Exhibition / Best of

Top exhibitions in Paris

La Rédaction Paris je t'aime - Updated on
Discover the best exhibitions in Paris now: paintings, photography, contemporary art and free exhibitions not to miss in 2026!

🎯Paris, capital of exhibitions

Art is the heartbeat of Paris, and top exhibitions are currently on show across the capital. Major retrospectives, and special exhibitions are showcasing contemporary works, classic masterpieces and unusual themes in iconic venues such as musée d'Orsay, the Louvre, the fondation Louis Vuitton, the Grand Palais, the musée de l'Orangerie, the Cinémathèque française as well as large-scale immersive installations like the Atelier des Lumières.

Free outdoor photo exhibitions on the railings of the Luxembourg Garden or Paris City Hall or in the alleys of Bercy Village also add to the current cultural offering. Around Beaubourg and Saint-Germain-des-Prés, as well as in the Belleville area, Parisian art galleries show free exhibitions that are popular with fans of contemporary or classical art, photography and sculpture.

La Caverne du Pont Neuf Paris, 2026 - Foule sur les quais au coucher du soleil

🔍Exclusive from 15 June 2026: La Caverne du Pont Neuf by artist JR

La Caverne du Pont Neuf, an XXL project conceived by French artist JR, transforms the Pont Neuf into a 120-metre-long urban cave. An immersive creation paying tribute to Christo and Jeanne-Claude, where contemporary art dialogues with Parisian heritage. Discover it for free from 15 to 28 June 2026!
👉 DISCOVER LA CAVERNE DU PONT NEUF

🌟The best exhibition in Paris right now: our top 20 picks🌟

🎯Our tips for a carefree visit to the latest exhibitions

Book your tickets online and in advance for the most popular exhibitions of the cultural season. Some cultural venues require advance booking with specific time slots. This is a great way to enjoy your visit and avoid queueing at the entrance. Opt for morning slots as soon as museums and monuments open, or late-night openings available on certain weekdays, such as at the Louvre, Musée d'Orsay, Musée d'Art Moderne de Paris, and the palais de Tokyo

BOOK CURRENT TOP EXHIBITIONST

🔍Check out the exhibition calendar to catch all the best shows in 2026

Paris offers a vast selection of temporary exhibitions in museums, monuments and art galleries, as well as in more unusual venues or outdoors in the city’s parks and streets. The calendar of major exhibitions for 2026 is a helpful source for planning a bespoke list of things to see during your stay in Paris. Think about booking ahead!
👉SEE THE 2026 EXHIBITIONS CALENDAR

❓Frequently asked questions

What are the best exhibitions to see in Paris right now?

Currently, there are some exceptional exhibitions showing in Paris, including the Renoir and Love retrospective at the Musée d'Orsay, the blockbuster exhibitions Matisse. 1941-1954 at the Grand Palais, and Henri Rousseau at the Musée de l'Orangerie. Not forgetting Leonora Carrington at the Musée du Luxembourg, Africa Fashion at the Musée du quai Branly - Jacques Chirac, Calder. Rêver en équilibre at the Fondation Louis Vuitton as well as the immersive experiences Renaissance: Da Vinci, Raphael, Michelangelo à at the Atelier des Lumières, Passion Japan, and The Legend of the Titanic: The Ultimate Exhibition at La Villette

What are the must-see exhibitions in Paris?

Major exhibitions showcasing the great masters of painting, renowned contemporary artists, and high-tech museum experiences are the highlights of the season. Some of them are eagerly anticipated by the public and can quickly draw large crowds.

Current major exhibitions Dates Venues
Calder. Rêver en équilibre from 15 April to 16 August 2026 Fondation Louis Vuitton
Renoir and love. Happy modernity (1865-1885) from 17 March to 19 July 2026 Musée d'Orsay
Matisse. 1941-1954 from 24 mMarch to 26 July 2026 Grand Palais
Henri Rousseau, the Ambition of Painting from 25 March to 20 July 2026 Musée de l'Orangerie
Leonora Carrington from 18 February to 19 July 2026 Musée du Luxembourg
Renaissance: Da Vinci, Raphael, Michelangelo Since 13 March 2026 Atelier des Lumières
Marilyn Monroe from 8 April to 26 July 2026 Cinémathèque française
Lee Miller from 10 April to 2 August 2026 Musée d'Art moderne de Paris
Michelangelo and Rodin. Living bodies from 15 April to 20 Julyt 2026 Musée du Louvre

How much time should I allow to visit an exhibition?

A visit to an exhibition usually takes between 1hr30 and 2 hours, depending on the size of the event and how long you want to spend there. Major retrospectives and special exhibitions in large museums, and immersive exhibitions may sometimes take longer due to high visitor numbers.

Which museums in Paris have temporary exhibitions?

Major museums like the Louvre, Musée d'Orsay and Musée du quai Branly - Jacques Chirac,the major contemporary art venues in Paris such as fondation Louis Vuitton and the Fondation Cartier pour l'art contemporain organise prestigious temporary exhibitions. The Bourse de Commerce - Collection Pinault, Musée Picasso, and city of Paris museums such as the Petit Palais, and musée Carnavalet - Histoire de Paris also present a rich programme of temporary exhibitions throughout the year.

Photo trails, collections and galleries: where to see free exhibitions in Paris

Paris has a wealth of cultural attractions for everyone to enjoy, and you don't have to spend a fortune to discover art. The streets of Paris take on the appearance of open-air galleries, with high-quality exhibitions that are free to visit along the railings of the Luxembourg Gardens and Paris City Hall or in Bercy Village which regularly shows photographs in large-scale format. Some Parisian museums such as the Musée d'Art Moderne de Paris, and the Petit Palais offer free admission to their permanent collections, and many contemporary art galleries also offer free admission to exhibitions in the Marais, Saint-Germain-des-Prés...

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