Martin Parr. Global Warning: a powerful retrospective at the Jeu de Paume, an exhibition that questions our times

From January 30 to May 24, 2026, the Jeu de Paume art center in Paris presents Global Warning, a major retrospective of British photographer Martin Parr. A key figure in contemporary photography, Parr is celebrated here for his unique look at the excesses of modern society through more than 180 works produced over more than fifty years. The exhibition invites the public to reflect on our globalized world – between unbridled consumerism, mass tourism, technological dependencies and ambivalent relations with the environment – with a tone both ironic and lucid.

A portrait of our society through the absurd

Martin Parr has made a name for himself with his singular visual style, characterized by saturated colors, the use of flash in broad daylight and an aesthetic akin to vacation photography or popular culture. But behind this apparently joyful and colorful style lie images that paint a portrait of an often absurd, compulsive and paradoxical humanity. From the frenzy of crowded beaches and saturated supermarkets to crowds of tourists crammed in front of iconic sites, his shots capture familiar yet revealing scenes. These images, sometimes funny, often offbeat, function as an indirect critique of our lifestyles, highlighting the imbalances and excesses of our times.

Visual satire in the service of warning

The Global Warning exhibition is built around five major thematic sections, allowing visitors to rediscover Parr’s work from a contemporary perspective. From mass tourism to technology addiction and theenvironmental impact of consumerism, each section highlights the photographer’s recurring obsessions. His humor – inherited from a British satirical tradition – does not serve to minimize the issues at stake, but to awaken consciences without moralizing. Through these images, visitors are invited to question their own habits and the trajectory of a world out of balance.

The exhibition takes on a special dimension after Martin Parr’s death in 2025, offering a posthumous tribute to a career marked by a rare ability to blend aesthetics, humor and social criticism.

Practical info

📍 Exhibition: Martin Parr. Global Warning – Jeu de Paume1 place de la Concorde, 75001 Paris
Dates : January 30 to May 24, 2026
Opening hours: Tuesday 11am-9pm (nocturne) – Wednesday to Sunday 11am-7pm – Closed on Mondays
Prices : Full ~€13 – Reduced ~€9-9.50 depending on conditions
Reservations: recommended