Paris, France – March 2026 is poised to be a vibrant month for culture enthusiasts in Paris, with seven distinct exhibitions scheduled to open or continue across the city. These events promise to cater to a wide array of interests, from immersive prehistoric journeys to detailed explorations of art, technology, and global cultures.
Seven Exhibitions to Transform Paris’s Cultural Landscape
The lineup includes a mix of interactive displays, large-scale retrospectives, and unique artistic interpretations, ensuring there is something for every visitor. Each exhibition offers a unique perspective, inviting audiences to delve into new worlds and ideas.
1. Atelier des Lumières – Prehistoric Planet: Dinosaurs, the Immersive Experience
The Atelier des Lumières will transport visitors back to the age of dinosaurs with its immersive experience, “Prehistoric Planet: Dinosaurs.” Monumental projections will transform the space into prehistoric landscapes, bringing life-sized Cretaceous creatures to vivid reality. Narrated by Gérard Lanvin with a soundtrack by Hans Zimmer, this exhibit combines spectacle with education. An interactive area allows children to color dinosaurs and see their creations projected onto the walls. The exhibition runs until March 8, 2026, and is suitable for ages 3 and up, with tiered pricing.
2. M.C. Escher at Monnaie de Paris
The Monnaie de Paris will host a major retrospective dedicated to the Dutch artist M.C. Escher, renowned for his optical illusions and impossible constructions. Over 150 original works will span his entire career, from realistic Italian landscapes to complex graphic creations. Educational and immersive installations will help visitors understand the mechanisms behind his unique perspectives. The exhibition will be open from February 18 to March 1, 2026.
3. Passion Japan, the Immersive Exhibition at La Villette
At the Espace Chapiteaux in Parc de la Villette, “Passion Japan” offers a sensory journey into traditional and contemporary Japanese culture. Advanced technology, monumental projections, and enveloping soundscapes will create total immersion in Japan’s iconic landscapes, from temples and cherry blossoms to vibrant cities. The exhibition explores both the poetry of ukiyo-e prints and the energy of modern Tokyo. It runs from March 19 to August 23, 2026, with tickets ranging from €17.90 to €37.90, and free admission for children under 3.
4. Flops?! The Original Exhibition at the Musée des Arts et Métiers
The Musée des Arts et Métiers presents “Flops?!”, an original exhibition exploring the mechanisms of technical and technological failures. This exhibit examines setbacks in various sectors, including transport, telecommunications, and mechanics, to understand the innovation process better. It questions engineers, designers, and users to dissect what went wrong in ambitious projects, revealing how some failures can lead to unexpected successes. The exhibition continues until May 17, 2026.
5. Permanent Collection – Musée de la Musique
The Cité de la Musique will unveil a new presentation of its permanent collection, featuring nearly 9,000 exceptional instruments and artworks. This inclusive museography traces global musical history from the Renaissance to contemporary electronic experiments, also exploring the rich musical cultures of Asia, Africa, Oceania, and the Americas. The redesigned exhibition aims to reconnect international musical heritage and showcases one of the world’s most significant instrument collections. Tickets are available from €12, and the exhibition runs until August 30, 2026.
6. Mickalene Thomas at Grand Palais
The Grand Palais Paris will host “All About Love,” a major retrospective dedicated to the African-American artist Mickalene Thomas. This exhibition explores over two decades of her creative work through painting, collage, photography, video, and installation. It highlights the representation of Black women in contemporary art, celebrating love as a force of liberation. Thomas reinterprets iconic European artworks, placing Black women at the center of the artistic narrative. The exhibition runs until April 5, 2026, with tickets starting at €19.50.
7. Joseph Cornell in Paris: The Mythical Studio Recreated by Wes Anderson
The Gagosian gallery in Paris will host a unique installation until March 14, 2026, where filmmaker Wes Anderson faithfully recreates Joseph Cornell’s mythical New York studio. Anderson’s aesthetic sensibility breathes life into “The House on Utopia Parkway,” the American artist’s creative sanctuary. Visitors can immerse themselves in the artist’s “department of odds and ends,” where his famous box-objects and poetic assemblages were born.
These exhibitions collectively highlight Paris’s enduring commitment to arts and culture, offering both residents and tourists unparalleled opportunities for discovery and engagement. With such a rich and varied program, March 2026 is set to be an unforgettable month for cultural exploration in the French capital.
