into incredible creative universes... How can you resist getting carried away by this artistic whirlwind?
But a word of caution: the new season is shaping up, and it takes some planning. To avoid getting lost in all the current programs, here’s a concise pick to guide your first steps into the museums. Without further ado, here are 10 exhibitions to see as soon as possible, for the 2026 autumn season.
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]
Contemporary art takes over the Cité de l'architecture: four exhibitions to discover at the Trocadéro
Sponsored - From October 16, 2026 to January 3, 2027, the Cité de l'architecture in Paris hosts four exhibitions spanning contemporary art, sculpture, and sustainable architecture. [Read more]
"Where's our money?" — a free and socially engaged exhibition on the economic power of women
"Où sont nos thunes" is the free, activist exhibition that casts a critical eye on women’s economic power. Nearly a dozen artists question society through the lens of art in a parcours that blends works, texts and archives, on view until October 24, 2026. [Read more]
150th Anniversary Expo and StreetArt Denfert: the massive free street-art exhibition unfolds.
The 150th Expo and StreetArt Denfert reveal themselves in the former Zara store at Denfert-Rochereau, Paris 14th arrondissement. We caught a sneak preview of this enormous, free street-art exhibition, on offer from October 3 to 25, 2026. Note that access requires free registration—book your tickets now! [Read more]
Remember Me: more than 700 photographic masterpieces from the Pinault Collection on display at the Bourse de Commerce
La Bourse de Commerce presents the photographic masterpieces from the Pinault Collection, on view from October 7, 2026 to January 18, 2027. For a little over three months, come and explore roughly 700 works by more than 70 artists, including Irving Penn, Raymond Depardon, Cindy Sherman, Annie Leibovitz, Man Ray, Erwin Blumenfeld, as well as Henri Cartier-Bresson and Richard Avedon. [Read more]
Look, 40 years of fashion at the museum: the Musée des Arts Décoratifs retrospective exhibition — our photos
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]
Free-admission castles and museums in Yvelines this Sunday, October 4, 2026 — the first Sunday of the month.
Free museums and monuments in Yvelines open their doors to the public for free on this first Sunday of the month. This Sunday, October 4, 2026, several cultural sites in the 78 can be visited without spending a penny. Here’s the rundown on the best free-access opportunities. [Read more]
Mary Cassatt. The Independent Woman: The Impressionist Exhibition at the Musée d’Orsay — our photos
From October 6, 2026 to January 31, 2027, the Musée d’Orsay presents Mary Cassatt. "The Independent Woman," a retrospective of nearly 80 paintings, pastels, and prints to mark the centenary of her death. [Read more]
Nicolas Flamel, the Paper Alchemist: the figure comes to light in the Cluny Museum's exhibition
Embark on a journey to meet a fascinating figure from history, where legend and reality meet... The Musée de Cluny invites you to discover Nicolas Flamel in an exhibition that sets the record straight, from October 13, 2026 to January 24, 2027. [Read more]
Cézanne and Us at the Grand Palais: our photos from the blockbuster exhibition
Le Grand Palais hosts Cezanne and Us, a major retrospective conceived with the Centre Pompidou, the Musée d'Orsay and the Orangerie. Bringing together 174 masterpieces and numerous works by key figures of modern art, the show traces the imprint of the Aix-en-Provence artist from September 23, 2026 to January 17, 2027. [Read more]
Free Castles and Museums in Seine-et-Marne this Sunday, October 4, 2026 — the first Sunday of the month.
This first Sunday of the month, several castles, museums, and monuments in Seine-et-Marne open their doors free of charge. Here is our pick of free outings to enjoy this Sunday, October 4, 2026, across the department. [Read more]
Rafael Pavarotti, Photographer: the fashion photography exhibition at the Musée des Arts Décoratifs — our photos
Fashion photography takes over the Musée des Arts Décoratifs with an exhibition devoted to Rafael Pavarotti. From October 2, 2026, to May 2, 2027, more than 200 color prints trace the Brazilian photographer's career for the first time in France and engage with the museum's photography collections. [Read more]
A free late-night opening at the Louvre Museum: the date of the next event to experience in November
Here's the smart move to take advantage of at the start of every month: the Louvre opens its doors free to all visitors on the first Friday of each month after 6 p.m. The next date to note is November 6, 2026. [Read more]
Salon des Beaux-Arts 2026: a new, free-to-attend edition at the Senate's Orangery
The 2026 Salon des Beaux-Arts settles into the Orangerie of the Senate in Paris’s 6th arrondissement. This free event runs in two sessions: September 18–22, and September 24–29, 2026. Here’s what to expect at this must-attend art gathering. [Read more]
Heritage Days 2026 in Paris and Île-de-France: dates and themes of this new edition
European Heritage Days are back for the weekend of September 19–20, 2026, marking its 43rd edition. In Paris and Île-de-France, the event offers free access to museums and palaces, venues opened especially for the occasion, quirky guided tours, and other engaging activities, centered on the themes "Heritage in Peril: Rekindle, Resist, Reimagine" and "Heritage of Photography." [Read more]
Paris Design Week 2026: the events, installations and exhibitions to discover before it ends
The Paris Design Week is coming to a close, with only a few days left to wander through installations, exhibitions and events scattered across the capital. [Read more]
Les Traversées du Marais 2026: Free cultural programming to experience this weekend in Paris
Les Traversées du Marais, the marquee cultural circuit that shines a spotlight on the Marais’ finest venues in Paris, is back this weekend, September 4–6, 2026. This year, around twenty iconic sites in the Parisian neighborhood are offering a host of free artistic events for everyone! [Read more]
Pop Art Car 2.0: a free exhibition blending pop art, design and digital culture on the Champs-Élysées
Sponsored - From September 24, 2026 to January 31, 2027, pop art car 2.0 takes over Renault’s showcase on the Champs-Élysées, at 53 Avenue des Champs-Élysées in Paris. With a mix of historical works, never-before-seen digital pieces and automobiles, this free exhibition brings together artists Sébastien Preschoux, Popay, Victor Vasarely and Julio Le Parc. Not to mention the all-new show car, the Renault 8 Gordini Concept, unveiled in a world premiere. [Read more]
Must-see art events in Paris in the coming days
Night tours, a photo festival, Heritage Days, a street-art event... No matter the season, art is always in fête in Paris! To make sure you don’t miss these major cultural happenings, follow our guide to Parisian artistic events. [Read more]
The Edgar Quinet Creation Market: a free, open-air art gallery
Sponsored - The Edgar-Quinet Creation Market invites you every Sunday in Paris's 14th arrondissement. Painting, sculpture, photography, engraving and ceramics. Every Sunday from 10:00 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. And what if your stroll led you to meet artists? [Read more]
Common Worlds: the Albert-Kahn Departmental Museum’s Contemporary Photography Festival.
From May 20 to September 20, 2026, the Albert-Kahn Departmental Museum shines a spotlight on contemporary photography for the new edition of its festival, Mondes en commun. [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]
Grand Palais Summer 2026: celebrations, performances and events, summer happenings at the Grand Palais
Summer in Paris is magical: case in point, the Grand Palais is unveiling a special, festive program from June 2 to September 6, 2026. Discover what awaits you! [Read more]
Just goes to show, back-to-school has its good points too! Take advantage of all these beautiful exhibitions, and the many other outings on offer around you.
What to do in Paris and Île-de-France in September 2027? The must-see outings of the autumn season.
What to do in Paris in September 2027? Events, exhibitions, performances, family outings, free deals and new releases: the definitive guide to the back-to-school season in Île-de-France. [Read more]
What to do in Paris and Île-de-France in September 2027? The must-see outings of the autumn season.
