Our guide to the major events in one of the world's busiest and most prolific art seasons

Paris enters one of its most interesting cultural periods, as the city's galleries, museums, design houses and major institutions begin a busy programme of exhibitions and fairs. 

If you're interested in art and design, September through November is a chance to see Paris from a slightly different perspective - following new creative talent, exploring major exhibitions and seeing the ideas, artists and objects attracting attention across the international scene.

Paris Design Week

Various locations across Paris

10–19 September 2026

Paris Design Week opens the autumn season with ten days of exhibitions, installations, showrooms, creative collaborations and new openings across the city. The 2026 edition has an increased focus on collectible design and emerging talent. Among this year's programme are projects at the Musée Bourdelle, Maison Victor Hugo and Bibliothèque Historique de la Ville de Paris, alongside studios and galleries opening their doors to visitors. The result is less a single fair than a city-wide look at where contemporary French and international design is heading.

Fine Arts Paris

Grand Palais

19–23 September 2026

Bringing around 100 international galleries together under the Grand Palais' glass roof, covering everything from antiquity and Old Masters to modern and contemporary art. This year's edition features the Musée du Grand Siècle as guest of honour, offering a preview of its planned 2028 museum and a selection of works representing 17th-century French art and culture. The 2026 edition also introduces a collaboration between artist Fabienne Verdier and the French national insitututions Sèvres and Mobilier National, alongside a new Nouveaux Horizons section dedicated to younger dealers and emerging creators. Interior designer Charles Zana is responsible for the fair's scenography.

Cezanne et Nous

Grand Palais

23 September 2026 – 17 January 2027

Opening just as the autumn art calendar gathers pace, Cezanne et Nous explores the continuing influence of Paul Cézanne on generations of artists. Around 180 works will bring together approximately 70 works by Cézanne from the late 20th century to present, exploring how his approach to painting has continued to be reinterpreted.

Asia NOW

Monnaie de Paris

20–24 October 2026

Asia NOW returns to the Monnaie de Paris for its 12th edition, with West Asia and South Asia at the heart of the 2026 programme. The fair brings together galleries, artists, curators and institutions from across the region, offering a broader view of contemporary Asian art and its growing influence on the international art market. There is also a program supported by organisations including AFALULA and the Saudi Visual Arts Commission. Among the featured projects is Ghost of Today and Tomorrow by Ahaad Alamoudi, presented through Arts & Ideas.

Art Basel Paris

Grand Palais

23–25 October 2026 (Previews 21–22 October)

Art Basel Paris returns to the Grand Palais for its fifth edition, bringing together 211 exhibitors from 41 countries and territories, including almost 30 galleries participating for the first time. Art Basel's public programme extends into Paris through collaborations with leading cultural institutions, turning the city itself into part of the experience. The programme includes major public installations and presentations, with Miu Miu returning as the official partner, while Oh La La! - the fair's distinctive rehang initiative - also returns in 2026.

Salon d'Automne

Place de la Concorde

28 October – 1 November 2026

Founded in 1903, Salon d'Automne has a long history of introducing new artistic movements and giving emerging artists a platform. Today, the multidisciplinary exhibition covers painting, sculpture, photography, drawing, digital art, architecture and applied arts. This year takes place in two temporary pavilions on Place de la Concorde, bringing together a broad selection of contemporary work. It offers a useful counterpoint to the more market-focused art fairs earlier in the autumn, with an emphasis on artistic discovery and new perspectives.

Paris Photo

Grand Palais

12–15 November 2026

Paris Photo closes the autumn season with its 29th edition, bringing more than 220 exhibitors from over 30 countries to the Grand Palais. The 2026 edition has particular significance as photography marks its 200th anniversary, with special programming looking at two centuries of the medium and its continuing evolution. The programme also includes photobooks, talks, curated tours and special projects, offering plenty for both established collectors and anyone looking to explore photography as an art form. 

If you're planning a trip and interested in tickets and dates for local events, contact the team who can help you with bookings, information and itinerary planning.