Craving a proper dose of art? No matter the season, Paris serves up a banquet of exhibitions so rich and varied it can be hard to know where to tuck in. But thankfully, you’ve got us on hand to help.
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We’ve roamed the city to handpick the crème de la crème of exhibitions on display right now – whether you’re into painting, photography, contemporary art, sculpture, or design, there’s something on this list for you. Here are the very best exhibitions on in Paris right now.
Following their deep dive into the link between Impressionism and abstraction, the Orangerie is now exploring what happens when things get a little… blurry. Inspired by Monet’s late masterpieces, the show journeys from the 1940s to today, demonstrating how artists have embraced visual ambiguity, abstraction, and indistinct forms to create emotion and tension. The exhibition opens with a quote from Grégoire Bouillier’s novel The Orangerie Syndrome: ‘In truth, we see nothing. Nothing precise. Nothing definite. One must constantly readjust one’s sight.’ And that’s exactly what this show makes you do – look again, and again.
Where? Musée de l’Orangerie
When? Until August 18 2025
We all know Matisse as a heavyweight of twentieth-century art, but how well do we know Marguerite? More than just a muse, she was an essential emotional and artistic presence in his life – and this beautifully curated exhibition finally gives her the spotlight. With over 100 works, including portraits, sketches, sculptures, and intimate archival materials, this show paints a vivid portrait of a deep and complex father-daughter bond. It’s about love, creativity, and the quiet power of presence.
Where? Musée d’Art Moderne de Paris
When? Until August 24 2025
Let’s be honest: David Hockney doesn’t need much of an introduction, but even for superfans of this British icon, this exhibition is quite something. Not only is it the largest Hockney retrospective to date, with over 400 works spread across the entire Fondation Louis Vuitton, but the man himself was deeply involved in every aspect of its curation, from theme to layout. The epic, career-spanning exhibition journeys all the way from the 1960s to Hockney’s latest digital experiments, so if you only go to one show this spring, make it this one. It’s bold, brilliant, and very, very Hockney.
Where? Fondation Louis Vuitton
When? Until August 31 2025
You might know Agnès Varda as a Nouvelle Vague pioneer, filmmaker, feminist icon, and general queen of cool. But before the camera rolled, she was behind another kind of lens – as a professional photographer, trained and certified, with a practice that started even before her first films. This exhibition explores the Paris captured by Varda’s camera from the 1950s onward: her neighbours, her streets, her studio. It’s a tender and powerful tribute to a city she loved.
Where? Musée Carnavalet
When? Until August 24 2025
The Kiss by the Hôtel de Ville is a career-defining image, but Robert Doisneau was so much more than one iconic snap, and that’s exactly what this rich, personal exhibition proves. Curated in part by his daughters Francine Deroudille and Annette Doisneau, the show reveals a man driven not just by aesthetics, but by empathy. It draws from a staggering archive of over 450,000 negatives, not just showing us Doisneau’s images but sharing the way he saw people. Expect warmth, wit, and moments of unfiltered humanity.
Where? Musée Maillol
When? Until October 12 2025
Before designer collabs were all over Instagram, they were rare, risky, and revolutionary. Case in point: Azzedine Alaïa quietly created pieces for Thierry Mugler in the late 1970s, and this show traces their creative crossover, starting with the unforgettable tuxedo designs from Mugler’s 1979-80 collection. It’s a love letter to craftsmanship, mentorship, and the kind of fashion storytelling that shaped an era. Tucked inside the Fondation Alaïa, this show is a must for couture lovers and fashion nerds alike.
Where? Fondation Azzedine Alaïa
When? Until June 29 2025
Sure, wax fabrics are striking and vibrant — but they’re also deeply political. This thoughtful, two-level exhibition dives into the colonial, cultural, and economic history behind one of Africa’s most iconic textiles. All part of the museum’s ‘Migrations’ season, WAX uncovers how this cloth became a symbol of identity and resistance across continents, featuring contemporary works, fashion, and archival material. It’s a reminder that behind every pattern is a story worth telling.
Where? Musée de l’Homme
When? Until September 7 2025
Forget trendy, bulky chains – gold has been a fashion staple since the dawn of civilisation, and this dazzling exhibition explores humanity’s obsession with golden garments, all the way from ancient Mesopotamia to Japan’s Edo period. Over-the-top? Absolutely. But it’s also deeply researched and incredibly, well, rich. Expect robes woven with gold threads, religious vestments, ceremonial wear, and pieces that truly shimmer with spiritual – and literal – weight.
Where? Musée du Quai Branly
When? Until July 6 2025
The idea? Disco meets installation art. The execution? A bit hazy, but it’s fun. Visitors are welcomed by a molecule of ether shaped like a disco ball, courtesy of Jeanne Susplugas, and while the conceptual threat of the exhibition is a little hard to follow, there’s glitter, music, and the undeniably dazzling energy of disco liberation.
Where? La Villette
When? Until August 17 2025
Fashion takes the spotlight in the Louvre’s first-ever major clothing exhibition. Covering nearly 9,000 square meters, Louvre Couture places over 100 looks from 45 designers (think Chanel, Gaultier, Marine Serre) in dialogue with the museum’s most historic pieces. The result? Sometimes breathtaking, sometimes baffling. But it’s an ambitious swing – and one that puts fashion back in its rightful place: at the heart of art history.
Where? Musée du Louvre
When? Until July 21 2025
Read about why Paris claimed the number one spot on our list of the best cities in the world for culture, or check out our guides to the French capital’s best museums, best art galleries and most outstanding artworks.
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