Travelling in Paris: exhibitions that transport us to faraway lands

Published by La Rédac · Photos by Cécile de Sortiraparis · Published on April 3, 2024 at 06:43 p.m.
There are a thousand and one reasons why we can't travel and see the world. However, this doesn't mean we have to stay stuck at home: many exhibitions take us to more exotic landscapes and make us true globetrotters. Follow the guide!

Are you depressed by the greyness and concrete of Paris? The next vacations are still a long way off, but you need to get away now? Don't worry, we've got the solution! Forget planes, trains or hitchhiking: you don't have to leave Paris to travel and discover new cultures. The capital's museums and art galleries are brimming with magnificentexhibitions that take us from one end of the world to the other.

To escape from the gloom and doom that's setting in, there's nothing like a short trip for a change of scenery. The great thing about Paris is that you can immerse yourself in a wide range of cultures, and even change continents, just by taking a stroll or a ride on the metro. And sometimes, you can even cross the centuries to discover ancient foreign civilizations! Better than magic, it's art.

You don't need a passport or any special vaccinations: all you need to travel thanks to museums is a curious mind and wide-open eyes! Let us take you on a journey of discovery, according to the programming of the art venues, and prepare to be amazed. It's even said that some museums offer us journeys beyond our Earth, to the stars... Dare you try it?

Paintings, photos, sculptures, installations...Art transports us through the ages and across the globe, and we travel on a budget! Treat yourself to a cultural world tour, thanks to the museums, art galleries and cultural institutions in Paris and the Île-de-France region. Choose your next destination with this guide, and embark on an artistic world tour.

Contents

Current exhibitions

Upcoming exhibitions

The Soul Trembles - IMG 7689The Soul Trembles - IMG 7689The Soul Trembles - IMG 7689The Soul Trembles - IMG 7689 The Soul Trembles: Chiharu Shiota's reopening exhibition at the Grand Palais
The Grand Palais is celebrating its reopening with an exhibition by Japanese artist Chiharu Shiota, known for her installations of interwoven woollen threads, to be admired under the glass roof from December 11, 2024 to March 19, 2025. [Read more]

Les Orientalistes, l'exposition de l'Atelier des Lumières qui nous fait voyager en Orient - photos - IMG20240208102659Les Orientalistes, l'exposition de l'Atelier des Lumières qui nous fait voyager en Orient - photos - IMG20240208102659Les Orientalistes, l'exposition de l'Atelier des Lumières qui nous fait voyager en Orient - photos - IMG20240208102659Les Orientalistes, l'exposition de l'Atelier des Lumières qui nous fait voyager en Orient - photos - IMG20240208102659 Les Orientalistes: the Atelier des Lumières exhibition takes us on a journey to the Orient - photos
The mysteries of the Orient await you at the Atelier des Lumières: join Ingres, Delacroix, Vernet and many others in this groundbreaking exhibition on view from February 9, 2024 to January 22, 2025. [Read more]

L'Egypte des Pharaons, de Khéops à Ramsès II : l'exposition immersive de l'Atelier des Lumières - IMG20240208094846L'Egypte des Pharaons, de Khéops à Ramsès II : l'exposition immersive de l'Atelier des Lumières - IMG20240208094846L'Egypte des Pharaons, de Khéops à Ramsès II : l'exposition immersive de l'Atelier des Lumières - IMG20240208094846L'Egypte des Pharaons, de Khéops à Ramsès II : l'exposition immersive de l'Atelier des Lumières - IMG20240208094846 Egypt of the Pharaohs: the Atelier des Lumières immersive exhibition is extended
A fabulous journey awaits us this year at the Atelier des Lumières: from February 9, 2024 to January 22, 2025, discover the Egypt of the Pharaohs, from Cheops to Ramses II. [Read more]

La Chine des Tang, une dynastie cosmopolite : l'exposition dépaysante du musée Guimet - photos - IMG20241118165454La Chine des Tang, une dynastie cosmopolite : l'exposition dépaysante du musée Guimet - photos - IMG20241118165454La Chine des Tang, une dynastie cosmopolite : l'exposition dépaysante du musée Guimet - photos - IMG20241118165454La Chine des Tang, une dynastie cosmopolite : l'exposition dépaysante du musée Guimet - photos - IMG20241118165454 Tang China, a cosmopolitan dynasty: the Musée Guimet's exotic exhibition - photos
The Musée Guimet takes us back to the China of the Tang Empire, to discover its rich capital, Chang'an. A journey not to be missed from November 20, 2024 to March 3, 2025. [Read more]

Wayang Kulit, nos photos de l'exposition au musée du Quai Branly - IMG 6819Wayang Kulit, nos photos de l'exposition au musée du Quai Branly - IMG 6819Wayang Kulit, nos photos de l'exposition au musée du Quai Branly - IMG 6819Wayang Kulit, nos photos de l'exposition au musée du Quai Branly - IMG 6819 Wayang Kulit, shadow theater from Java and Bali: the exhibition at the Musée du Quai Branly, our photos
The Musée du Quai Branly in Paris immerses us in traditional Indonesian culture through the small exhibition "Wayang Kulit, shadow theater from Java and Bali". On view from Tuesday, November 12, 2024 to Sunday, March 23, 2025, this installation introduces us to 'wayang kulit' shadow theater, described as a performance show, and considered both a popular and timeless art form. [Read more]

Exposition Bagdad avec Assassin’s Creed Mirage à l'Institut du Monde Arabe - IMG 4700Exposition Bagdad avec Assassin’s Creed Mirage à l'Institut du Monde Arabe - IMG 4700Exposition Bagdad avec Assassin’s Creed Mirage à l'Institut du Monde Arabe - IMG 4700Exposition Bagdad avec Assassin’s Creed Mirage à l'Institut du Monde Arabe - IMG 4700 Baghdad with Assassin's Creed Mirage: the successful exhibition extended at the Institut du Monde Arabe
When video games allow us to explore the past... The Institut du Monde Arabe and Ubisoft join forces for an exceptional exhibition: February 28 to January 12, 2025, discover Baghdad: rediscover Madinat al-Salam, with Assassin's Creed Mirage. [Read more]

Kazakhstan, les trésors de la grande steppe au musée Guimet, nos photos - IMG 6617Kazakhstan, les trésors de la grande steppe au musée Guimet, nos photos - IMG 6617Kazakhstan, les trésors de la grande steppe au musée Guimet, nos photos - IMG 6617Kazakhstan, les trésors de la grande steppe au musée Guimet, nos photos - IMG 6617 Kazakhstan, treasures of the great steppe: an experience to see at the Musée Guimet, our photos
The rich cultural history of Kazakhstan is revealed in Paris! Thanks to exceptional loans from several major Kazakh museums, the Musée Guimet is exhibiting five treasures retracing five great moments in Kazakh culture, from the third millennium BC to the 18th century. From November 6, 2024 to March 24, 2025, discover "Kazakhstan, Treasures of the Great Steppe", a unique visitor experience. [Read more]

99 Cameras Museum  - IMG 625599 Cameras Museum  - IMG 625599 Cameras Museum  - IMG 625599 Cameras Museum  - IMG 6255 The Analog Chronicles: a free exhibition of silver photos at Studio Harcourt
Immerse yourself in the vacation photos of five renowned photographers, who have used five iconic silver cameras to create the new 99 Cameras Museum exhibition at Studio Harcourt, from November 6, 2024 to February 15, 2025. [Read more]

La Seine MusicaleLa Seine MusicaleLa Seine MusicaleLa Seine Musicale Listening to the fishes: a sound-immersion exhibition in the marine world of La Seine Musicale
La Seine Musicale takes us 20,000 leagues under the sea, to discover an unsuspected world... From October 16, 2024 to February 1, 2025, come and visit the A l'écoute des poissons et autres crevettes bruyantes sound exhibition. [Read more]

En solitaire autour du monde, l'exposition autour du Vendée Globe au Musée de la Marine - photos - IMG20241010145543En solitaire autour du monde, l'exposition autour du Vendée Globe au Musée de la Marine - photos - IMG20241010145543En solitaire autour du monde, l'exposition autour du Vendée Globe au Musée de la Marine - photos - IMG20241010145543En solitaire autour du monde, l'exposition autour du Vendée Globe au Musée de la Marine - photos - IMG20241010145543 En solitaire autour du monde, the Vendée Globe exhibition at the Musée de la Marine - photos
The Musée de la Marine takes us on an extraordinary journey, to meet the people taking part in the Vendée Globe on solo boats, with the exhibition En solitaire autour du monde, on view from October 16, 2024 to January 26, 2025. [Read more]

Lê Phô, Mai-Thu, Vu Cao Dam : l'exposition au musée Cernuschi, nos photos - IMG 6425Lê Phô, Mai-Thu, Vu Cao Dam : l'exposition au musée Cernuschi, nos photos - IMG 6425Lê Phô, Mai-Thu, Vu Cao Dam : l'exposition au musée Cernuschi, nos photos - IMG 6425Lê Phô, Mai-Thu, Vu Cao Dam : l'exposition au musée Cernuschi, nos photos - IMG 6425 Lê Phô, Mai-Thu, Vu Cao Dam: pioneers of modern Vietnamese art at the Musée Cernuschi, photos
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 from October 11, 2024 to March 9, 2025 to admire the 150 works presented during this installation. [Read more]

Exposition « Révélation ! Art contemporain du Bénin » à la Conciergerie  -  A7C3238Exposition « Révélation ! Art contemporain du Bénin » à la Conciergerie  -  A7C3238Exposition « Révélation ! Art contemporain du Bénin » à la Conciergerie  -  A7C3238Exposition « Révélation ! Art contemporain du Bénin » à la Conciergerie  -  A7C3238 The exhibition Révélation ! Contemporary art from Benin, unveiled at the Conciergerie
La Conciergerie welcomes contemporary artists from Benin, from October 4 2024 to January 5 2025, for an original exhibition entitled "Révélation ! Contemporary art from Benin". Discover the images of this exhibition-event! [Read more]

Bruno Liljefors, la Suède sauvage : l'exposition poétique se dévoile en images au Petit Palais - IMG20240930102930Bruno Liljefors, la Suède sauvage : l'exposition poétique se dévoile en images au Petit Palais - IMG20240930102930Bruno Liljefors, la Suède sauvage : l'exposition poétique se dévoile en images au Petit Palais - IMG20240930102930Bruno Liljefors, la Suède sauvage : l'exposition poétique se dévoile en images au Petit Palais - IMG20240930102930 Bruno Liljefors, wild Sweden: the poetic exhibition unveiled in pictures at the Petit Palais
New Scandinavian artist honored at the Petit Palais in Paris! From October 1, 2024 to February 16, 2025, take a voyage of discovery through wild Sweden and its animals, with a brand-new exhibition devoted to Bruno Liljefors, featuring paintings, drawings and photographs. [Read more]

L'or des Ming, l'exposition luxueuse du musée Guimet se dévoile  - IMG20240917172818L'or des Ming, l'exposition luxueuse du musée Guimet se dévoile  - IMG20240917172818L'or des Ming, l'exposition luxueuse du musée Guimet se dévoile  - IMG20240917172818L'or des Ming, l'exposition luxueuse du musée Guimet se dévoile  - IMG20240917172818 Ming gold: the dazzling exhibition unveiled in images at the Musée Guimet
Immerse yourself in the sumptuous world of imperial China, with the Ming Gold exhibition, on view at the Musée Guimet from September 18, 2024 to January 13, 2025. [Read more]

Le Château d'Auvers sur Oise et sa collection permanente sur les ImpressionnistesLe Château d'Auvers sur Oise et sa collection permanente sur les ImpressionnistesLe Château d'Auvers sur Oise et sa collection permanente sur les ImpressionnistesLe Château d'Auvers sur Oise et sa collection permanente sur les Impressionnistes 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'Hôtel de la MarineL'Hôtel de la MarineL'Hôtel de la MarineL'Hôtel de la Marine Color speaks all languages: the Al Thani collection exhibition at Hôtel de la Marine
The Hôtel de la Marine presents an original exhibition in the style of a cabinet of curiosities. From October 3, 2024 to October 5, 2025, come and admire the exhibition La couleur parle toutes les langues. [Read more]

L’art de James Cameron - IMG 9919L’art de James Cameron - IMG 9919L’art de James Cameron - IMG 9919L’art de James Cameron - IMG 9919 The Art of James Cameron: the exceptional retrospective exhibition at the Cinémathèque française
From April 4, 2024 to January 12, 2025, immerse yourself in the exceptional worlds of Titanic, Terminator and Avatar with a retrospective exhibition on the work of James Cameron, cinema's leading director and screenwriter, at the Cinémathèque française. [Read more]

Le musée d'art naif de VicqLe musée d'art naif de VicqLe musée d'art naif de VicqLe musée d'art naif de Vicq MIDAN, a naive art museum nestled in a country house in Vicq (78)
The Musée international d'art naïf d'île-de-France (MIDAN) is located in Vicq, a small town in the Yvelines department of France, a cultural venue dedicated to a little-known yet very rich artistic movement. [Read more]

Mission spatiale - IMG 5940Mission spatiale - IMG 5940Mission spatiale - IMG 5940Mission spatiale - IMG 5940 Mission spatiale, the new permanent exhibition in the stars at the Cité des sciences
Take a trip into space from October 23, 2023 at the Cité des sciences et de l'industrie, with a new permanent exhibition on the conquest of space. [Read more]

Europa Expérience, un lieu d'exposition gratuit et immersif sur l'Union Européenne à ParisEuropa Expérience, un lieu d'exposition gratuit et immersif sur l'Union Européenne à ParisEuropa Expérience, un lieu d'exposition gratuit et immersif sur l'Union Européenne à ParisEuropa Expérience, un lieu d'exposition gratuit et immersif sur l'Union Européenne à Paris Europa Expérience, an immersive exhibition on the European Union
Europa Experience is a unique interactive space on the European Union situated in the heart of Paris, in front of the famous Madeleine church. This 1500m2 permanent exhibition about the European Union, spread over three floors has a main goal: providing visitors with an immersive, interactive and enriching experience. Through a multimedia journey with enhanced reality activities and a 360° cinema, you travel to the four corners of the EU... from Paris. [Read more]

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Tokyo, naissance d'une ville moderne, nos photos de l’exposition à voir à la Maison de la culture du Japon - IMG 6678Tokyo, naissance d'une ville moderne, nos photos de l’exposition à voir à la Maison de la culture du Japon - IMG 6678Tokyo, naissance d'une ville moderne, nos photos de l’exposition à voir à la Maison de la culture du Japon - IMG 6678Tokyo, naissance d'une ville moderne, nos photos de l’exposition à voir à la Maison de la culture du Japon - IMG 6678 Tokyo, birth of a modern city: the exhibition at the Maison de la culture du Japon, our photos
The Maison de la culture du Japon in Paris is hosting a new temporary exhibition from November 6, 2024 to February 1, 2025. Entitled "Tokyo, Birth of a Modern City", the installation features a series of prints from the first half of the 20th century, as well as posters, photographs, kimonos, postcards and decorative objects. [Read more]

Visuels musée et monument musée de l'homme tour eiffelVisuels musée et monument musée de l'homme tour eiffelVisuels musée et monument musée de l'homme tour eiffelVisuels musée et monument musée de l'homme tour eiffel Wax: fashion and culture meet in Musée de l'Homme exhibition
The Musée de l'Homme explores the cultural implications of wax, a colorful fabric emblematic of African outfits, in an original exhibition on view from February 5 to September 7, 2025. [Read more]

visuel Paris visuel  -  Musée du Quai Branlyvisuel Paris visuel  -  Musée du Quai Branlyvisuel Paris visuel  -  Musée du Quai Branlyvisuel Paris visuel  -  Musée du Quai Branly Au fil de l'or: the brilliant exhibition on gold in the art of fashion at the Musée du Quai Branly
The Musée du Quai Branly takes us into a sparkling universe, where gold meets the art of textiles. Travel from the Orient to the Land of the Rising Sun with the Au fil de l'or exhibition, on view from February 11 to July 6, 2025. [Read more]

Visuel Paris 5e -  jardin des plantes - museum - printemps - fleursVisuel Paris 5e -  jardin des plantes - museum - printemps - fleursVisuel Paris 5e -  jardin des plantes - museum - printemps - fleursVisuel Paris 5e -  jardin des plantes - museum - printemps - fleurs Deserts: the striking exhibition at the Paris Natural History Museum
The Muséum national d'Histoire naturelle in Paris takes us to the most extreme corners of the planet, with the "Déserts" exhibition, on view from April 2 to November 30, 2025. [Read more]

Visuel Paris Musée du Quai BranlyVisuel Paris Musée du Quai BranlyVisuel Paris Musée du Quai BranlyVisuel Paris Musée du Quai Branly Tarō Okamoto, Japan reinvented: a new exhibition at the Musée du Quai Branly
Want to discover one of the great figures of Japanese avant-gardism? Head to the Musée du Quai Branly in Paris from Tuesday, April 15 to Sunday, September 7, 2025 to admire the exhibition devoted to the multidisciplinary Japanese artist Tarō Okamoto. [Read more]

Visuel Maison de la culture du Japon - 20240312 134619Visuel Maison de la culture du Japon - 20240312 134619Visuel Maison de la culture du Japon - 20240312 134619Visuel Maison de la culture du Japon - 20240312 134619 L'écologie des choses: a new exhibition at the Maison de la culture du Japon in Paris
Environmental art invites itself to the Maison de la culture du Japon in Paris. On view from April 30 to July 26, 2025, the exhibition "L'écologie des choses" (The Ecology of Things) showcases the work of a number of Japanese artists, from different generations, addressing ecological issues from 1970 to the present day. [Read more]

Musée Camille ClaudelMusée Camille ClaudelMusée Camille ClaudelMusée Camille Claudel Sculpture in Paris at the time of Camille Claudel: the exhibition in 2025
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]

En solitaire autour du monde, l'exposition autour du Vendée Globe au Musée de la Marine - photos - IMG20241010145749En solitaire autour du monde, l'exposition autour du Vendée Globe au Musée de la Marine - photos - IMG20241010145749En solitaire autour du monde, l'exposition autour du Vendée Globe au Musée de la Marine - photos - IMG20241010145749En solitaire autour du monde, l'exposition autour du Vendée Globe au Musée de la Marine - photos - IMG20241010145749 In the wake of Magellan: the immersive exhibition at the Musée national de la Marine
Discover the incredible epic of Magellan and his crew 500 years ago on the seas of the globe through an immersive exhibition, from October 22, 2025, in the heart of the Musée national de la Marine. [Read more]

Exposition Louis XV au Château de Versailles - louis xv enfant - Antoine coysevoxExposition Louis XV au Château de Versailles - louis xv enfant - Antoine coysevoxExposition Louis XV au Château de Versailles - louis xv enfant - Antoine coysevoxExposition Louis XV au Château de Versailles - louis xv enfant - Antoine coysevox Amerindian allies at the court of Louis XV: the historical exhibition at the Château de Versailles
Immerse yourself in the Mississippi Valley from November 25, 2025 with the Château de Versailles exhibition on the native nations who allied themselves with the French when they settled in Louisiana during the reign of the young Louis XV. [Read more]

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No need for a passport, you can leave immediately for the most beautiful of journeys. So, where do you start? What's your next destination?

Practical information

Dates and Opening Time
From March 31, 2023 to December 31, 2027

× Approximate opening times: to confirm opening times, please contact the establishment.
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