They led exceptional lives, revolutionized their fields, changed history or produced masterpieces admired by generations of visitors... They deserve to be in the spotlight, at the heart of an exhibition devoted to their lives and careers.
These individuals - artists, politicians, geniuses - are honored by museums and art galleries, through an unprecedented retrospective. These exhibitions enable us to get to know these great figures who have had such a major impact on our lives or on art.
So it's decided, we're off to discover one of these beautiful retrospective exhibitions! Yes, but which one? To find out, all you have to do is choose the one that appeals to you most, from our selection below. We've compiled a list of the top retrospective exhibitions to see right now and in the weeks to come in Paris and the Paris region.
This guide is updated regularly, according to the programs of museums and art venues in Paris and the Île-de-France region. Don't hesitate to come back to this page often to find out what's new!
LV Dream by Louis Vuitton: free exhibition, boutique, café and chocolate shop
The famous Maison Louis Vuitton opens LV DREAM, a free exhibition and gift store that also features a café and a chocolate shop in collaboration with Chef Pâtissier Maxime Frédéric of Cheval Blanc Paris. While the exhibition is by reservation only, the boutique and café are open to the public. [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]
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]
Robert Doisneau, l'esprit de résistance: the extended exhibition at the Musée de la Résistance Nationale
The Musée de la Résistance nationale lifts the veil on a little-known period in Robert Doisneau's life, in an exhibition to be discovered from October 15, 2023 to October 13, 2024. [Read more]
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]
Andres Serrano - Portraits of America: the photo exhibition unveiled at the Musée Maillol - promo
The Musée Maillol in Paris is devoting a groundbreaking exhibition to photographer Andres Serrano from April 27 to October 20, 2024, for a look at America as you've never seen it before! Tickets open on April 17! [Read more]
Comic strip exhibition at the Centre Pompidou: Comics on every floor
Comics exhibition in Paris: From May 29 to November 4, 2024, discover "La BD à tous les étages" at the Centre Pompidou. An event dedicated to the 9th art, giving you a rendezvous with Hergé, Corto Maltese, and much more, across every level of this iconic cultural institution. [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]
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]
Retrospective: Leonor Fini's surreal exhibition at Galerie Minsky
The Minsky Gallery honors the work of Leonor Fini with an exhibition on Surrealism, entitled Retrospective, in collaboration with the Centre Pompidou, from September 5 to November 2, 2024. Discover rarely exhibited paintings, drawings, masks and theatrical creations, for a unique journey into the dreamlike, androgynous universe of this key figure in Surrealist art. [Read more]
Gilbert Peyre's Electromechanomaniac exhibition at Halle Saint Pierre - our photos
From September 15 to December 15, 2024, La Halle Saint Pierre, next to the Sacré-Cœur, is devoting an exhibition to artist Gilbert Peyre, entitled "L'Electromécanomaniaque". An artist who reinvents art brut through poetic and intriguing machine-sculptures, combining recycled objects and high technology. [Read more]
Exhibition at Halle Saint-Pierre: discover the works of Malcolm de Chazal - our photos
Attention contemporary art lovers... From September 11, 2024 to January 19, 2025, La Halle Saint Pierre, just a stone's throw from the Sacré Cœur, will be presenting an exhibition of works by Malcolm de Chazal. This retrospective invites you to explore the poetic and pictorial universe of this Mauritian artist, with its blend of nature, spirituality and vibrant colors. [Read more]
Harriet Backer, the music of colors: the Musée d'Orsay's poetic exhibition unveiled
The Musée d'Orsay invites us to meet Harriet Backer, the famous Norwegian painter, in a gentle, poetic exhibition on view from September 24, 2024 to January 12, 2025. [Read more]
Lesage, 100 years of fashion and decoration: the free couture exhibition at Galerie du 19M
Lesage celebrates its centenary with a free retrospective exhibition in Paris! From September 26 to January 5, 2024, visit the Galerie du 19M to go behind the scenes of this famous embroidery and weaving house, with haute couture creations and immersive installations, not to mention workshops to introduce you, too, to the art of thread! [Read more]
Chantal Akerman - Travelling: a tribute to the filmmaker at the Jeu de Paume
The Jeu de Paume honors filmmaker and artist Chantal Akerman with an original photo exhibition from September 28, 2024 to January 19, 2025. [Read more]
Family ties: Tina Barney explores family ties in exhibition at Jeu de Paume
Family can be complicated... But with Tina Barney, it's always aesthetic, and full of hidden messages... Discover Family Ties, a photo exhibition at the Jeu de Paume from September 28, 2024 to January 19, 2025. [Read more]
35 years of ANDAM: the avant-garde and audacious fashion exhibition at the Musée des Arts Décoratifs
The avant-garde of fashion is on show at the Musée des Arts Décoratifs from October 1, 2024 to March 30, 2025. To mark the anniversary of ANDAM (Association nationale pour le développement des arts de la mode), the exhibition "Mode - Nouvelles Générations: 35 ans de l'ANDAM" (Fashion - New Generations: 35 years of ANDAM) takes you on a journey of discovery of 30 silhouettes and accessories that have redrawn the boundaries of fashion, featuring Martin Margiela, Marine Serre, Y/Project and many others. [Read more]
Heinz Berggruen, a dealer and his collection: modern art at the Musée de l'Orangerie exhibition
The Musée de l'Orangerie invites us to discover Heinz Berggruen and his rich collection of modern art, in a new exhibition on view from October 2, 2024 to January 27, 2025. [Read more]
Tarsila do Amaral exhibition at the Musée du Luxembourg - our photos
The Musée du Luxembourg is devoting an exhibition to the works of Tarsila do Amaral, an emblematic figure of Brazilian modernism, from October 9, 2024 to February 2, 2025. Entitled "Tarsila do Amaral. Painting Modern Brazil", this retrospective explores Tarsila do Amaral's rich heritage of indigenous influences, modernism and the anthropophagic movement. [Read more]
Josephsohn as seen by Albert Oehlen: a tribute exhibition at the Musée d'Art Moderne, Paris
The Musée d'Art Moderne in Paris is organizing a retrospective dedicated to the sculptor Hans Josephsohn, to be shown from October 11, 2024 to February 16, 2025. [Read more]
Olga de Amaral: an XXL retrospective for this abstract artist at the Fondation Cartier
The Fondation Cartier honors Colombian artist Olga de Amaral in a major retrospective running from October 12, 2024 to March 16, 2025. [Read more]
Jackson Pollock, the early years: the retrospective exhibition at the Musée Picasso Paris
The Musée Picasso Paris is organizing a major retrospective in tribute to the American master of abstract painting, Jackson Pollock. Don't miss this exhibition running from October 15, 2024 to January 19, 2025. [Read more]
Mehdi Qotbi retrospective: the poetic exhibition at the Institut du Monde Arabe
The Institut du Monde Arabe is organizing a major retrospective in tribute to artist Mehdi Qotbi. Discover the painter's colorful works in an exhibition running from October 15, 2024 to January 5, 2025. [Read more]
Martine Syms exhibition at Lafayette Anticipations
Attention contemporary art lovers! American artist Martine Syms takes over Lafayette Anticipations for a retrospective exhibition unique in France, from October 16, 2024 to February 9, 2025. A truly immersive experience where art and commerce meet in an innovative concept store... Immerse yourself in the world of Martine Syms through her works and collaborative objects! [Read more]
Perspective: the art of Richard Peduzzi unveiled in an exhibition at Mobilier national
The Mobilier national - Galerie des Gobelins pays tribute to the artist Richard Peduzzi, in an exhibition on view from October 16 to December 31, 2024. [Read more]
Praesentia: Myriam Mihindou's exhibition at the Palais de Tokyo
The Palais de Tokyo hosts "Praesentia", a retrospective of the work of artist Myriam Mihindou, from October 17, 2024 to January 5, 2025. Through twenty years of creations, this exhibition explores themes linked to spirituality, memory and politics, while offering a reflection on minoritized narratives and collective healing. [Read more]
Tituba, the group show at the Palais de Tokyo
An exhibition about spiritual protection... This is what the Palais de Tokyo has in store for you with "Tituba, qui pour nous protéger?", on view from October 17, 2024 to January 5, 2025. This group show brings together eleven artists from the Caribbean and African diasporas, exploring the links between memory, mourning, migration and spiritual protection. Through sculptures, films, photographs and installations, discover an artistic reflection on ancestrality and the invisible. [Read more]
Barbara Chase-Riboud exhibition at the Palais de Tokyo: "When a knot is untied, a god is set free".
The Palais de Tokyo is devoting an exhibition to the works of Barbara Chase-Riboud, a major figure in contemporary art, entitled "Quand un nœud est délié, un dieu est libéré", from October 17, 2024 to January 5, 2025. Sculptor, poet and novelist, the artist unveils her recent works, exploring the history of the African diaspora and the struggles for civil rights. An immersion in a universe between abstraction and figuration, through bronzes, embroidered works and literary installations. [Read more]
Jacques Prévert, dreamer of images: the poetic exhibition at the Musée de Montmartre
The Musée de Montmartre invites you to discover a little-known facet of the poet Jacques Prévert: come and meet the artist through a brand-new exhibition presented from October 18, 2024 to February 16, 2025. [Read more]
Philippe Prost, la mémoire vive: the retrospective exhibition at the Cité de l'Architecture
The Cité de l'Architecture et du Patrimoine pays tribute to Philippe Prost, with a retrospective exhibition highlighting the architect's career and creations. On view from October 18, 2024 to March 23, 2025. [Read more]
Stephen Jones, artists' hats: the unusual and creative exhibition at the Palais Galliera
The Palais Galliera pays tribute to milliner Stephen Jones, in an exhibition dedicated to the art of the hat. On view from October 19, 2024 to March 16, 2025. [Read more]
Federico Pietrella exhibits his pointillist date-stamped canvases at Sobering Galerie
Artist Federico Pietrella returns to Paris' Sobering Galerie with his exhibition "Nulla due volte, Nothing twice", from October 19 to November 7, 2024. Through his date-stamping technique, he captures time and the ephemeral, creating works in which every moment becomes an irreversible visual trace. [Read more]
"Nadia Léger. Une femme d'avant-garde": an exhibition at the Musée Maillol
The little-known life of Nadia Khodossievitch-Léger can be discovered at a new exhibition in Paris, entitled "Nadia Léger. Une femme d'avant-garde". Not to be missed at the Musée Maillol from November 8, 2024 to March 23, 2025, this retrospective, combining art and history, looks back at the fascinating career of this artist, painter, magazine publisher, Resistance fighter and Communist activist. [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 100 dazzling pieces - from cutlery to jewelry to contemporary art - deployed in a magical immersive scenography. [Read more]
Ravel Boléro: the musical exhibition that delights us at the Philharmonie de Paris
The Philharmonie celebrates the 150th anniversary of Maurice Ravel's birth with an exhibition based on his iconic Boléro. Let yourself be lulled by the music from December 3, 2024 to June 15, 2025. [Read more]
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]
Wes Anderson: the event exhibition about the famous director at the Cinémathèque
One of the most acclaimed directors of recent years, Wes Anderson has quickly become a benchmark in international cinema. The Cinémathèque française is organizing his first major retrospective from March 19 to July 27, 2025. [Read more]
Christian Krohg, People of the North: an exhibition dedicated to the Scandinavian painter at the Musée d'Orsay
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 major retrospective to this Norwegian painter, virtually unknown in France, with the exhibition "Christian Krohg. The People of the North". [Read more]
Painters, sculptors, musicians, actors, major figures in French history... There are many individuals to celebrate! Choose the one that interests you, and come and discover theexhibition dedicated to him or her. Enjoy your visit!
