It's the star discipline of the art world, the one that never disappoints. Some may find it too classic, but we know that the classic is also the timeless, the sure thing, the chocolate cake that pleases everyone. In short, we care. Paris, its museums and galleries are overflowing with beautiful painting exhibitions, and that's the subject we're interested in today!
If you're in the mood for a nice, carefree outing, a moment of relaxation and escape in all simplicity, it's to painting exhibitions that you should turn! Don't be fooled by the apparent sobriety of this category: you'll find some of the finest masterpieces of all time in these suggestions for outings, paintings of breathtaking complexity, beauty and technicality.
Modern, Impressionist, Classical or Baroque, Romantic or Surrealist: you'll find it all in Paris and the Paris region. Let yourself be seduced by these painters, from all centuries and all horizons, whose works are still admired today.
Are you convinced by the beauty of this art form? Then it's time to choose your next exhibition from our selection below.
Van Gogh, the last journeys: the exhibition at Château d'Auvers-sur-Oise - Extensions
Auvers-sur-Oise, the birthplace of Impressionism in the Île-de-France region, was home to the painter Vincent Van Gogh during the last years of his life. The château is extending its event exhibition, focusing on his last journeys, until November 2025. [Read more]
L'Esquisse, Barbizon's new cultural hotel, both café and free museum
L'Esquisse is a fusion of hotel, café and free museum. We're off to Barbizon, the famous artists' village, to take advantage of this new spot that combines large, charming rooms, a great café by the fireplace and a free museum honoring the artists who have influenced Barbizon around the world. [Read more]
Lê Phô, Mai-Thu, Vu Cao Dam: the exhibition at the Musée Cernuschi - Extensions
Modern Vietnamese art comes to Paris with a ground-breaking exhibition devoted to three pioneers of the genre: Lê Phô (1907-2001), Mai-Thu (1906-1980) and Vu Cao Dam (1908-2000). Visit the Musée Cernuschi until May 4, 2025 to admire the 150 works presented during this installation. [Read more]
Modigliani/Zadkine, an interrupted friendship: the cross-over exhibition at the Musée Zadkine
The Musée Zadkine explores the relationship between two exceptional artists: discover the exhibition Modigliani/Zadkine, une amitié interrompue, from November 14, 2024 to March 30, 2025. [Read more]
Elles, les élèves de Jean-Jacques Henner: the Jean-Jacques Henner Museum's exhibition for women
The Musée Jean-Jacques Henner focuses on women artists, with the exhibition "Elles, les élèves de Jean-Jacques Henner", on view from November 28, 2024 to April 28, 2025. [Read more]
S'éclairer sans fin: Edi Dubien's poetic exhibition extended at the Musée de la Chasse et de la Nature
Humans and animals come together in the poetic works and drawings of Edi Dubien, on show at the Musée de la Chasse et de la Nature from December 10, 2024 to August 17, 2025. [Read more]
Suzanne Valadon: the major retrospective exhibition at the Centre Pompidou
The Centre Pompidou pays tribute to the painter Suzanne Valadon with a major exhibition from January 15 to May 26, 2025. [Read more]
Guillaume Bresson at the Château de Versailles: the exhibition where contemporary art meets history
The Château de Versailles welcomes Guillaume Bresson and his works where history and contemporary art meet. An exhibition to discover from January 21 to May 25 2025. [Read more]
Cimabue: medieval Italian painting on show at the Louvre - our photos
The Musée du Louvre pays tribute to the revolutionary master of 13th-century Italian painting: Cimabue. The exhibition runs from January 22 to May 12, 2025. [Read more]
Tender Spirits: our photos of the urban art exhibition at the Goldshteyn-Saatort gallery
From February 14 to April 1, 2025, the Goldshteyn-Saatort gallery hosts the exhibition "Tender Spirits", an exploration of the connection between sensuality and spirituality. Among the artists on show are JonOne, FinDac, Belin, Mr Byste, Leon Keer and Insane51. [Read more]
Degenerate Art" exhibition: the trial of modern art under Nazism at the Musée Picasso - photos
From February 18 to May 15, 2025, the Musée Picasso unveils an exhibition of so-called "degenerate" art, entitled "Degenerate Art: The Trial of Modern Art under Nazism". A fascinating, dark dive into art history, exploring the Nazi regime's persecution of the avant-garde. [Read more]
The Musée Gustave Moreau, the painter's timeless home and studio in Paris
The Musée Gustave Moreau is a confidential Parisian museum nestled in the 9th arrondissement, where you can visit the artist's apartment and studio, and admire his famous staircase and numerous works of the Symbolist movement. [Read more]
Andrea Appiani, Napoleon's first painter in Italy: the exhibition at the Château de Bois-Préau
The Châteaux de Malmaison and Bois-Préau present "Andrea Appiani, Napoleon's first painter in Italy", an exhibition of paintings on view from March 16 to July 28, 2025. [Read more]
Claude Monet's Maison Impressionniste, the museum of the painter's life in Argenteuil
To discover the life of Claude Monet, there's no need to go as far as Giverny, as the Maison Impressionniste de Claude Monet in Argenteuil is home to an immersive museum about the painter. [Read more]
All Léger! Fernand Léger well surrounded at the Musée du Luxembourg - our photos
Fernand Léger from every angle... But above all through his successors and inspirations! From March 19 to July 20, 2025, the Musée du Luxembourg presents the exhibition Tous Léger! highlighting the works of major figures of New Realism and their dialogue with the American art scene. A rich itinerary of nearly 100 works awaits you for the occasion. We went along for the ride. [Read more]
Artemisia, heroine of art: our photos of the "Caravaggesque" exhibition at the Musée Jacquemart-André
A plunge into the work of one of the most internationally renowned women painters of her time... The Musée Jacquemart-André invites us to (re)discover the works of the celebrated painter Artemisia Gentileschi, through a retrospective exhibition presented from March 19 to August 3, 2025. From her beginnings with her father to her Caravaggesque inspirations, a look back at the life of a painter of unrivalled originality, both in terms of her career and her identity. [Read more]
Maximilien Luce: our photos from the landscape exhibition at the Musée de Montmartre
A fine production between pointillism and neo-impressionism... The Musée de Montmartre invites you to discover an exhibition of works by the artist Maximilien Luce, entitled "Maximilien Luce, l'instinct du paysage", from March 21 to September 14, 2025. This retrospective, the first in Paris since 1983, showcases the landscape works of this neo-impressionist painter, ranging from urban scenes to luminous countryside. [Read more]
The new History Gallery at the Château de Versailles to celebrate 400 years - photos
The History Gallery at the Château de Versailles reopens its doors to celebrate the 400th anniversary of this emblematic monument. Free of charge from September 15 to 17, 2023 for the Journées du Patrimoine (Heritage Days), then from September 21 with a ticket, discover a completely redesigned and refurbished gallery, retracing the history of the Château from its construction in 1623 by Louis XIII to the present day. More than 120 works from the Versailles collections, accompanied by a digital device, enable us to understand the creations, transformations and upheavals that have marked the Château. [Read more]
Christian Krohg: the Musée d'Orsay dedicates an exhibition to the Norwegian painter, our photos
The Musée d'Orsay in Paris honors the works of Christian Krohg. From March 25 to July 27, 2025, the famous Parisian museum is devoting a retrospective to this Norwegian painter, virtually unknown in France, with the exhibition "Christian Krohg. The People of the North". An opportunity to learn more about this Scandinavian artist, particularly gifted at capturing everyday life with realism. [Read more]
Barbro Östlihn: free exhibition dedicated to the Scandinavian painter at the Swedish Institute, our photos
For its new exhibition, the Swedish Institute is showcasing several works by talented painter Barbro Östlihn. An installation to be discovered free of charge from March 28 to July 20, 2025. [Read more]
Qu'importe le paysage: the Lucas Arruda exhibition at the Musée d'Orsay
The Musée d'Orsay is devoting a monographic exhibition to the Brazilian artist Lucas Arruda, from April 8 to July 20, 2025. A plunge into his imaginary landscapes and his quest for light, in dialogue with the Impressionists. [Read more]
Eugène Boudin, the father of Impressionism: the exhibition at Musée Marmottan Monet
The Musée Marmottan Monet hosts the exhibition "Eugène Boudin - Le père de l'impressionnisme : une collection particulière" from April 9 to August 31, 2025. A plunge into the artist's work through 80 pieces from prestigious collections. [Read more]
David Hockney: the artist's largest retrospective exhibition at the Fondation Louis Vuitton
The Fondation Louis Vuitton presents "David Hockney, 25 - Do remember they can't cancel the Spring", the largest retrospective ever dedicated to the contemporary artist, from April 9 to September 1, 2025. More than 400 works - oil paintings, ink drawings, video installations and digital works - offer an immersion into the abundant universe of Hockney, whose palette is as radiant as spring! [Read more]
The Cleaning Company: Aurore Guez's new free exhibition
Artist Aurore Guez presents La Société de Nettoyage in the 18th arrondissement of Paris. A visual and sensory immersion into a world where cleanliness becomes an obsession, to be discovered on April 12, 2025. [Read more]
Dans le Flou: the foggy exhibition at the Musée de l'Orangerie
The Musée de l'Orangerie presents the exhibition "Dans le flou" from April 30 to August 18, 2025. A journey to the heart of a singular aesthetic, between pictorial works, videos and installations, exploring the place of vagueness in art since 1945. [Read more]
Painting memory: the retrospective exhibition around Boris Zaborov at the Maison Caillebotte
Maison Caillebotte honors painter Boris Zaborov with the exhibition Painting Memory, on view from May 17 to September 21, 2025. [Read more]
Sculpture in Paris at the time of Camille Claudel: the exhibition in 2025
Sponsored - The Musée Camille Claudel in Nogent-sur-Seine is to devote a new exhibition to Parisian women sculptors from the late 19th to the early 20th century. On view from September 13, 2025 to January 4, 2026. [Read more]
Pierre Soulages: Paintings on paper, the exhibition at the Musée du Luxembourg
Pierre Soulages' works on paper will be featured in a new exhibition at the Musée du Luxembourg in Paris from September 16, 2025 to January 11, 2026. An opportunity to (re)discover the work of the man many called the master of outrenoir. [Read more]
Exhibition "Sargent, the Parisian years (1874-1884)" at the Musée d'Orsay
From September 23, 2025 to January 11, 2026, the Musée d'Orsay offers a unique insight into the early Parisian years of John Singer Sargent, one of the most talented American painters of his time. Featuring more than 90 works, some never before shown in France, the exhibition explores the meteoric rise of this major artist. [Read more]
L'Empire du Sommeil exhibition at the Musée Marmottan Monet
The Musée Marmottan Monet presents L'Empire du Sommeil, a new exhibition on view from October 9, 2025 to March 1, 2026. The exhibition explores sleep in art, between symbolism, science and psychoanalysis, through works ranging from Antiquity to the 20th century. [Read more]
And there you have it: an exquisite selection for all painting enthusiasts. All you have to do now is choose your next destination. Don't forget to come back to this guide: it's regularly updated with our latest articles.
