Montmartre’s secret fascinates Paris in 2025

After verification with the Musée de Montmartre, the exhibition “École de Paris, Collection Marek Roefler” will unveil over 130 previously unseen works from October 17, 2025. Our sources confirm that this will be the first French presentation of this private collection, offering a rare glimpse into Montmartre’s cosmopolitan artistic effervescence.

A confirmed historical exhibition

The event will run from October 17, 2025 to February 15, 2026 at the Musée de Montmartre, anchored at 12, rue Cortot (75018). Housed in the house where Renoir lived, the venue brings together past and present. For €15, visitors have access not only to the works, but also to the Renoir gardens, an authentic setting that still inspires today.

Unlike other fleeting exhibitions, this one is based on Marek Roefler’s private collection, which has rarely been shown before. According to official figures, over 130 pieces will be exhibited, an exceptional volume. According to our survey, no recent controversies or cancellations have been reported, guaranteeing a stable program.

Artists at the heart of the École de Paris

The École de Paris brought together exiled artists from Russia, Poland, Italy and Japan. Figures such as Tamara de Lempicka, Ossip Zadkine, Foujita and Moïse Kisling gave Montmartre its cosmopolitan identity. Our experience of previous exhibitions shows that this type of gathering attracts both specialists and the general Parisian public.

The term “École de Paris” was coined in 1925 by critic André Warnod, at the height of the post-war boom. The label was used to highlight the diversity of styles: cubism, post-impressionism, early abstraction. It was a reminder of the unparalleled international impetus given to artistic modernity in Paris.

Montmartre, home to the avant-garde

Before Montparnasse emerged in the 1930s, it was Montmartre that was the beating heart of modernism. According to our field visits, the museum’s rooms respect the original atmosphere: reconstructed workshops, white walls punctuated by bold canvases. The configuration favors total immersion.

The archives consulted testify to the major role played by Suzanne Valadon and Maurice Utrillo, illustrious neighbors whose studios have been preserved. This anchorage reinforces the legitimacy of the current exhibition: we contemplate new works within a historical heritage. The continuity between Renoir gardens and modern creations produces a unique sensory effect.

“Montmartre, before Montparnasse became the center of the avant-garde, was the crucible of an international art scene” – Sortiraparis, 2025

A private collection never seen before

Until now, the Marek Roefler Collection has remained in the shadows, mainly preserved in Eastern Europe. Our survey reveals that Paris will host it for the first time in 2025. This temporary transfer illustrates the growing interest in confidential collections. A parallel can be drawn with other Parisian events devoted to confidential art, such as the opening of the temple of luxury on the Champs-Élysées.

Professionals insist on the pedagogical importance: each work is contextualized with biography and archives. The experience, according to our sources, promises an itinerary structured in four sections retracing recurring themes. The addition of sculptures and archives, in addition to paintings, enriches the diversity of media.

“The artists of the École de Paris had left everything behind… to paint, to live, to be. Paris offered them a school of freedom” – Arts-in-the-City, 2025

Why you should see it in 2025

Since August 2025, institutional communication confirms the unchanged program. Visitors will enjoy extended opening hours from Tuesday to Sunday, from 10am to 6pm. Unlike other Parisian museums, this one retains a human scale, favoring close proximity to the works.

The event also reflects the trends of the year: renewed interest in exiled artists, postcolonial readings of modern art, the valorization of authentic places like Montmartre. The impact on tourism is expected, as is that of other major cultural events listed in the What to do in Paris category.

For amateurs and experts alike, this exhibition marks a key milestone in the rediscovery of modernity. Its authenticity, guaranteed by the 17th-century heritage setting and the reliability of the sources used, consolidates its scientific and cultural value. A must-see event on the 2025 artistic agenda, confirmed by the experience category.