Paris: here are the must-see exhibitions in the capital right now

The capital is teeming with cultural offerings this spring 2026. Exhibitions in Paris cater for all tastes: photography, fashion, contemporary art or design. To help you sort through them, here’s a selection of events not to be missed in the coming weeks.

Martin Parr at the Jeu de Paume: irony in the service of ecology

Jeu de Paume hosts “Global Warning”, a retrospective devoted to British photographer Martin Parr (1952-2025). Sunburned skin, saturated beaches, buffets overflowing with plastic: his images humorously denounce mass tourism and over-consumption. This exhibition, on view until May 24 2026, proves that irony can raise awareness without resorting to catastrophism.

The photographer’s sharp eye captures our contemporary failings. He highlights our ambiguous relationship with the planet. Yet his images never judge us head-on: instead, they invite us to think for ourselves.

K-Beauty at the Musée Guimet: understanding a global phenomenon

Korean cosmetics have conquered the world. The Musée Guimet presents ” K-Beauty. Beauté coréenne, histoire d’un phénomène”, from March 18 to July 6, 2026. The exhibition celebrates 140 years of Franco-Korean diplomatic relations.
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Art Deco is multi-faceted, metamorphosing according to artistic singularities and national schools.”

Beyond beauty products, this exhibition places K-Beauty in its cultural context. It reveals the influence of K-pop, K-dramas and traditional Korean aesthetics. As a result, visitors gain a better understanding of the roots of this global craze.

Textiles and fashion: two must-see Parisian exhibitions

The Musée Bourdelle pays tribute to Magdalena Abakanowicz, who passed away in 2017. The Polish artist revolutionized textiles by creating monumental works, somewhere between sculpture and tapestry, from the late 1960s onwards. Nearly 70 pieces are on display until April 12, 2026.

• Martin Parr at Jeu de Paume, until May 24, 2026
• K-Beauty at the Musée Guimet, until July 6, 2026
• Magdalena Abakanowicz at the Musée Bourdelle, until April 12, 2026
• Mickalene Thomas at the Grand Palais, until April 5, 2026
• Azzedine Alaïa and Christian Dior at the Fondation Alaïa, until May 24, 2026

The Azzedine Alaïa Foundation, for its part, explores the link between two couture giants. Azzedine Alaïa had collected almost 600 pieces signed Dior. This double exhibition in Paris, on view until May 24, 2026, reveals the secret obsession that began with a four-day workshop in 1956.

Mickalene Thomas at the Grand Palais: an ode to black women

The Grand Palais celebrates 20 years of Mickalene Thomas’ career with “All About Love”. This title, borrowed from the Afro-feminist author bell hooks, sets the tone. Love, here, goes beyond romance to become a political force.

Black women take center stage in this retrospective. Long absent from artistic bodies of work and feminist struggles, they are finally finding a dazzling visibility. This Paris exhibition closes on April 5, 2026.

Art deco, famous chess and contemporary art

The Musée des Arts Décoratifs celebrates 100 years of Art Deco with an exhibition on view until April 26, 2026. This movement, often confused with Art Nouveau, triumphed at the 1925 International Exhibition. The exhibition recalls its emergence in the 1910s.

At the Musée des Arts et Métiers, “Flops?!” explores 250 years of chess. Some thirty objects recount false good ideas and memorable blunders. This original approach runs until May 17, 2026.

The Fondation Cartier pour l’art contemporain inaugurates its new premises, designed by Jean Nouvel. With 6,500 m² of space, this “machine for seeing” fascinates as much by its architecture as by its works. The General Exhibition will remain open until August 23, 2026.

These Paris exhibitions offer a rich and varied panorama of artistic creation. From committed photography to haute couture, from monumental textiles to art deco, each museum offers a unique experience. All that’s left is to choose your next visit from among these cultural events in 2026.

• exhibitions in Paris