Paris
Art Guide

Established local stalwarts Almine Rech, Perrotin, Galerie Lelong & Co., Galerie Chantal Crousel, and Galerie Templon were all founded in Paris, building a firm foundation for the city's reputation as a global art destination.

Building upon the Parisian heavyweights are international mega-galleries Gagosian, David Zwirner, Galerie Max Hetzler, White Cube, LGDR, and Marian Goodman, who have each opened spaces in Paris. With exceptional programmes and impressive rosters of artists, the presence of these spaces continues to enhance international engagement with Paris' art scene.

Almine Rech opened its doors in 1997 in the 13th arrondissement of Paris. Founded on an axis of California Minimal, Perceptual art, and Conceptual art, the gallery represents canonical modernists such as James Turrell, John McCracken, and Joseph Kosuth. It has continued to develop its programme, and now represents international contemporary art stars including Chloe Wise, Brent Wadden, and Otis Kwame Kye Quaicoe.

Founded in Paris in 1990 by Emmanuel Perrotin at the age of 21, the eponymous mega-gallery is today spread across three spaces in the Marais district. Perrotin's Paris spaces amount to 2,750 square metres (29,600 square feet). Now with branches worldwide, including in Hong Kong, New York, Seoul, Tokyo, Shanghai, and Dubai, Perrotin offers a global playing field for hosting artists from France and beyond—including Bernar Venet, JR, Sophie Calle, Izumi Kato, and Chen Fei.

Galerie Lelong & Co. was founded in 1981 by Daniel Lelong, Jacques Dupin, and Jean Frémon, with a second gallery in New York opened in 1985. Championing the practices of contemporary artists from around the world, Galerie Lelong also supports artists to produce major public commissions.

Established in 1980, Galerie Chantal Crousel presents a diverse range of artists committed to elaborating a universal language through different mediums. Their roster of artists reflects the gallery's international outlook, representing Wade Guyton, Mona Hatoum, Reena Spaulings, Anri Sala, Wolfgang Tillmans, and Haegue Yang, among many others.

Further Ocula Member Galleries in Paris include Dumonteil Contemporary, Galeria Mayoral, Galerie Vazieux, Helene Bailly Gallery, Praz-Delavallade, and Robilant+Voena.

Paris has presented some of history's most ground breaking exhibitions, augmenting the city's status as a global art capital. The city has also produced some of the world's most iconic artists, including Claude Monet, Edgar Degas, and the famous designer Jean Paul Gaultier. The city attracts visitors to see the Eiffel Tower, Parc de la Villette, Arc de Triomphe and its numerous Parisian museums and art spaces.

Some notable institutions include the Picasso Museum, Bourse de Commerce, Musée d'Orsay, Grande Halle de la Villette, and the National Museum of Modern Art. Visitors also are drawn to current and permanent collections found at Capodimonte Museum, Palais Galliera, Petit Palais, Musée de l'Orangerie, Atelier des Lumières, Centre Pompidou, Albert Museum, Fondation Louis Vuitton, and the Louvre's Salle de la Chapelle.

Best Exhibitions to See in Paris

Paris, France, is a magnet for contemporary art in all its forms—paintings, portrait artworks, drawings, sculpture,contemporary photography, virtual reality displays, installation art and more. The permanent collections, temporary exhibits and one-off installations of its museums and exhibition spaces mean cutting-edge contemporary art is permanently on display across the city.

Major exhibitions featuring masterpieces created by French and international contemporary artists are regularly presented by Paris galleries and institutions. Paris was a significant city in the artistic career of Manet, Degas, Monet and their contemporaries, and was a place where Picasso created much of his work. Although originally from Spain, Pablo Picasso's death occurred in France.

Those visiting Paris will discover the city is home to some of the world's most reputable art fairs, attracting thousands from around the globe. FIAC (Foire Internationale d'Art Contemporain) is regarded as one of the most important artfairs in the global contemporary art scene. Paris+ParArtBasel is another art fair dedicated to showcasing the best works from French and international artists.

Whether art enthusiasts wish to see a display of Japanese prints, an exhibit inspired by ancient Egypt, or the personal collection of late Italian painting icons, one will find an exhibition to suit all tastes. View the exhibition profiles to see the artistic highlights of this year. Each profile details the institution or museum's collection and information about the artist, including information for new publications.

World-class exhibitions are always on display in Paris. Stay up-to-date with what's showing in Paris, New York, London, and beyond by subscribing to Ocula's email newsletter, and following Ocula's Paris Art Guide.

Situated in the Beaubourg is the Centre Pompidou, which houses Europe's largest collections of modern and contemporary art. Its iconic high-tech architectural design was conceived by architects Renzo Piano and Richard Rogers, with construction beginning in 1971 and the centre opening in 1977. While the collection is strong in representation of French artists, it includes a significant proportion of works by international artists including Kader Attia, Dominique Gonzalez-Foerster, Kemang Wa Lehulere, Firenze Lai, Ernesto Neto, Roman Ondak, Gabriel Orozco, and Damián Ortega.

At Musee d'Art Moderne de Paris (MAM Paris) you will find a significant collection of artworks spanning the major artistic movements of the 20^th century, as well as contemporary art of the 21^st century. The museum has devoted major exhibitions to artists including Olafur Eliasson, Maurizio Cattelan, Pierre Huyghe, and Zeng Fanzhi.

A stone's throw from MAM Paris is the Palais de Tokyo, Europe's largest dedicated centre for contemporary art. Internationally renowned for its ambitious programming, Palais de Tokyo celebrates experimental, radical, and transgressive projects by artists from France and around the world.

The Jeu de Paume, a centre for modern and postmodern photography, video, and cinema, is situated in the Tuileries Gardens next to the Place de la Concorde. The institution has built a formidable reputation showing artists from Cindy Sherman to Ai Weiwei.

The Maison Européenne de la Photographie is devoted to promoting photography, and has exhibited the works of leading photographers including Helmut Newton and Annie Leibovitz, as well as emerging lens-based artists.

Also worth seeing is LE BAL, an independent space established by legendary French photographer Raymond Depardon, dedicated to the contemporary image in all its forms—photography, video, film, and new media.

Other institutions worth a visit include the Cité de la Mode et du Design, Le Gaîté Lyrique, and the Bourse de Commerce. The later is a museum space housing François Pinault's important collection, as well as presenting exceptional exhibitions and event.

For street art enthusiasts, a visit to ART42 in the 17th arrondissement is a must. As well as housing an IT school, the multi-storey complex is home to a collection of over 150 street and urban artworks by major players such as Banksky, JR, and Invader, along with emerging artists working in the genre.

Since it was launched in 2010, Ocula Magazine has interviewed some of France's most significant artists, including Camille Henrot and Bernar Venet, and published significant features on artists including Claude Cahun.

Led by Ocula's founder Simon Fisher, Ocula Advisory assists new and established collectors in growing and managing their collections. Based in Mayfair, the advisory team has an intimate knowledge of the global contemporary art scene.

With 40+ years of combined experience and extensive relationships with galleries, auction houses, art dealers, and collectors, Ocula Advisory has exceptional knowledge of modern and contemporary art, as well as market trends.

Follow Advisory Picks, Perspectives, and Selections for must-see art globally, and stay up-to-date with global art market news.

Sign up to My Ocula to follow artists and galleries, save artworks to your favourites, and be informed when new exhibitions and features are published.

Paris has propelled the careers of French and international artists, with its renowned galleries and museums providing a global stage for seminal exhibitions.

Sign up to My Ocula to follow artists and galleries, save artworks to your favourites, and be informed when new Paris exhibitions and features are published.

With the Grand Palais currently under construction until 2024, events will be moved to the temporary exhibition hall, the Grand Palais Ephémère in the Champ de Mars. While the Grand Palais was historically host to Foire Internationale d'Art Contemporain (FIAC) each October, as of 2022 the Grand Palais Ephémère now plays host to Paris+ par Art Basel.