In August, it's well known that Paris is almost devoid of Parisians. This summer season, many have answered the call of the summer vacations. Except, of course, in this year of the Olympic and Paralympic Games. If you're looking for a break between two athletics competitions, and want to take advantage of the capital's many other cultural events, you've come to the right place.
The capital's good things never stop, including in the cultural sphere! So we're taking you on a tour of the free exhibitions on offer in the capital this summer. Whether outdoors or indoors, on a sunny stroll or in the shade, there are plenty of cultural events to enjoy in Paris thissummer!
So, what are the free exhibitions in Paris this August? Here we reveal the cultural outings that await you in the capital. But be warned, if you're a fan of these kinds of good deals, we recommend you keep this page carefully: the guide is updated as we discover new ones and announcements. So don't miss out on any of these free cultural outings.
We are here: the free urban art exhibition is extended at the Petit Palais - photo
You'd never expect to see urban art in a fine arts museum... And yet that's exactly what the We are here exhibition offers, on view free of charge from June 12, 2024 to January 19, 2025. [Read more]
"Paris!" the free immersive exhibition at Hôtel de Ville, new slots available
Discover the many facets of Paris at an exceptional exhibition at the Hôtel de Ville? Until October 19, 2024, we're off to discover the Paris City Hall event exhibition named: "Paris!" the capital presents itself to the world! New slots are available, so it's time to (re)discover Paris, its wealth, its culture, its events, its tragedies and everything that makes it who it is. [Read more]
Shepard Fairey, a.k.a. Obey: "Swan Song" exhibition at Galerie Itinerrance in Paris, extensions
Attention Shepard Fairey fans! The famous American street artist, also known as Obey, returns to the Itinerrance gallery in Paris's 13th arrondissement to unveil "Swan Song". In view of its success, this free solo exhibition by Shepard Fairey has been extended until Saturday, October 12, 2024. [Read more]
Sweet Expulsion: our photos of Katherina Olschbaur's exhibition at Galerie Perrotin
Galerie Perrotin presents Sweet Expulsion, Katherina Olschbaur's first major European exhibition in France, from August 31 to September 21, 2024. Immerse yourself in a universe where color and form redefine space and time, and explore works blending abstract expressionism and personal mythologies. [Read more]
Isle of Thanet: our photos from Nick Goss's exhibition at Galerie Perrotin
Galerie Perrotin invites you to discover "Isle of Thanet", Nick Goss's first solo exhibition in the capital, from August 31 to October 21, 2024. Immerse yourself in a universe where insularity and memory mingle through eleven new works presented to visitors! [Read more]
Lake Margrethe: our photos of Koak's exhibition at Galerie Perrotin
Attention contemporary art lovers... We're off to Galerie Perrotin to discover the new exhibition by American artist Koak, entitled Lake Margrethe, from August 31 to October 5, 2024. The exhibition offers an immersion into profound themes combining nature, family relationships and introspection, through works as enigmatic as they are personal. [Read more]
Different is beautiful: the outdoor exhibition during the Paralympics at Buttes-Chaumont
Until September 8, 2024, take advantage of the Paris Paralympic Games to discover an outdoor exhibition in the Parc des Buttes-Chaumont, featuring striking works on disability. [Read more]
L'Art coûte que coûte: an exhibition on disability at the Orangerie du Sénat
During the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games, the free "L'Art coûte que coûte" exhibition lands at the Orangerie du Sénat, showcasing works by artists with disabilities. [Read more]
Olympism, more than a dream: free exhibition on Qatar at the Olympic Games at the Royal Monceau
Until August 25, 2024, the Royal Monceau - Raffles Paris is hosting an exhibition retracing the forty years of Qatar's participation in the Olympic Games, through emblematic Olympic objects and landmark moments. [Read more]
Gold Rush: our photos from the free amusement park at Lafayette Anticipations - last days
To coincide with the 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games, Lafayette Anticipations invites you to discover its summer exhibition, La Ruée vers l'or, from June 22 to September 1, 2024. An artistic leisure park with free, open access, imagined by students in the vocational stream at the Lycée Alfred Nobel in Clichy-sous-Bois, also on offer at the Atelier Médicis in Clichy-sous-Bois from June 1 to July 27, 2024. We visited this artistic park, and tell you all about it (and take advantage of the last few days to have a look around)! [Read more]
Championnes: the photo exhibition honoring women's sport unveiled at Galerie Roger-Viollet
Come and admire the female sporting champions of the inter-war years by discovering the free photo exhibition organized by the Roger-Viollet gallery and L'Equipe, from June 13 to September 21, 2024. [Read more]
Olympic Games Paris 2024: Olympic jubilation, our photos from the exhibition at the Goldshteyn-Saatort gallery
For the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, head to the Goldshteyn-Saatort gallery to discover a 100% JO exhibition, Gaîtés Olympiques - Citius, Altius, Fortius, from July 25 to August 11, 2024. Immerse yourself in a universe where urban art meets the Olympic spirit through the works of ten international artists. [Read more]
Olympic Games 2024: Head in the Clouds, our photos from the special Olympic Games group show at La Lison gallery
For the 2024 Olympics, we're off to Galerie La Lison to discover the "Head in the Clouds" exhibition, from July 25 to August 30, 2024. Three artists with a passion for the rooftops of Paris invite you to immerse yourself in their unique, poetic visions of the city. [Read more]
Decoding Korea: Korean digital and contemporary art unveiled at the Grand Palais Immersif
The Grand Palais Immersif plunges us into Korea's contemporary digital art, with the free exhibition Decoding Korea, on view from July 26 to August 25, 2024. [Read more]
Made in Paris: an event combining art and sport at Beaugrenelle this summer
This summer, from June 27 to August 11, the Beaugrenelle shopping center is bringing the Olympic festivities to life in a whole new way, with a popular program combining art and sport. [Read more]
China's sporting culture: a free exhibition at the Bastille Design Center
During the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, the collections of the Chinese Sports Museum are moving to the Bastille Design Center, in order to present never-before-seen exhibits and the sports practiced in ancient China to as many people as possible! [Read more]
Sport Chic: a free Olympic-inspired couture exhibition in a luxury hotel
Couture takes center stage at the Sofitel Paris Le Faubourg hotel with the free "Sport Chic" fashion exhibition. Until September 15, 2024, rediscover the Paris Olympic Games, in fashion, through couture, glamour and sportswear creations displayed in the hotel's lobby and windows. [Read more]
The free exhibition "Bijoux de scène de la Comédie Française" extended at Hôtel Mercy-Argenteau
The Hôtel de Mercy-Argenteau, a magnificent 18th-century town house on the Grands Boulevards in the 9th arrondissement of Paris, opens its doors to visitors for the first time. Listed as a Monument Historique, this architectural gem has been given a facelift to house the École des Arts Joailliers, a school founded with the support of Van Cleef & Arpels. From June 13 to October 13, 2024, the first free exhibition of the Comédie-Française's "Stage Jewels" is on show. We take you on a journey of discovery. Don't forget to book your free tickets! [Read more]
Le monde est à tous.tes: a free multicultural exhibition at the Maison de la Conversation
Contemporary art mingles with sport in a multi-faceted exhibition spanning France's 13 administrative regions, with a topical theme in the Île-de-France region: diversity. "Le monde est à tous.tes" is an ode to multiculturalism, at the heart of the Maison de la Conversation. [Read more]
A matchstick Eiffel Tower takes up residence at Beaugrenelle for a temporary exhibition
During the "Made in Paris" event at Beaugrenelle, a number of monuments are presented in an exhibition, including Richard Plaud's famous Eiffel Tower made of matches, in the Guinness Book 2024! [Read more]
Failures: a Britney Spears group show at Les filles du calvaire gallery
For its new exhibition, the Les Filles du Calvaire gallery in Paris turns its attention to Britney Spears. On view until September 21, 2024, this free installation, entitled "Failures", unveils a series of works imagined around the famous American icon, whose life is paralleled by the universe and story of Alice in Wonderland. [Read more]
Pop artist Philip Colbert's lobsters invade Station F for an unusual free exhibition
Pop and surrealist artist Philip Colbert installs his giant lobsters in Station F, for a colorful and unusual exhibition to discover from July 9 to August 2, 2024. [Read more]
Sport and the Renaissance: a free exhibition on ancient sports at the Musée de la Renaissance
The Château d'Ecouen -musée national de la Renaissance invites us to discover 16th-century sports, with the free exhibition "Sport and the Renaissance", on view from July 1 to November 5, 2024. [Read more]
Free exhibition of Eva Jospin's cardboard worlds at Galleria Continua in the Marais district of Paris
Galleria Continua invites you on an escapade to Eva Jospin's imaginary land, on the occasion of her free exhibition "Tromper l'oeil", on view until September 14, 2024. The French artist, a virtuoso of cardboard sculptures, has erected a new world on the second floor of the Galerie du Marais that invites you to explore and dream. [Read more]
Sport before the Games: a free exhibition at the Maison de Balzac
The Maison de Balzac is also into sports... But not necessarily Olympic sport. The museum is hosting a free exhibition on Sport before the Games, on view from May 22 to September 15, 2024. [Read more]
Parasport in Japan: free photo exhibition at the Maison de la Culture du Japon
Japan's House of Culture invites us to admire the prowess of Paralympic athletes, with the free exhibition "Parasport in Japan, Yesterday and Today", on view from August 27 to September 13, 2024. [Read more]
Cultures en Jeux, a photo exhibition on the opening ceremonies of the Olympic Games at Unesco
From June 24 to September 15, 2024, Unesco is exhibiting photographic archives of Olympic Games opening and closing ceremonies over the decades, outdoors. [Read more]
"Becoming Karl Lagerfeld": free exhibition of costumes and sets from the series, at BHV Marais
"Becoming Karl Lagerfeld", Disney+'s event series, arrives at BHV Marais for a free behind-the-scenes exhibition. From June 7 to August 11, 2024, head to the department store's Observatory to step back in time to the seventies and discover the costumes & set elements from the series. [Read more]
Under the sun of savoir-faire: discover the Maîtres d'art exhibition at Espace Richaud
For the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, the Espace Richaud in Versailles is hosting the exhibition "Sous le soleil des savoir-faire, Les Maîtres d'art à Versailles" from June 19 to September 22. Come and discover 100 unique creations by 33 exceptional craftsmen, highlighting rare and precious skills handed down from generation to generation. Guided tours, detailed explanations and enriching encounters await you! [Read more]
LVMH Olympiad: OR NORME, the free, gilded photo exhibition at Maison Guerlain in Paris
The House of Guerlain adorns itself in gold with the free photo exhibition "OR NORME", celebrating the intimate link between the perfumer and this precious metal. From June 6 to September 12, 2024, no fewer than sixteen artists transform 68 Champs-Élysées into a golden temple, exploring gold in all its forms. Free admission. [Read more]
"Composition for an Ensemble, or The Spirit of the Games", Clive Holden's free exhibition at the Canadian Cultural Centre
From May 17 to September 8, 2024, the Canadian Cultural Centre presents “Composition for an Ensemble, or The Spirit of The Games”, an exhibition by Canadian filmmaker and digital artist, Clive Holden. [Read more]
Noli, Korean games: the free, fun exhibition at the Korean Cultural Centre
The Korean Cultural Center offers a fascinating and entertaining tour of Korean games, from the 18th century to the present day, from vintage toys to video games, in a free exhibition from May 24 to October 5, 2024! [Read more]
Rive droite/Rive gauche: the free photo exhibition around the Seine at Quai de la Photo
The love of Parisians for the quays of the Seine is nothing new: the proof in pictures with the photo exhibition presented at Quai de la Photo, to be discovered from June 5 to September 8, 2024. [Read more]
Composition for an Ensemble, or Clive Holden's L'Esprit des Jeux at the Canadian Cultural Centre
New free exhibition at the Canadian Cultural Centre! In the year of the Paris Olympic and Paralympic Games, the Centre culturel in the capital's 8th arrondissement invites Canadian filmmaker Clive Holden. A specialist in the digital arts, Holden is interested in the representation of celebrity and fame through the eyes of sports photographers. [Read more]
The Next Renaissance - A Taste of the Invisible: the exhibition at the Goethe-Institut
The Goethe-Institut de Paris invites you to discover its new free exhibition, entitled The Next Renaissance - A Taste of the Invisible, from May 13 to August 27, 2024. Explore how art, technology and science come together to transform our perception of the world. An exhibition that promises an immersion in avant-garde works, redefining the boundaries between artistic and scientific disciplines. Opening May 13, 7pm. [Read more]
140 years of creative minds in Saint-Germain-des-Prés: Les Deux Magots celebrates its anniversary
Parisian brasserie Les Deux Magots celebrates its 140th anniversary with a free photo exhibition tracing its rich history. On view from April 30 to September 22, 2024. [Read more]
À nous les stades! A history of women's sport: the free exhibition at BnF
Sport isn't just a man's game, and the BnF François-Mitterand intends to remind us of this in a free exhibition on women's sport, from May 22 to October 13, 2024! [Read more]
Sentience exhibition, listening to the scent of color at Abbaye de Maubuisson
Discover the "Sentience, écouter le parfum de la couleur" exhibition at Abbaye de Maubuisson, a unique event combining contemporary art and historical tradition. From April 10 to September 1, 2024, immerse yourself in a synesthetic journey that engages all your senses, in partnership with the Musée d'archéologie du Val d'Oise and the Musée François Tillequin. An immersive experience that will awaken your perception and enrich your understanding of cultures through perfume and incense. [Read more]
Le Corps en mouvement: when sport and art meet in the collections of the Petit Palais
The Petit Palais is showcasing its permanent collections, and linking sport and art with a brand new exhibition: discover "Le corps en mouvement" free of charge from May 15 to November 17 2024. [Read more]
Sport from the sky: the free photo exhibition on the walls of Bercy Village unveiled
The Bercy Village open-air shopping center is hosting a new exhibition from April 18 to September 15, 2024. Artist Edouard Salmon presents "Sport from the sky". [Read more]
Imaginary worlds: the dreamlike sculpture exhibition at Espace Monte-Cristo - photos
Poetic, dreamlike, surprising: with its new free exhibition, Espace Monte-Cristo aims to awaken our childlike hearts. Discover Imaginary Worlds from April 13 to December 15, 2024. [Read more]
Faisons corps: the free exhibition exploring intimacy at the Maif Social Club unveiled
The Maif Social Club is organizing a group exhibition on the body, intimacy and identity. From March 30, 2024 to January 4, 2025, visit Faisons corps free of charge. [Read more]
Beauty and Gesture: six sculptures celebrating Olympism in front of the French National Assembly
From April 2 and for the duration of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, six sculptures will be inviting themselves onto the steps of the Palais Bourbon, imagined by artist Laurent Perbos, to represent Olympism. This outdoor installation is free to discover! [Read more]
1974 - Simone Veil's speech: a free exhibition at the National Archives
The National Archives are organizing an exhibition based on Simone Veil's speech on the abortion law. This free exhibition runs from March 8 to September 2, 2024. [Read more]
Police and sport: esprit de corps, culture du corps: the Préfecture de Police museum exhibition
From March 7 to September 22, 2024, the Musée de la Préfecture de Police presents "Police et sport: esprit de corps, culture du corps", a free exhibition focusing on sporting practices. [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]
Viking heroes: a free exhibition combining history and culture at the Val d'Oise archaeological museum
The Musée d'archéologique du Val d'Oise introduces us to the world of the Vikings, between history and imaginary clichés, with the Viking Heroes exhibition on view from February 10 to December 29, 2024. [Read more]
Demain est annulé: the exhibition that questions our future at the EDF Foundation - our photos
The EDF Foundation questions our societies and our consumption habits, in a free exhibition. Discover "Demain est annulé", from January 17 to September 29, 2024. [Read more]
Aux Beaux Carrés, Daniel Buren's free, monumental and immersive exhibition at Le Bon Marché
For its latest carte blanche, Le Bon Marché Rive Gauche welcomes Daniel Buren's free exhibition "Aux Beaux Carrés : travaux in situ". The installation, conceived in 2 acts from January 9 to February 18, 2024, then from June 29 to August 15, 2024, transcends the space of the department store to offer new luminous and colorful perspectives to visitors. [Read more]
Soldats sportifs: the photo exhibition on sport in the army at the Musée de la Grande Guerre
For almost a year, the Musée de la Grande Guerre (Great War Museum) will be showcasing sporting practices in the army, with an exceptional free photographic exhibition on the forecourt. [Read more]
Notre-Dame de Paris at the heart of the construction site, the free exhibition under the forecourt in photos
The Notre-Dame de Paris: au coeur du chantier exhibition, which takes place beneath the cathedral's forecourt, is now unveiled. From March 7, 2023, until the monument reopens, discover the work of the hundreds of men and women who are rebuilding the cathedral. It's an opportunity to immerse yourself in the highlights of the titanic construction site, to discover the work of the journeymen and craftsmen, and the challenges of reconstruction. [Read more]
And in this beautiful month of summer, don't forget to hydrate regularly between two exhibitions!
Dates and Opening Time
From August 1, 2024 to August 31, 2027
Prices
Free