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Photography exhibitions in Paris

79 exhibitions on show in Paris — 47 of them free (59%), median entry price €14 and 24 closing within two weeks. Listings updated on .

Photography occupies a far wider network in Paris than its two flagship houses. Maison Européenne de la Photographie and Jeu de Paume are the fixed points, joined by Bourse de Commerce — Pinault Collection, Institut du Monde Arabe, Musée d’Orsay, Musée de l’Homme and Mémorial de la Shoah for documentary hangs. On top of that sits a considerable municipal network: Bibliothèque historique de la Ville de Paris, Médiathèque Françoise Sagan and neighbourhood libraries mount photographic exhibitions all year, almost always with no admission charge.

That is what sets this subject apart: photography is the most frequently free-to-enter theme in the Paris catalogue. A large share of hangs take place in public buildings with open admission, no ticket and no time slot, open during the institution’s own hours — which sometimes means closed on Sunday and Monday, unlike museums. Conversely, the big retrospectives at the dedicated institutions behave like painting shows: timed tickets, heavy weekend attendance, a far more comfortable visit on a weekday.

This page gathers the photography exhibitions open or announced in Paris, each listing carrying the venue, the run and, where admission is charged, the lowest price found with a link to the official ticket page. The ranking puts what closes soonest first, because a photography hang often runs for less time than a museum exhibition: a few weeks in a gallery or a library against several months in an institution. Paid tickets most often sit between ten and fifteen euros.

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79 exhibitions · closing soonest first

Frequently asked questions

Are photography exhibitions in Paris free?

Many are. Libraries, cultural centres and galleries mount photographic hangs all year with no admission charge; the dedicated institutions charge for their big retrospectives. Each card shows which is which.

Which are the main photography venues in Paris?

Maison Européenne de la Photographie and Jeu de Paume are the two fixed points, alongside Bourse de Commerce — Pinault Collection and a wide municipal library network.

Why do these shows run for such a short time?

Gallery and library hangs typically last a few weeks, against several months for a museum exhibition. That is why this page ranks by closing date, soonest first.