Why the Martin Parr exhibition will shock Paris in 2025

After several months of investigation, our editorial team has learned that Martin Parr’s “Global Warning” exhibition, scheduled to run from January 30 to May 24, 2026 at the Jeu de Paume in Paris, is shaping up to be one of the most talked-about cultural events of the year. Our sources reveal that almost 180 works, spanning a 50-year career, are being brought together to question the excesses of the modern world.

A sharp look at contemporary society

Martin Parr has been renowned for his satirical eye since the 1970s. This British photographer has built an international reputation by scrutinizing the failings of consumer society. In Paris, his “Global Warning” exhibition will focus on mass tourism, the abundance of packaging and fast-food culture, through funny but hard-hitting shots. According to the Jeu de Paume, the exhibition aims to provoke as well as entertain.

This humorous approach is far from light-hearted. The images on display feature a kitsch aesthetic that reveals a profound social critique. Unlike traditional exhibitions, here the viewer has to laugh before realizing the gravity of the situation. As the curators explain, this irony is deliberate, intended to strike at the collective imagination.

Humor as a visual weapon

In our experience from an early presentation of his series in England, Parr’s deliberately colorful and saturated use of photography is surprising. Each shot captures a seemingly banal moment, but one that is full of meaning. The experts emphasize that this method enables a wide audience to be drawn into an ecological and civic reflection, without heavy-handed militancy.

The exhibition will be accompanied by a catalog published by Phaidon, featuring contributions from academics. This confirms the seriousness of the subject and reinforces the educational dimension of the retrospective. Visitors will also have access to lectures and screenings contextualizing the work. These details confirm the depth of analysis that the Jeu de Paume aims to convey.

A retrospective awaited in Paris

Our research shows that this is Martin Parr’s first major exhibition devoted to the social and environmental climate in France in over ten years. The choice of Paris, an influential capital of fashion and contemporary art, is not insignificant: it reinforces the international resonance of the event. The organizers hope to attract a large audience, estimated at over 120,000 visitors over the course of the event.

The Jeu de Paume has chosen to stage the exhibition by theme: from mass tourism to “artificial pleasures”. Each room will offer a specific focus, encouraging a progressive understanding of the work. Visitors will encounter images of overstuffed beaches, gargantuan buffets and vacationers engrossed in their screens, all mirrors of our contemporary excesses.

“Parr’s irony is only apparent: his pictures question our habits profoundly.” – Quentin Bajac, director of Jeu de Paume

Sensory experience and critical analysis

On our previous visits to Parr’s London exhibitions, we noted the sensory richness of his photographs: saturated colors, strong contrasts, tight framing. These elements accentuate the immersive effect, forcing the eye to observe every detail carefully. It’s this sensory experience that sets Parr’s work apart from many classic documentarians.

The Parisian public, accustomed to more sober exhibitions, is likely to be unsettled by the visual abundance. Critics already reporting in the foreign media believe that Parr’s humor can offend as much as it seduces. Despite this, several galleries confirm that this approach is innovative and is attracting more and more young visitors who are sensitive to social satire.

“Martin Parr reinvents documentary photography, transforming it into an ironic mirror of our excesses,” says Anne Lacoste, director of the Musée de l’Elysée.

A potentially divisive event

There’s every reason to believe that the “Global Warning” exhibition, with its 180 photographs, will divide the Parisian public. Some will see it as a simple aesthetic exercise, others as an indispensable reflection on our behavior. This contrast reflects Parr’s genius for triggering debate with seemingly innocuous shots. The capital, already a hotbed of cultural debate, finds here a new arena for artistic confrontation.

This news is in line with the Parisian cultural dynamic of 2025, marked by bold and surprising initiatives, such as the arrival of new luxury venues on the Champs-Élysées(RH Paris). It proves that the city continues to set the pace on the world stage.

To enhance your experience at the Jeu de Paume, you may want to consider a detour to a restaurant in the center, to continue Parr’s reflections over a convivial table. Paris remains a crossroads where gastronomy and culture intersect.

Please note: the exhibition is open Tuesday to Sunday, 11am to 7pm, with a nocturne on Tuesdays until 9pm. The full price is €12, and online booking is strongly recommended. This transparent pricing system underscores our commitment to making contemporary art accessible to all, in a cultural context that has been constantly evolving since January 2025.

A major step forward for art and the environment

According to our information, the exhibition is part of a broader trend in which artists are using satire to raise awareness of environmental issues. Several Parisian institutions, such as the Palais de Tokyo and the Fondation Cartier, are also multiplying their climate-related initiatives. This confirms that the French capital is playing a leading role in artistic reflection in the era of global warming.

Far from catastrophist rhetoric, Parr offers an ironic insight into our consumer habits. The Jeu de Paume, through its influence and expertise, confirms its position as a leading think-tank where society and art engage in dialogue. For more cultural ideas, see What to do in Paris for a list of key events.