Painting, sculpture, video, installation... In May, admire what you like! The museums, art galleries, monuments and châteaux of Paris and the Île-de-France region have some great exhibitions on show for you to enjoy.
What a pleasure it is to be able to take part in all these cultural outings, in sunny Paris (the editors are not responsible for bad weather), in the beautiful museums and art galleries of the capital and the Île-de-France region! And since May is often a time of long weekends and public holidays, we've got all the time in the world to visit these exhibitions!
All that's left is to choose your next cultural outing from our selection below. So, where do we start?
Byblos, a millennia-old city in Lebanon: the historic exhibition at the Arab World Institute
The Arab World Institute takes us on a journey back in time to explore what was once the world’s first international seaport, around 9,000 years ago. The exhibition Byblos, a Millennia-Old Libyan City is open from March 24 to August 23, 2026. [Read more]
The Legend of the Titanic: An immersive exhibit featuring virtual reality and period artifacts at La Villette
Starting March 31, 2026, La Villette will host an immersive, 3,000-square-meter exhibition dedicated to the Titanic. Visitors can explore a rich collection of historic artifacts, step into reconstructions of the ship’s salons, and experience virtual reality adventures — all designed to bring the legendary voyage of the ocean liner as close as possible to the passengers who lived it. [Read more]
Passion Japan: an immersive exhibition that transports you straight to Japan without leaving La Villette in Paris
Craving a trip to Japan without leaving Paris? From March 19 to August 23, 2026, Passion Japon transports you from the timeless streets of Kyoto and the bustling energy of Tokyo to serene Zen gardens—all set inside the Espace Chapiteaux at La Villette. Samurais, tea ceremonies, manga, fashion, and cuisine come to life in an immersive exhibition that awakens all your senses. [Read more]
K-Beauty at the Guimet Museum: A Major Exhibition on South Korea’s Beauty Secrets to Visit This Spring
The Guimet Museum hosts a major exhibition celebrating Korean beauty, delving into its influences and many facets. K-Beauty is open to visitors from March 18 to July 6, 2026. [Read more]
Renaissance: Da Vinci, Raphael, Michelangelo — the groundbreaking immersive exhibition at the Atelier des Lumières
The Atelier des Lumières takes us on a journey through the works of the great masters of the Renaissance, hosting an immersive exhibition that visitors can experience from March 13 to June 28, 2026. [Read more]
The splendors of Baroque: The Jacquemart-André Museum's Spring Exhibition
The Jacquemart-André Museum is taking visitors on a journey through Hispanic Baroque art, from March 26 to August 2, 2026. Don't miss the exhibition "Splendors of the Baroque." [Read more]
Revealing femininity, fashion, and appearance in the 18th century: the exhibition on self-image at the Cognacq-Jay Museum
The Cognacq-Jay Museum delves into the myriad portrayals of women in the 18th century with a captivating exhibition: "Women in the Mirror, Appearances and Imaginaries". The show runs from March 25 to September 20, 2026. [Read more]
Fashion in the 18th century, a fantasized heritage: an exhibition on the Age of Enlightenment at the Palais Galliera
The Palais Galliera celebrates the elegance of women's fashion in the Age of Enlightenment with the exhibition "Fashion in the 18th Century: A Fantasized Legacy," from March 14 to July 12, 2026, taking visitors on a journey through time to the heart of yesterday's and today's creations. [Read more]
Henri Rousseau, the ambition of painting: an exhibition on the Douanier at the Musée de l'Orangerie
The Musée de l'Orangerie is honoring Henri Rousseau, the famous naïve painter, with the exhibition "Henri Rousseau, l'ambition de la peinture" (Henri Rousseau, the ambition of painting), which can be seen from March 25 to July 20, 2026. [Read more]
Faces of Artists at the Petit Palais: a painting exhibition not to be missed
The Petit Palais is highlighting some of the masterpieces in its collections with the exhibition Visages d'artistes. De Gustave Courbet à Annette Messager (Faces of Artists: From Gustave Courbet to Annette Messager), on view from March 17 to July 19, 2026. [Read more]
Africa Fashion: a colorful fashion exhibition at the Quai Branly Museum
The Quai Branly Museum takes us on a journey of discovery through traditional and contemporary fashion in Africa, with a major exhibition to be held from March 31 to July 12, 2026. [Read more]
Unicorn!: the Musée de Cluny's major exhibition explores the myth of the legendary creature.
The Cluny Museum in Paris is hosting “Unicorn!”, a major exhibition dedicated to the legendary mythical creature, running from March 10 to July 12, 2026. Through around a hundred works from across the globe, visitors can explore the history, symbolism, and centuries-old fascination with the unicorn — blending art, legend, and spirituality. [Read more]
Clair-obscur: an exhibition of light and shade at the Bourse de Commerce
From March 4 to August 31, 2026, the Bourse de Commerce will be transformed into a luminous, twilight landscape for a new exhibition entitled "Clair-obscur". [Read more]
Matisse, 1941-1954: the exhibition on the painter's last years at the Grand Palais
The Grand Palais and the Centre Pompidou are showcasing a new exhibition exploring Matisse’s final years of life and artistic innovation. This compelling showcase is open at the Grand Palais from March 24 to July 26, 2026. [Read more]
Renoir and love: the retrospective exhibition at the Musée d'Orsay, Paris
When love becomes light, Renoir turns it into art. With the exhibition "Renoir et l'amour" (March 17 - July 19, 2026), the Musée d'Orsay brings together his major masterpieces for a retrospective as modern as it is tender, in collaboration with the National Gallery in London and the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston. [Read more]
Le Paradox Museum Paris unveils five new immersive experiences alongside a Hans & Gretel Café
Paradox Museum offers nearly a hundred immersive experiences—from trompe-l'œil illusions and optical tricks to sensory overhauls—that await visitors in Paris. Get ready to be tricked and to snap surreal photos. Five new interactive installations have just been added to the journey, making it the perfect time to challenge your senses! And as a bonus, a brand-new, ultra-delicious café, Hans & Gretel, is ready to tempt you. [Read more]
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]
The Museum of Illusions in Paris: the must-visit spot for this winter!
Sponsored - The Museum of Illusions, located in the heart of Paris's 1st arrondissement near Châtelet-Les Halles, is the perfect spot for family outings or outings with friends. Get ready for a one-of-a-kind, immersive experience as you explore the captivating world of illusions, where your senses will be completely challenged... And there's more exciting news: starting February 6th, the museum will be opening its doors for evening sessions. [Read more]
All-Inclusive Exhibition: Photographer Kourtney Roy and Citéco question tourism through our photos
With her vintage aesthetic and striking photographs, artist Kourtney Roy humorously highlights the contradictions of global tourism. Don't miss the exhibition All Inclusive, running from February 20 to September 20, 2026, at the City of Economy. [Read more]
A Day in the 18th Century: An Immersive Exhibition in a Parisian Townhouse at MAD
The Museum of Decorative Arts in Paris transports visitors back to the 18th century, offering an immersive experience through the exhibition "A Day in the 18th Century." Explore a French private mansion and step into the past from February 18th to July 5th, 2026. [Read more]
Salomé Exhibition: Henner and Moreau Confront the Myth — An Artistic Dialogue at the Jean-Jacques Henner Museum
The Jean-Jacques Henner Museum brings together two painters in a captivating dialogue with its latest exhibition, "Salomé. Henner and Moreau Confront the Myth," running from February 18 to June 22, 2026. [Read more]
Dalí x Rubinstein, Illusions croisées: an original dialogue in the heart of Montmartre
Sponsored - Located in Montmartre, the mecca of Parisian artistic creation, Dalí Paris has been home to the largest private collection dedicated to Salvador Dalí for over thirty years. More than 300 works, brought together by collector and gallery owner Beniamino Levi, reveal the rich universe of the master of surrealism. Sculptures, engravings, oil paintings, drawings, and watercolors testify to the richness of his inspirations, from science to alchemy, through Antiquity, the Renaissance, and religion. [Read more]
Blurred Boundaries: The Immersive Exhibit at the Frigos in Paris
Sponsored - The exhibition Zone de Flou immerses visitors in a captivating artistic experience at the Frigos de Paris, exploring the spectrum from the visible to the invisible, from reality to fiction. Join us for the closing evening of ZONE DE FLOU on Saturday, February 28th, starting at 6 p.m., at the Frigos de Paris. [Read more]
Codex on the Rocks: From Street Art to the Mineralogy Museum at the École des Mines de Paris – our photos
For the first time ever, street art takes center stage at the Museum of Mineralogy at the École des Mines in Paris! From January 29 to June 27, 2026, visitors will have the chance to explore the rebellious and fantastical works of urban artist Codex Urbanus, scattered throughout this renowned institution in the 6th arrondissement. [Read more]
Saint-Cloud in the clouds: Free exhibition and flight simulator at the Avelines Museum
From February 12 to July 5, 2026, the Avelines Museum will take us soaring into the skies with a free exhibition exploring Saint-Cloud's pivotal role in aviation history — featuring historic archives alongside a flight simulator! [Read more]
ZEUS, the iconic metal horse from the Olympics, on display for free at the Museum of Arts and Crafts in Paris
Zeus, the mechanical horse from the Olympic Games that captured everyone's hearts, has now arrived at the Musée des Arts et Métiers in Paris. The towering steel colossus is open to the public free of charge from December 17, 2025, to January 10, 2027. [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]
Clovis’s World: The Interactive Exhibition Where You’re the Hero at the Val d’Oise Archaeological Museum
The Val d'Oise Archaeological Museum invites you to step into a historic journey — an interactive adventure where you become the hero, tracing the footsteps of King Clovis. Running from February 14 to November 1, 2026, this immersive and highly engaging exhibition promises an unforgettable experience. [Read more]
Eggstraordinary: chocolatiers and artists celebrate the egg in an exhibition at the Joseph Gallery
Here's a unique exhibition to explore this Easter season. From April 3 to May 3, 2026, at the Joseph Gallery, master pastry chefs, chocolatiers, and artists come together to celebrate the egg and its symbols through the free event Eggxtraordinaire. [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]
Cling! Comics speak cash: the Monnaie de Paris dives into comics with a unique exhibition
The Monnaie de Paris is exploring money in comics with a unique exhibition entitled Cling! Comics talk cash. On display from April 10 to September 6, 2026. [Read more]
Imaginary maps, inventing worlds: the sensory exhibition at the BnF François-Mitterrand
From March 24 to July 19, 2026, the BnF François-Mitterrand is offering a rare immersion into cartography and its imaginary territories, through more than 200 works, for a journey to the frontiers of reality and fiction. [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]
Zoo Art Show: the huge temporary street art museum in Paris La Défense - extended
4,000 m² dedicated to street art, spread over four floors of a building located on the forecourt of Paris La Défense. That's what awaits you at the Zoo Art Show, described as an immersive museum of urban arts. For the occasion, works by more than 500 artists are on display. Find out more about the Zoo Art Show in Paris La Défense, open to the general public since June 7, 2025. Due to its success, the Zoo Art Show has been extended until June 2026. [Read more]
Jean Dubuffet and the Tour aux Figures: an unusual exhibition at the Playing Card Museum
The French Playing Card Museum invites us to discover Jean Dubuffet's unusual work with an exhibition running from December 3, 2025, to June 28, 2026. [Read more]
Jardiner: an exhibition at the heart of nature at the Cité des Sciences et de l'Industrie
Reconnect with nature and enjoy an exhibition that stimulates all our senses at the Cité des Sciences: from October 14, 2025 to July 12, 2026, take a stroll through the "Jardiner" exhibition. [Read more]
Flops?! Dare, fail, innovate: the funny exhibition unveiled at the Musée des Arts et Métiers
The Musée des Arts et Métiers takes a look at failure and its necessity in the world of invention, with the amusing exhibition "Flops. Oser, rater, innover", presented from October 14, 2025 to May 17, 2026. [Read more]
Fables Immersives: an immersive journey to the heart of La Fontaine's Fables near the Champs-Elysées
An immersive experience that brings Jean de La Fontaine's famous fables to life, that's the promise of "Fables Immersives". This cultural journey awaits us from September 6, 2025, in the 8th arrondissement of Paris, not far from the famous Champs-Elysées avenue. [Read more]
Dans la Seine: the exhibition at the Crypte archéologique reveals the objects found in the Seine
The Crypte Archéologique presents an exhibition that's as curious as it is amusing, revealing objects found in the Seine, from prehistory to the present day. Visit this unique exhibition from January 31, 2024, to January 4, 2026. [Read more]
The Hangar Y's contemporary open-air exhibition is back! An artistic stroll in the green
The Hangar Y, which conceals a 10-hectare natural area planted with trees, offers a year-round open-air art walk, free on weekdays and €3 with access to the Hangar on weekends. Since April 28, 2025, new works have been added to the circuit. From Erwin Wurm and Lionel Sabatte to Pauline Tralongo and Odile Decq, it's time for an unusual, unplugged stroll through the heart of the Hauts-de-Seine. [Read more]
Pop Central: the museum of cult cars from vintage films and video games just a stone's throw from Paris
Who hasn't dreamed of getting behind the wheel of the Batmobile or reliving the atmosphere of the arcades of the 90s? In Étréchy (91), the Pop Central Museum awaits you on Wednesdays, Fridays and weekends, for a total immersion in pop culture, with legendary movie cars and vintage arcade machines galore. [Read more]
LV Dream by Louis Vuitton: free exhibition, boutique, café and chocolate shop
The famous Maison Louis Vuitton opens LV DREAM, a free exhibition and gift store that also features a café and a chocolate shop in collaboration with Chef Pâtissier Maxime Frédéric of Cheval Blanc Paris. While the exhibition is by reservation only, the boutique and café are open to the public. [Read more]
Musée Grévin in Paris: Luc Plamondon joins the collection of illustrious figures
Discover Luc Plamondon, the iconic lyricist, now immortalized in wax at the Musée Grévin to mark the 25th anniversary of Notre Dame de Paris. [Read more]
Europa Expérience, an immersive exhibition on the European Union
Europa Experience is a unique interactive space on the European Union situated in the heart of Paris, in front of the famous Madeleine church. This 1500m2 permanent exhibition about the European Union, spread over three floors has a main goal: providing visitors with an immersive, interactive and enriching experience. Through a multimedia journey with enhanced reality activities and a 360° cinema, you travel to the four corners of the EU... from Paris. [Read more]
Le Corbusier in Boulogne: visit the apartment-studio of the famous French architect
The Fondation Le Corbusier offers unique tours of the famous French architect's apartment-studio, located in the Molitor building on the Boulogne-Paris border, to perpetuate the eternal influence of this visionary genius. [Read more]
Silent Storytellers: Female Sculptors Share Their Journeys in a New Exhibition at Espace Monte-Cristo
The Monte-Cristo Space will host several female sculptors from April 18 to December 13, 2026, offering free access to the exhibition titled "Speakers of Silence." [Read more]
The language of the walls: China's stamped artworks displayed at the Museum of Decorative Arts
The Museum of Decorative Arts presents "The Language of Walls" from March 18 to June 28, 2026, an exhibition focused on the art of stamping. It brings together 19th-century Chinese pieces with contemporary imprints, all created directly on the stones of Notre-Dame de Paris during its restoration. [Read more]
Cathy de Monchaux at the Palais de Tokyo: a groundbreaking, thought-provoking retrospective in Paris
The Palais de Tokyo in Paris is hosting France’s first retrospective of British artist Cathy de Monchaux, running from April 3 to September 13, 2026. Showcasing nearly fifty works, the exhibition spans four decades of her creative journey, exploring themes of the human body, materials, and emotive storytelling. [Read more]
Michelangelo / Rodin: A Unique Face-Off of Sculptors at the Louvre Museum
The Louvre Museum brings together two legendary sculptors in an extraordinary exhibition: from April 15 to July 2, 2026, don't miss "Michelangelo / Rodin". [Read more]
Sèvres, a Rothschild Passion: An Immersive Porcelain Exhibition at the National Furniture Museum
From April 17 to July 26, 2026, the Mobilier National and the Sèvres Manufacture will unveil the Rothschild family’s passionate collection of 18th-century porcelain. The exhibition promises an immersive experience, blending masterpieces with detailed reconstructions. [Read more]
Calder. Dreaming in Equilibrium: The Retrospective Exhibition of the Sculptor at the Fondation Louis Vuitton
For its upcoming exhibition, the Fondation Louis Vuitton will celebrate Alexander Calder with "Calder. Dreaming in Equilibrium" a remarkable retrospective running from April 15 to August 16, 2026. The show will feature nearly 300 works, including mobiles, stabile sculptures, and jewelry brought to life. In the striking architectural spaces designed by Frank Gehry, art will no longer be static... it will pulsate, sway, and dream gracefully in perfect balance. [Read more]
Did you know? There is another Rodin Museum ... and it's hidden away in Meudon, in the heart of the 92 region!
Just a stone's throw from Paris, there's another Rodin museum just around the corner... and it's no Plan B! Nestled in Meudon, in a verdant setting in the Hauts-de-Seine department (92), this confidential site plunges you into the world of the sculptor with striking authenticity. House, workshop, park... everything you need to rediscover Rodin in a different way - free of charge, without reservation and in the heart of nature, every weekend until the end of September. [Read more]
The Musée de la Sculpture en plein air: a free art walk in the heart of Paris
Have you heard of the Musée de la Sculpture en plein air? Located in the Square Tino Rossi in the 5th arrondissement, this small museum offers a free cultural stroll along the banks of the Seine, in a magnificent bucolic setting. [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]
BLEU FUTUR Exhibition by RASSIM® at the Bulgarian Cultural Center
Sponsored - The Bulgarian Cultural Institute presents in Paris the debut of RASSIM®’s daring and experimental artistic universe. [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]
Open Shapes: Free Exhibition Showcasing Geometric Abstract Art at the Swedish Institute
Geometric abstract art takes center stage at the Swedish Institute from February 20 to July 19, 2026. Over five months, visitors are invited to explore free of charge "Formes ouvertes", an installation that bridges the works of Olle Bærtling—an essential figure in abstract art—with those of seven talented international artists. [Read more]
Me and Others: An Exhibition Exploring Our Digital Lives at the EDF Foundation
Contemporary artists are delving into our digital lives and identities through the exhibition Me and Others, showcased free of charge at the EDF Foundation from March 13 to September 27, 2026. [Read more]
Brion Gysin, the Last Museum: A Retrospective Exhibition at the Musée d'Art Moderne in Paris
The City of Paris's Museum of Modern Art is hosting the first-ever retrospective exhibition of artist Brion Gysin. Open to the public from April 10 to July 12, 2026. [Read more]
Joseph Grigely at the Palais de Tokyo: An Exhibition Exploring Accessibility in Cultural Spaces
The deaf artist Joseph Grigely takes over a difficult-to-access space at the Palais de Tokyo in Paris with his exhibition "Nous en sommes là – This is where we are". This thought-provoking show explores architectural accessibility within cultural institutions through a combination of visual works and a risograph publication. Running from April 3 to September 13, 2026, it challenges visitors to reconsider how our environments are designed and experienced. [Read more]
Cheryl Marie Wade at the Palais de Tokyo: An immersive experience into crip culture and activist poetry
The Palais de Tokyo is hosting a groundbreaking group exhibition centered on the poetry of Cheryl Marie Wade, a prominent figure in Berkeley’s crip art scene, from April 3 to September 13, 2026. Featuring archival footage, performances, and installations, the show aims to breathe new life into a marginalized artistic voice that bridges poetry, activism, and the remembrance of disability. [Read more]
Pauline Curnier Jardin at Palais de Tokyo: An Exhibition Exploring Myths and Social Norms
The Palais de Tokyo in Paris is showcasing a comprehensive solo exhibition dedicated to Pauline Curnier Jardin, a French artist known for her immersive works that delve into rituals, gender, and body representations through installations, films, and performances. Running from April 3 to September 13, 2026, this expansive exhibition is conceived as a fragmented, sensory journey. It features both key works and new commissions, created in collaboration with the Museo Reina Sofía in Madrid. [Read more]
Benoît Piéron at the Palais de Tokyo: an exhibition exploring themes of care, vulnerability, and imagination
The Palais de Tokyo in Paris is hosting a retrospective dedicated to contemporary artist Benoît Piéron, focusing on sculptures and installations inspired by the hospital environment. Running from April 3 to September 13, 2026, the exhibition delves into themes of care, waiting, and fragility through works that blend medical aesthetics, sensory experiences, and reflections on vulnerability as a universal condition. [Read more]
Jesse Darling at the Palais de Tokyo: an immersive exhibition blending ruins with forgotten stories
The Palais de Tokyo in Paris is hosting an immersive exhibition by British artist Jesse Darling, the winner of the 2023 Turner Prize. The show is open from April 3rd to September 13th, 2026. Through monumental installations crafted from discarded materials and everyday objects, the artist explores the fragile foundations of the structures that shape our lives. [Read more]
Henry Taylor at the Picasso Museum Paris: A Contemporary American Painting Exhibition
The Picasso Museum in Paris is hosting an exhibition dedicated to Henry Taylor, the acclaimed American contemporary painter, featuring a collection of portraits and works that explore collective memory and references to Picasso. Running from April 8th to September 6th, 2026, the exhibition is carefully curated in collaboration with the artist himself and is accessible to visitors at the Parisian museum. [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]
Nan Goldin at the Grand Palais: This Won't End Well — An Exhibition Blurring the Lines Between Photography and Film
The Grand Palais hosts This Will Not End Well, the first French retrospective of Nan Goldin, from March 18 to June 21, 2026. The exhibition presents her cinematic slideshows within an immersive installation designed to resemble a village of images. [Read more]
Colors of Korea: free contemporary art exhibition at the Korean Cultural Center in Paris, photos
The Korean Cultural Center unveils the exhibition "Couleurs de Corée, Lumière sur l'art contemporain coréen", on the occasion of the 140th anniversary of diplomatic relations between France and Korea, from October 24, 2025 to August 29, 2026. This free exhibition presents a unique immersion in Korean art, illustrating the work of 34 artists who blend tradition and innovation through the power of color. [Read more]
General Exhibition: the Fondation Cartier recounts 40 years of exhibitions for its reopening
The Fondation Cartier pour l'art contemporain is reopening its doors in a new location in the heart of Paris with a new exhibition: from October 25, 2025, to August 23, 2026, discover the General Exhibition. [Read more]
Contemporary art exhibitions in Paris: Diego Marcon and Ladji Diaby at Lafayette Anticipations
Lafayette Anticipations is hosting two contemporary art exhibitions in Paris from April 1 to July 19, 2026, featuring the cinematic universe of Diego Marcon and the emerging scene embodied by Ladji Diaby. A double rendez-vous focusing on images, narration and artistic emotions. [Read more]
Voir la mer: a free contemporary exhibition at the Maif Social Club - photos
Contemporary artists draw inspiration from the oceans to create original works, sometimes amusing, sometimes disturbing... Come and discover the Voir la mer exhibition, presented at the Maif Social Club from October 11, 2025 to July 25, 2026. [Read more]
L'Étoffe des Rêves, the exhibition at Halle Saint-Pierre
From September 12, 2025 to July 31, 2026, La Halle Saint Pierre presents "L'étoffe des rêves", a groundbreaking exhibition featuring 36 artists and over 300 textile works ranging from art brut to surrealism and poetic experimentation. [Read more]
Benin, back and forth: the exhibition at the Musée Albert-Kahn
The Musée départemental Albert-Kahn, Boulogne-Billancourt, invites you to discover the exhibition "Bénin, aller-retour", from October 14, 2025 to June 14, 2026. An immersive dive into the heart of historic Dahomey, featuring rare photographs, ethnographic films and the work of contemporary artists. [Read more]
The world brought to life in vibrant hues: classic photographs displayed at the Roger-Viollet Gallery
The Roger-Viollet Gallery unveils a curated selection of 19th-century photographs, hand-colored to enhance their detail, in a free exhibition running from February 26 to June 6, 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]
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]
Kazuo Kitai, Celebrating the Everyday: A Photography Exhibition at the Japan Culture House
In spring 2026, the Japan House in Paris will showcase the work of Kazuo Kitai, celebrated as one of Japan’s foremost post-war photographers. Titled "Kazuo Kitai, Celebrating Everyday Life," the exhibition will feature 130 prints that visitors can view from April 30 to July 25, 2026. [Read more]
Gallery of the Five Continents: opening of a new exhibition space at the Louvre Museum
From December 3, 2025, the Gallery of the Five Continents will be open to visitors at the Louvre Museum, offering an opportunity to admire works from Africa, the Americas, Asia, Europe, and Oceania, in a journey that reveals the diversity and dialogue of human creativity across the globe. [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]
MIDAN, a naive art museum nestled in a country house in Vicq (78)
The Musée international d'art naïf d'île-de-France (MIDAN) is located in Vicq, a small town in the Yvelines department of France, a cultural venue dedicated to a little-known yet very rich artistic movement. [Read more]
Mission spatiale, the new permanent exhibition in the stars at the Cité des sciences
Take a trip into space from October 23, 2023 at the Cité des sciences et de l'industrie, with a new permanent exhibition on the conquest of space. [Read more]
Captivating Time: Van Cleef & Arpels' Free Watchmaking Exhibition at the Heritage Gallery
Time is on full display with all its seconds and minutes. At the Galerie du Patrimoine, Van Cleef & Arpels presents a horological showcase titled "Enchanting Time," a free jewelry exhibition running from January 16 to June 1, 2026, in Place Vendôme, Paris. [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]
A double fashion showcase at the Dior Gallery and the Azzedine Alaïa Foundation in Paris – our photos
The Dior Gallery will open its doors from November 20, 2025, to May 3, 2026, for a groundbreaking exhibition showcasing over a hundred pieces collected by Azzedine Alaïa. This display is part of a dual exhibition, extended at the Azzedine Alaïa Foundation from December 1, 2025, to May 24, 2026, highlighting the dialogue between Dior and Alaïa and revealing the Tunisian designer’s admiration for the New Look. [Read more]
Weaving, embroidering, sublimating: fashion know-how on show at the heart of the Palais Galliera
The Palais Galliera invites you to explore the craftsmanship behind fashion in its latest exhibition, showcasing techniques of adornment—from embroidery to weaving—from December 13, 2025, to October 18, 2026. [Read more]
Chez Worth, the origins of haute couture: the fashion and archive exhibition at the MUS in Suresnes
Charles Frederick Worth, the father of haute couture, is invited to the MUS de Suresnes from October 15, 2025 to June 21, 2026 for a tailor-made exhibition. Over one hundred works, ball gowns, sumptuous costumes and never-before-seen accessories from 15 institutions and private collections, immerse visitors in the elegance of the Second Empire. Rare documents, personal objects and family mementos also reveal the man behind the couturier, for a complete immersion in his world. [Read more]
Free exhibitions to visit in May 2026 in Paris and the Île-de-France region
What free exhibitions await us in May 2026 in Paris and the Île-de-France region? We'll be glad to tell you all about this spring's cultural highlights in the capital! Here are the free exhibitions! [Read more]
The sun is shining, the museums are full of treasures, in short: life is good in Paris! Make the most of it and treat yourself to all the things to do this month.
Dates and Opening Time
From May 1, 2026 to May 31, 2026
Free exhibitions to visit in May 2026 in Paris and the Île-de-France region
