Contemporary art exhibitions in Paris

57 exhibitions on show in Paris — 32 of them free (56%), median entry price €13 and 15 closing within two weeks. Listings updated on .

Contemporary art plays out in Paris on three very different scales, and that is what makes the subject hard to browse without a list. Art centres first, of which Palais de Tokyo is the most prolific in our catalogue, with hangs that turn over several times a year. Institutions next — Musée d’Art Moderne de Paris, Grand Palais, Hôtel de la Marine, Musée Rodin, Musée Bourdelle — which invite living artists into heritage buildings. Galleries and independent spaces last, from Le BAL to Magasins Généraux, where you see what is not yet institutional.

These three scales share neither durations nor conditions of access. An art centre runs a two-to-four-month season and sells a ticket at the door; a gallery shows an artist for a few weeks, admission open and no booking, but often closes on Sunday and Monday. Checking the closing day before you travel is worth more here than anywhere else: a gallery’s calendar has nothing in common with a museum’s, and nothing on the street tells you.

This page gathers the contemporary art exhibitions open or announced in Paris, at every scale, with the venue, the run, the lowest entry price found and a link to the official ticket page where there is one. The ranking puts what closes soonest first — the most useful order for a subject where hangs are short. Paid tickets most often sit between ten and twenty euros, and a large share of independent spaces charge nothing at all.

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57 exhibitions · closing soonest first

Frequently asked questions

Where do I see contemporary art in Paris?

At art centres such as Palais de Tokyo, at institutions that invite living artists into heritage buildings, and at independent galleries. This page lists all three at once.

Are Paris galleries free to enter?

As a rule, yes — but they often close on Sunday and Monday, unlike museums. Check the venue page linked from the listing before travelling.

How long do contemporary art shows run?

An art centre season lasts two to four months; a gallery show a few weeks. The list is ordered by closing date so the most urgent appear first.