Exhibition / Festival / Music / Show

France-Korea 2026: a historic celebration of art and culture

From 1 January to 31 December 2026

In 2026, France and Korea celebrate their friendship. A major cultural program unfolds between Seoul and Greater Paris

Established by the 1886 Treaty of Friendship, relations between France and the Republic of Korea are reaching a historic milestone. To mark this anniversary, the year 2026 will feature a series of prestigious events celebrating the artistic exchanges and craftsmanship of both nations. In the Greater Paris area, the most prestigious institutions are joining in this celebration: the Guimet Museum, the Musée des Arts et Métiers, the Manufacture de Sèvres, and the Perrotin Gallery are lending historic pieces of imperial craftsmanship. The Korean Cultural Center and the embassy are organizing a rich program—including an exhibition titled “Colors of Korea” at the Korean Cultural Center, featuring dozens of contemporary Korean artists through August 29, 2026—that blends digital arts, cinema, and gastronomy. In the heart of the capital, the general public will also be swept up in the excitement of the Heemang Festival on the Pont Saint-Louis on July 4 and 5, 2026, a major, free festival celebrating the richness of Korean culture. This is a unique opportunity to discover a forward-looking strategic partnership, illustrated by the official poster inspired by “chaekgeori” (traditional Korean pictorial art).

📌 The Heemang Festival: a celebration of Korean culture in the heart of Paris

For its third edition, the Heemang Festival is taking over an iconic venue in the centre of the capital: the Pont Saint-Louis, situated between the Île de la Cité and the Île Saint-Louis. Taking place on 4 and 5 July 2026, this entirely free event forms part of the celebrations marking the 140th anniversary of diplomatic relations between France and Korea. A true cultural showcase open to all, the festival brilliantly brings together age-old traditions and modernity. Designed as a space for meeting and sharing, it brings together numerous craftspeople, creators, organisations and enthusiasts to offer a complete and comprehensive immersion in the Korean world:

  • Gastronomy & Lifestyle: dedicated areas to savour Korean culinary specialities and discover the latest trends in K-Beauty
  • Pop Culture & Traditions: a vibrant showcase of K-Pop and the creative industries (cinema, TV series), alongside demonstrations of traditional arts, music and sporting activities
  • Crafts & Literature: exhibition stands where visitors can discover the country’s artisanal skills and rich literary heritage

Whether you’re a long-time fan of Hallyu (the Korean wave), a foodie, or simply a curious passer-by looking for a cultural and family-friendly day out, the Heemang Festival is the unmissable Korean event of the summer in Paris.

  • Dates: Saturday 4 and Sunday 5 July 2026
  • Venue: Pont Saint-Louis, 75004 Paris (between the Île de la Cité and the Île Saint-Louis)
  • Admission: free, open to all

📌The exhibition ‘Colours of Korea: Spotlight on Contemporary Korean Art’

As part of the 140th anniversary celebrations, the exhibition Colours of Korea offers a fascinating insight into contemporary art on the peninsula. Through a selection of previously unseen works, this exhibition explores the richness of colour and the diversity of forms in contemporary Korean art. Between a reinterpretation of tradition and bold modernity, visitors are invited to discover how today’s artists use space and light to tell the story of Korea’s past and future. A moment suspended in time, ideal for capturing the full vitality of this artistic scene, currently buzzing with activity in the heart of Greater Paris.

  • Korean Cultural Centre: 20 Rue La Boétie, Paris 8th arrondissement - Tel.: +33 (0) 1 47 20 84 15 - Email: [email protected]
  • Until 29 August 2026
  • Free

💡 Did you know?

The event poster was designed by Ariane Darpy, a young French artist and graduate of the Beaux-Arts. She has modernised the traditional chaekgeori design to incorporate symbols of both countries, such as culinary heritage and industrial innovations.

📌 The exhibition ‘K-Beauty: Korean Beauty, the Story of a Phenomenon’

As part of the 140th anniversary celebrations, the K-Beauty exhibition explores the rituals and aesthetics of the peninsula, from the Three Kingdoms period to the present day. Through a selection of precious artefacts and contemporary creations, this exhibition deciphers the codes of a phenomenon that has gone global. Between ancestral beauty secrets and technological innovations, visitors discover how self-care reflects the evolution of Korean society. A captivating and sensory journey to understand the history and cultural influence of this way of life in the heart of Greater Paris.

Korean Cultural Centre: 20 rue La Boétie, Paris 8th arrondissement - Tel: +33 (0) 1 47 20 84 15 - Email: [email protected]
https://kr.ambafrance-culture.org/140ans/
All public

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