Paris is full of museums. The best part of living here is that so many of them go all out putting on exhibitions and trying to grab the attention of tourists and locals alike.
Whether you’re in Paris for summer, or if you live here, there are several exhibitions for 2026 that you shouldn’t miss.
Matisse 1941-1954 at the Grand Palais
Now through 26 July
This exhibit covers the final years of Henri Matisse. In collaboration with the Centre Pompidou, it goes through one of the most creative periods of the French artist’s life. Born in 1869, Matisse was a leader of the Fauvist movement, which celebrated the use of pure color applied straight from paint tubes.
It was later in his life that Matisse invented a new way of painting by cutting forms out of paper.
Matisse’s later years were productive and it shows in this exhibition. Room after room is filled with his sketches, paintings, and collaborations with glass makers. I recommend getting the audio guide, as it does a good job of explaining the connection and digging deeper into what Matisse was striving for in his work.
The exhibition runs until 26 July. You can get tickets for 19 euros here.
Renoir and Love: A Joyful modernity (1865-1885) at Musee d’Orsay
Now through 19 July
I try to avoid going to Musee d’Orsay because it is so crowded. But there are times when I make exceptions. The Renoir and Love exhibition is one of those times.
Running until 19 July, the exhibit covers Pierre-Auguste Renoir’s work from 1865 to 1886. It explores the concept of modern love and how Renoir used love as an inspiration in his paintings.
Renoir was a French impressionist painter known for his portraits, especially of children. He was renowned for capturing natural light and was a very fast and prolific painter.
The show is the first time some of Renoir’s greatest works are being shown together in France since 1985, making it a must-see for any art lover.
Just be warned if you go to this exhibit, it’s likely to be very crowded.
Tickets cost 16 euros, which you can get here.
Lee Miller Exhibit at the Paris Museum of Modern Art
Now through 2 August
If you haven’t seen the movie Lee with Kate Winslet, then you definitely should watch it before going to see the Lee Miller exhibit at the Paris Museum of Modern Art.
Lee Miller was an American photographer and photojournalist, most famous for taking a self-portrait in Hitler’s bathtub in the final days of World War II. She pulled this photographic stunt only hours after visiting Dauchau, deliberately tracking the filth of the concentration camp into Hitler’s private quarters.
Miller started as a fashion model before moving to Paris in the 1920s and becoming a photographer. With more than 250 photographs, the exhibit is a large retrospective of Miller’s life. You get a good idea of how her photographic style changed over the years. Her images are striking, and the photos during the war are haunting.
It’s a heavy exhibition but one well worth going to. The exhibition runs until August 2.
You can purchase tickets here for 17 euros.
La Caverne du Pont Neuf by JR
This exhibition is not in a museum but on the oldest bridge in Paris, the Pont Neuf.
For almost a month, the bridge will be transformed into a limestone quarry from which it is made. Covered in photos by French artist JR, you can traverse the bridge and will immediately be surrounded by a quarry and protected from the beauty and business of Paris. JR, or Jean-René, is known for large black-and-white photographs that are posted in large public spaces.
Running from now to June 28, the exhibit is a tribute to the first time the bridge was wrapped by duo Christo and Jeanne-Claude. It is free for the public and open 24/7.
Michelangelo and Rodin. Living bodies at the Louvre
The Louvre’s exhibition of the year is a dialogue between two of the most famous sculptures in the world. Works by Michelangelo and Auguste Rodin will be shown side-by-side, showing how both celebrated the beauty of the human body.
Despite a 365-year difference in their births, the two sculptures are complementary. Both artists took extreme care in their work and approached sculpture not so much as an art form but as a meticulous craft.
The exhibition includes marble and bronze statues, plaster, terracottas, and graphic works. It runs until 20 July. Tickets cost €22 for EU residents and 32 euros for non-EU residents, which you can purchase here on the Louvre website.
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Moriah Costa
Moriah Costa is a freelance journalist. She grew up in Arizona and has lived in Washington, D.C., London, and Madrid. She now lives in Paris with her husband and cat.
