What if you could travel back in time without leaving the capital? You don't need a DeLorean or any other time machine straight out of an H.G. Wells novel to do this: the museums of Paris and its suburbs do the job very well, and many of them have great historical exhibitions to tell you all about the various eras of the past.
Whether it's thehistory of France or of other countries around the world, there's something for every taste and desire... And for all ages! Take a trip to the Musée de l'Armée, for example, to learn all about the history of wars in France and around the world. Or head to the Musée Guimet or the Musée Cernuschi, to immerse yourself in Asian history and culture. You could also opt for the Musée de la Libération de Paris, or the Musée de la Grande Guerre de Meaux, to learn more about the history of the First and Second World Wars... In short, it's the perfect place to learn all about history!
Please note that this guide is updated regularly as we make new discoveries and announcements, so be sure to keep this page handy so you don't miss out on any of the great historical exhibitions to come in Paris and the Île-de-France region! Mark your calendars!
Treasures of the Al Thani Collection, the exhibition at Hôtel de la Marine
The Centre des Monuments nationaux and the Al Thani Collection Foundation unveil the new galleries dedicated to exhibiting the works of Prince Qatar. As of November 18, 2021, come and discover the first temporary exhibition entitled "Treasures from the Al Thani Collection". [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]
In the Seine: an exhibition at the Crypte archéologique reveals the objects found in the Seine
The Archeological Crypt presents an exhibition that's as curious as it is entertaining, revealing objects found in the Seine, from prehistory to the present day. Visit this unique exhibition from January 31, 2024, until the end of the year. [Read more]
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]
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]
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]
New: an open-air trench at the Grande Guerre museum
Sponsored - Follow in the footsteps of the 600,000 men from Black Africa, the West Indies, Oceania, Asia and North Africa who came to fight far from home on the various fronts of the war in Europe in a major exhibition at the Musée de la Grande Guerre. From April 4 to December 30, 2024. The Musée de la Grande Guerre expands! Come and discover an installation never before seen in France: an open-air trench. [Read more]
The birth of department stores, a double exhibition at the heart of these mythical Parisian landmarks
The Musée des Arts Décoratifs and the Cité de l'Architecture take us to the heart of the legendary addresses of Parisian art de vivre with "The Birth of Department Stores", a two-part exhibition. Visit the MAD from April 10 to October 13, 2024, then from October 16, 2024 to March 16, 2025, to discover the history of these temples to fashion right up to the present day. [Read more]
Surrealism: the exceptional 100th anniversary exhibition at the Centre Pompidou takes shape
A very special anniversary is being celebrated at the Centre Pompidou, from September 4, 2024 to January 13, 2025: a major exhibition paying tribute to Surrealism. [Read more]
Masterpieces from the Galleria Borghese: Italian exhibition extended at Musée Jacquemart-André
The Musée Jacquemart-André reopens its doors in September 2024: to mark the occasion, the museum is showing Masterpieces from the Galerie Borghèse from September 6, 2024 to February 9, 2025. [Read more]
Silex and the City: the prehistory comic book exhibition at the Musée de l'Homme
Comic artist Jul brings his humorous world to the Musée de l'Homme: from September 11 to December 29, 2024, discover the Silex and the City exhibition. [Read more]
Quai de la Photo celebrates the bicentenary of the invention of photography with a free exhibition
Celebrate 200 years of history and creativity! Discover the free exhibition celebrating the bicentenary of the invention of photography at Quai de la Photo, from September 16 to December 22, 2024. [Read more]
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]
Treasures: a free exhibition exploring the thousand-year-old history of Argenteuil (95)
Until March 2, 2025, the town of Argenteuil has brought out its archives and its finest artistic and historical treasures to present them to you in an exhibition that traces the fascinating history of this Val-d'Oise commune. [Read more]
Baignade en Seine, toute une histoire: the Musée des Égouts de Paris small exhibition
Once possible, swimming in the Seine was banned in 1923 for health reasons. But 102 years on, Parisians may well set foot in it again! A history explored by the Musée des Egouts, until December 31, 2024! [Read more]
Zombies: death is not the end? The Frontiers of Life exhibition at the Musée du Quai Branly
The Musée du Quai Branly plunges us into the mysteries of life and death, with the exhibition Zombis: la mort n'est pas une fin? on view from October 8, 2024 to February 16, 2025. [Read more]
The Atomic Age: the explosive exhibition at the Musée d'Art Moderne de Paris
What has the nuclear bomb inspired in contemporary artists? This is what the Musée d'Art Moderne in Paris is inviting us to discover, in an exhibition that promises to be explosive, from October 11, 2024 to February 9, 2025. [Read more]
Marvels! The 200th anniversary exhibition of the Musée national de Céramique in Sèvres (92)
To celebrate its 200th anniversary, the Musée national de Céramique de Sèvres is pulling out all the stops and opening its "Wonders" exhibition to the public, showcasing hundreds of works from its incredible collection, from prehistory to the present day. [Read more]
Birth and Renaissance of Italian Drawing: the beautiful exhibition at the Fondation Custodia
Immerse yourself in the Italian Renaissance through a selection of drawings by the greatest masters of the period, from Leonardo da Vinci to Michelangelo, at the heart of the Fondation Custodia, from October 12, 2024 to January 12, 2025. [Read more]
Discover the Oudry, Peintre de courre exhibition at the Château de Fontainebleau
From October 13, 2024 to January 27, 2025, the Château de Fontainebleau presents an exceptional exhibition on Jean-Baptiste Oudry, the famous painter of Louis XV's royal hunts. This retrospective showcases his preparatory cartoons and resulting tapestries, as well as objets d'art illustrating the king's passion for hunting. We take you on a journey of discovery through this exhibition of exceptional, restored works. [Read more]
Grotte Chauvet, l'aventure scientifique: immerse yourself in prehistoric art with the Cité des Sciences
The Cité des Sciences takes us on a voyage of discovery of the Chauvet cave, a Paleolithic treasure trove, with a brand-new exhibition on view from October 15, 2024 to May 11, 2025. Fun, interactive and, above all, educational: come and take a behind-the-scenes look at this famous French cave! [Read more]
L'intime, de la chambre aux réseaux sociaux: the exhibition that questions our secret gardens at MAD
The Musée des Arts Décoratifs invites us into our most personal, intimate spaces, in a major exhibition presented from October 15, 2024 to March 30, 2025. Come and visit "L'intime, de la chambre aux réseaux sociaux". [Read more]
Paris 1793-1794, a revolutionary year: the Musée Carnavalet's surprising historical exhibition
If the French Revolution is an event well known to all, 1793-1794 marks an important year in our history. The Musée Carnavalet explores this date in an exhibition running from October 16, 2024 to February 16, 2025. [Read more]
On horseback: the painting exhibition at the Musée national de la Renaissance - Château d'Ecouen
The Musée National de la Renaissance explores the art of equestrian portraiture with the exhibition "A cheval", on view from October 16, 2024 to January 27, 2025. [Read more]
Made in France, a textile history: the free exhibition at the National Archives
In a free exhibition, the Archives Nationales tell the story of textiles "Made in France" with a collection of unique samples, from the most popular to the most luxurious fabrics, from October 16, 2024 to January 27, 2025. [Read more]
Figures du fou at the Musée du Louvre: a zany exhibition to discover - our photos
Are you crazy? Yes, we are! Everyone's crazy in the Louvre Museum's new exhibition, Figures du Fou: du Moyen-Âge aux Romantiques, on view from October 16, 2024 to February 3, 2025. A plunge into the history of the madman and his representation through the ages. [Read more]
Three centuries at Isle Adam: the Musée d'Art et d'Histoire Louis Senlecq's bucolic exhibition
The Musée d'Art et d'Histoire Louis-Senlecq invites you to discover the history of L'Isle-Adam, in the Val-d'Oise, through an exhibition that takes you on a journey through time and the region's natural landscapes, from October 20, 2024 to September 21, 2025. [Read more]
Between food and words: the immersive and sensory mini-exhibition at Victor Hugo's table
Dine with Victor Hugo as you visit Maison Haviland's sensory mini-exhibition, showcasing its new porcelain collection, amidst a table that honors the writer. [Read more]
Darkness and light: the retrospective exhibition on the painter Ribera at the Petit Palais
The Petit Palais is organizing a retrospective exhibition in tribute to one of the greatest painters of his time: Jusepe de Ribera. Come and discover the works of this artist of contrasts, with the exhibition Darkness and Light, from November 5, 2024 to February 23, 2025. [Read more]
La Saga des Grands Magasins, the exhibition at the Cité de l'Architecture et du Patrimoine unveiled
The Cité de l'Architecture et du Patrimoine unveils a fantastic exhibition on the fascinating history of Parisian department stores, from 1850 to the present day. From November 6, 2024 to April 6, 2025, discover their history, architecture and evolution since the Second Empire. [Read more]
Christofle: Une Brillante Histoire, the goldsmith's house's sublime exhibition at MAD Paris
The Musée des Arts Décoratifs is preparing to light up your autumn with the exhibition "Christofle: A Brilliant History", from November 14, 2024 to April 20, 2025. Discover how this legendary house has reinvented the art of goldsmithing since the 1830s, through 1,000 dazzling pieces - from cutlery to jewelry to contemporary art - deployed in a magical immersive scenography. [Read more]
Browse Notre-Dame, the cathedral's medieval manuscript exhibition at the Musée de Cluny
To coincide with the reopening of Notre-Dame Cathedral, the Musée de Cluny is presenting two exhibitions, including one on masterpieces from its medieval library, organized in conjunction with BnF, from November 19, 2024 to March 16, 2025. [Read more]
Making stones speak, the exhibition on Notre-Dame's medieval sculptures at the Musée de Cluny
To mark the reopening of Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris, the Musée du Moyen-Âge is presenting an exhibition based on its sculpted decor and the stones recovered, providing an opportunity to imagine the monument in medieval times, from November 19, 2024 to March 16, 2025. [Read more]
Lost (marital) illusions: the exhibition on marriage at the Maison de Balzac
From November 20, 2024 to March 30, 2025, the Maison de Balzac's new exhibition explores the theme of marriage and its disillusionment in the 19th century, through the work of the writer and Balzac's contemporaries. [Read more]
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]
Paris, capital of the pearl: the superb free jewelry exhibition at the Hôtel de Mercy-Argenteau
From the origins of the pearl to its use in jewelry, L'École des Arts Joailliers' new free exhibition tells the story of this pearly splendor in the heart of the Hôtel de Mercy-Argenteau, from November 21, 2024 to June 1, 2025. [Read more]
Un Abécédaire littéraire parisien, d'Aragon à Zola: the free exhibition at galerie Roger-Viollet
Galerie Roger-Viollet plunges us into literary Paris with an original photo exhibition on view from November 21, 2024 to February 1, 2025. [Read more]
Bijoux de scène de l'Opéra de Paris: an exhibition of marvellous jewellery at the Palais Garnier
The Opéra national de Paris raises the curtain on a dazzling exhibition! From November 28 to March 28, 2025, the Bibliothèque-musée du Palais Garnier will be exhibiting the stage jewels that illuminate its shows. Between pomp and trompe l'œil, these sparkling jewels reveal their secrets and transport visitors to the heart of the history and magic of stagecraft. The exhibition is available as part of a visit to the Palais Garnier. [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]
Magic! Our photos of the Musée de la Carte à Jouer's playful exhibition of magic tricks.
With a flick of the wand, the Musée de la Carte à Jouer plunges us into the world of 19th-century magic, with its "Magique!" exhibition, on view from December 18, 2024 to August 14, 2025. We dropped in for a tour... We tell you all about it! [Read more]
La Cité de l'Histoire, our test of the immersive French History experience at La Défense
Ready to plunge into the great History of France? The first Cité de l'Histoire is opening its doors in La Défense's Grande Arche, with a fun, immersive tour of our shared past. [Read more]
La Cité Immersive Viking: the historical experience arrives at Westfield Carré Sénart (77)
Immerse yourself in the Viking era in France with an immersive, sensory experience, starting December 20, 2024, at the Westfield Carré Sénart, featuring sound and light shows, sets and artifact displays. [Read more]
History in bricks at Les Invalides: a fun family exhibition at the Musée de l'Armée
Rediscover the History of France interactively with your family, through spectacular LEGO and COBI creations at the heart of the Musée de l'Armée, from December 21, 2024 to January 12, 2025. [Read more]
Revisiting Cimabue: medieval Italian painting on show at the Musée du Louvre
The Musée du Louvre pays tribute to the revolutionary master of 13th-century Italian painting: Cimabue. An exhibition to discover from January 22 to May 12 2025. [Read more]
Apocalypse, yesterday and tomorrow: the end-of-the-world exhibition at BnF François-Mitterrand
Is the apocalypse just around the corner? BnF François-Mitterrand explores this age-old theme in an exhibition from February 4 to June 8, 2025, from the Bible to the present day. [Read more]
Agatha Christie, in search of archaeology: the exhibition at the Musée archéologique du Val d'Oise
Follow in the footsteps of Agatha Christie and her passion for archaeology, thanks to a new exhibition at the Musée archéologique du Val d'Oise, on view from February 8 to December 28, 2025. [Read more]
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]
Fighting exile: the Musée de l'Armée unveils artists' struggles in a new exhibition
During the Second World War, everyone fought in their own way: the Musée de l'Armée pays tribute to artists and intellectuals with the exhibition Un exil combattant, presented from February 26 to June 22, 2025. [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]
Maisons de plaisance around Paris: the Musée du Domaine royal de Marly exhibition
From the Renaissance onwards, the elite left the city for the countryside, and the Domaine royal de Marly, which was one of these popular residences, illustrates this trend in an exhibition running from April 11 to August 31, 2025. [Read more]
The Berlin Wall, a world divided: the exhibition at the Cité de l'Architecture et du Patrimoine
A global symbol of the Cold War, the Berlin Wall divided the city in two for 28 long years. As the German capital celebrates the 35th anniversary of the fall of the wall in 2024, the Cité de l'architecture et du patrimoine in Paris presents a unique exhibition at the heart of this Berlin cut in two. "The Berlin Wall. A world divided" is on view from May 21 to September 28, 2025. [Read more]
Le Grand Dauphin, fils de roi, père de roi et jamais roi: the exhibition at the Château de Versailles
Prince Louis de France, known as Monseigneur or the Grand Dauphin, was Louis XIV's eldest son, yet he never acceded to the throne. The Château de Versailles revisits his story in an exhibition opening on October 14, 2025. [Read more]
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]
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]
Enjoy your visit, folks!
