As a new year approaches, so does a fresh wave of cultural events. Paris is gearing up for an exciting 2026, with several major exhibitions already announced that are set to captivate art lovers and casual visitors. From celebrated painters to the evolving art of video game music and the distinctive eye of a British photographer, the French capital offers a diverse cultural landscape for the upcoming year.
Matisse: A Second Life Explored at Grand Palais
The Grand Palais will host a significant exhibition titled “Matisse, 1941-1954,” focusing on the later years of Henri Matisse’s career. This period, which the artist himself referred to as his “second life,” began in 1941 after his recovery from colon cancer and continued until his death in 1954. The exhibition will feature over 230 works, including paintings, drawings, stained glass, and an exceptional collection of cut-out gouaches. Notable pieces such as “The Sadness of the King,” “Zulma,” “The Creole Dancer,” and the famous “Blue Nudes” will be on display. The monumental panels of “The Sheaf” and “The Acanthus,” along with key elements from the Rosary Chapel in Vence, will also be presented. This retrospective offers a deep dive into Matisse’s prolific and innovative final years.
“Matisse, 1941-1954” will run from March 24 to July 26, 2026, at the Grand Palais (Paris 8e).
“Video Games & Music” at Philharmonie de Paris
The Philharmonie de Paris invites visitors to embark on a sensory journey with its upcoming exhibition, “Video Games & Music.” This unique showcase will trace half a century of musical innovation, from the minimalist sounds of Pong, the first arcade game, to the epic orchestrations found in titles like Final Fantasy and Assassin’s Creed. Conceived as an immersive experience, the exhibition will feature around twenty interactive installations, allowing attendees to play, listen, and experiment. The aim is to demonstrate how video game music transcends its initial function to become an art form in its own right. Both gamers and music enthusiasts will need to wait until April 3, 2026, to press “play” on this exciting venture.
“Video Games & Music” will be held from April 3, 2026, to January 1, 2027, at the Philharmonie de Paris (Paris 19e).
Renoir and the Theme of Love at Musée d’Orsay
In 2026, Pierre-Auguste Renoir’s masterpiece, “Bal du moulin de la Galette” (1876), will celebrate its 150th anniversary. To commemorate this milestone, the Musée d’Orsay will dedicate a major retrospective to the Impressionist master, titled “Renoir and Love.” The exhibition will gather nearly fifty paintings, many rarely shown together, all created during the first twenty years of his career (1865-1885). Featured works will include “La Grenouillère,” “The Umbrellas,” and “Luncheon of the Boating Party,” the latter on exceptional loan from the Phillips Collection in Washington. This collection will allow visitors to rediscover Renoir’s work through the lens of love and the relationships between men and women, as depicted in various Parisian settings of the late 19th century.
“Renoir and Love” will be on view from March 17 to July 19, 2026, at the Musée d’Orsay (Paris 7e).
Martin Parr: “Global Warning” at Jeu de Paume
The Jeu de Paume will pay tribute to the iconic British photographer Martin Parr, who passed away on December 6, 2025, at the age of 73. The exhibition, “Martin Parr-Global Warning,” will feature approximately 180 works, spanning over half a century of his career, from his early black-and-white photographs to his more recent, saturated color series. The exhibition will explore Parr’s recurring themes: mass tourism, consumerism, excessive use of transport, environmental damage, and the ironies of luxury and fast food. With his characteristic sharp wit, Parr consistently turned his lens on ordinary scenes around the globe, revealing their excesses, imbalances, contradictions, and often tender absurdities, elevating kitsch to an art form.
“Martin Parr-Global Warning” will run from January 30 to May 24, 2026, at Jeu de Paume (Paris 8e).
These upcoming exhibitions promise a rich and diverse cultural year for Paris, offering something for every taste and interest, from classical art to contemporary photography and innovative explorations of popular culture.
Source: https://www.cnews.fr/culture/2025-12-12/paris-voici-les-expositions-les-plus-attendues-en-2026-1782930?amp
