Welcome to the cultural and artistic world of the French capital, where every year brings its share of captivating and enriching exhibitions. The year 2023 is no exception, with a plethora offascinating exhibitions that will amaze lovers of art, history and creativity. From painting and sculpture to photography, architecture and much more, Paris is gearing up to host an array of cultural events to satisfy every passion and curiosity. In this article, we present the thirteen must-see exhibitions that will light up the Paris art scene this year, offering visitors the opportunity to discover artistic treasures and captivating stories from around the world. Get ready to plunge into an artistic journey to the heart of Paris, where history, creativity and human expression come together to form a striking picture of the year 2023.
1. The "Harry Potter" exhibition from April 21 to October 15, 2023
From September 6 at Porte de Versailles, the world of Harry Potter opens its doors to you! After the United States and Vienna, J. K. Rowling's world is finally within reach in Paris. This interactive exhibition will let you relive the cult scenes and visit the saga's emblematic locations, such as Hagrid's house and the Hogwarts Express, with the help of immersive technology. You'll also have the chance to go behind the scenes of the Harry Potter and Fantastic Beasts films, using costumes and props from this universe. If this interactive adventure appeals to you, you'll find the "Harry Potter" exhibition at Porte de Versailles open until October 15, 2023, every day from 9am to 7pm.
2. Titanic" exhibition from July 18 to October1, 2023
Present at Porte de Versailles, the "Titanic" exhibition offers an immersive experience into the history of this infamous ship. You'll receive a replica boarding pass, an exact copy of those distributed to real passengers. You'll also receive an audioguide to help you follow the chronology and the planned itinerary. Along the way, you'll discover some 260 objects that once belonged to the liner's deceased passengers. On the menu: a life-size replica of the grand staircase and an immersive screen allowing you to visit the ship live. The exhibition explains how the objects were recovered and the wreck preserved. Admission is €24 full price, €19 concessions and free for children under 4. The exhibition is open daily from 9am to 9pm at 1 place de la Porte de Versailles - 75015 Paris.
3. The "Felines" exhibition from March 22, 2023 to January 7, 2024
Felines, a fascinating family of mammals, are among the most represented and appreciated animals. There are no fewer than 38 species of feline, from the best-known such as the cat, tiger and lion, to the most original such as the fishing cat. This public exhibition from the Muséum National d'Histoire Naturelle invites you to discover all these species and their different lifestyles. Admission prices range from €10 to €13, and the exhibition is open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. every day except Tuesdays.
4. Nicolas de Staël" exhibition from September 15, 2023 to January 2024
Nicolas de Staël is one of France's leading post-war artists. This exhibition is a retrospective of the artist's career, highlighting both the highlights and lesser-known aspects of his career. You'll discover nearly 200 works of art (paintings, notebooks, prints) from private and public collections. Some of these works are being shown for the first time in a French museum. The exhibition runs at the Musée d'Art Moderne in Paris from September 15, 2023 to January 2024. Admission is €15 full price, €13 concessions and free for under-18s, Tuesday to Sunday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
5. The Van Gogh exhibition at Auvers-sur-Oise from October 3, 2023 to February 4, 2024
This exhibition is entirely devoted to works of art by the famous painter Vincent Van Gogh, created in Auvers-sur-Oise during the last two months of his life. Masterpieces include Doctor Paul Gachet, The Church at Auvers-sur-Oise among the 74 paintings produced during this period. The exhibition features some forty paintings and twenty drawings, including a series of paintings in elongated double-square format. The exhibition is on view at the Musée d'Orsay every day except Monday, from 9.30 a.m. to 6 p.m.
6. The Amedeo Modigliani exhibition from September 20, 2023 to January 15, 2024
Discover the meeting between Amedo Modigliani and Paul Guillaume and the relationship between the dealer and the painter. Trace this emblematic moment that gave rise to a series of portraits of the painter that would become famous and shake up Amedo Modigliani's career. The exhibition runs at theMusée de l'Orangerie from September 20, 2023 to January 15, 2024, every day except Tuesday, from 9am to 6pm. Admission is €12.50 for full-price, time-stamped tickets, €10 for reduced-price, time-stamped tickets, children's tickets and night tickets, and free for under-18s and under-26s resident in the USA.
7. Dans le cœur de la vague" exhibition from June 26 to August 30, 2023
"Dans le cœur de la vague" is a free immersive exhibition at the Korean Cultural Center in the 8th arrondissement. Discover the poetry of Busan through sublime video mappings created by South Korean studios and artists. This authentic experience opens its doors to you from June 26 to August 30, 2023, to let you discover its six paintings representing Busan according to the authors' visions.
8. The Chagall at Work exhibition from October 4, 2023 to February 26, 2024
The exhibition features 127 drawings, seven sculptures and five ceramics by Marc Chagall, all of which entered the collection in 2022 thanks to Bella and Meret Meyer. These include preparatory drawings for Igor Stravinsky's ballet L'Oiseau de Feu, ceramics and sculptures dating from 1950, and sketches for the decoration of the Opéra dating from 1962. The exhibition runs from October 4, 2023 to February 26, 2024, except Tuesdays, at the Centre Pompidou. Admission is €15, €12 for reduced rates and free for under-18s and EU under-26s.
9. The Fashion and Sport exhibition from September 20, 2023 to April 7, 2024
This exhibition highlights the impact of sportswear on contemporary fashion through various forms such as photographs, magazines, videos and nearly 450 pieces! So discover what brings fashion and sport together in this brand-new experience set up in the run-up to the 2024 Olympic Games. It is available at the Musée des Arts Décoratifs from September 20, 2023 to April 7, 2024, Tuesday to Sunday, 11am to 6pm, at a cost of €14, and free for under-26s.
10. The "Noir & Blanc" exhibition
Visible at the Bibliothèque nationale de France François-Mitterrand, this exhibition features black & white photographic works taken directly from the BNF's collections. Among these 300 prints are some of the most famous names in photography, including Ansel Adams, Willy Ronis, Nadar, Diane Arbus and many others! Nearly one hundred and fifty years of history will unfold before your eyes. It's open from 10am to 7pm on weekdays (except Mondays) and from 1pm to 7pm on Sundays. Admission is €10 full price and €8 concessions.
11. The exhibition Corps à Corps from September 6, 2023 to March 25, 2024
Here's another photography exhibition available at the Centre Pompidou. No fewer than five hundred photographs by contemporary photographers will give you an insight into photographic representations of the human race in the 20th and 21st centuries. You'll be able to see the differences and similarities between the various photographers, and draw your own conclusions about the evolution and state of the art. The exhibition can be visited from September 6, 2023 to March 25, 2024, with admission priced at €17 and €14 for concessions.
12. The "Gertrude Stein and Picasso" exhibition from September 13, 2023 to January 21, 2024
(Re)discover the friendship between Gertrude Stein and Picasso in this exhibition celebrating the fiftieth anniversary of the painter's death. You'll travel through a century of theater, art and poetry through the unforgettable figures of the time. This exhibition is open from September 13, 2023 to January 21, 2024 at the Musée du Luxembourg, Monday to Friday. Admission is free for under-16s. If you are aged between 16 and 25, from 4pm Monday to Friday, you will receive one free ticket for every ticket purchased at the "special youth" rate.
13. The Peter Doig exhibition from October 17, 2023 to January 21, 2024
Considered one of the most important living painters, Peter Doig has decided to present some of his paintings at the Musée d'Orsay! As his first monographic exhibition in France in 15 years, the show is eagerly awaited. It is open all week except Monday, from 9.30 am to 6 pm. Admission is €16 for full-price, time-stamped tickets, €13 for reduced-price, time-stamped tickets and children's tickets, €12 at night and free for EU residents under 18 and under 26.
