Top 10 Must-See Exhibitions in Paris This Summer

© Cutback - Culturespaces - Kimsooja, ADAGP, Paris, 2024 - Musée intercommunal de Nogent-sur-Marne.

August in Paris offers the perfect opportunity to enjoy major exhibitions in the city's top museums while staying cool and cultured. Here’s a rundown of the standout exhibits this season.

This summer, street art takes over the Petit Palais for the first time with "We Are Here." Over 200 works are displayed throughout the museum, blending with classic paintings and sculptures. A giant spray can by D*Face welcomes visitors with the message "we are here." Featuring about 60 artists, including Banksy, Obey, Invader, and Hush, this exhibit offers a unique perspective on the Petit Palais. Don't miss the contemporary Salon des Refusés with 161 works densely packed on the walls, echoing the avant-gardists of the late 19th century.

We are here, until November 17 at the Petit Palais, Avenue Winston Churchill, Paris 8th. Open Tuesday to Sunday, 10 am to 6 pm. Free entry.

© Le Petit Palais, Paris Musées by Gautier Deblonde.

Yves Saint Laurent's obsession was to enhance the female body through sheer fabrics. The exhibition “Transparences. Le pouvoir des matières” showcases his innovative and respectful approach to nudity, highlighting iconic pieces like his first see-through blouse from the Spring-Summer 1968 collection. The exhibit explores how Saint Laurent played with materials to create transparency, featuring unique pieces like the legendary Nude Dress made of ostrich feathers.

Transparences. Le pouvoir des matières, until August 25 at the Yves Saint Laurent Museum, 5 Avenue Marceau, Paris 16th. Open Tuesday to Sunday, 11 am to 6 pm.

© Guy Marineau.

Did you know sports were a favorite subject for Impressionists? Coinciding with the Olympics, the Marmottan Monet Museum dedicates an entire exhibition to sports in Impressionist art with "En jeu ! Les artistes et le sport." The 160 artworks not only depict physical exertion but also paint a picture of 19th-century society embracing leisure activities. From Degas’ horse races to Eakins’ boxing matches, this exhibit captures the movement and dynamics of the time.

En jeu ! Les artistes et le sport, until September 1 at the Marmottan Monet Museum, 2 Rue Louis-Boilly, Paris 16th. Open Tuesday to Sunday, 10 am to 6 pm.

© Musée national du Sport - Christian Baraja.

After exploring Marc Chagall’s universe, the Atelier des Lumières takes us on a journey with "L’Égypte des Pharaons de Khéops à Ramsès II" and "Orientalistes. Ingres, Delacroix, Gérôme…." Discover the treasures and mysteries of ancient Egypt and delve into the romantic and exotic 19th-century Orient through masterpieces by Delacroix, Gérôme, and Ingres. An escape into history and art awaits.

Orientalists & L’Égypte des Pharaons de Khéops à Ramsès II, until January 5, 2025, at the Atelier des Lumières, 38 Rue Saint-Maur, Paris 11th. Open Tuesday, Thursday, and Sunday, 10 am to 7 pm.

© Cutback - Culturespaces.

Part two of the Palais Galliera’s triptych “La mode en mouvement #2” focuses on beachwear. This exhibition presents over 250 pieces showcasing the evolution of swim and beachwear from designers like Miu Miu, Chanel, Madame Grès, and Jacques Heim. Explore how beach fashion and our relationship with the body have changed over time.

La mode en mouvement #2, until January 5, 2025, at the Palais Galliera, 10 Avenue Pierre 1er de Serbie, Paris 16th. Open Tuesday to Sunday, 10 am to 6 pm.

© Le Palais Galliera, Paris Musées.

“Natures vivantes. Images et imaginaires des jardins d’Albert Kahn” showcases previously unseen archives of Kahn’s love for the plant world. From his Boulogne garden to the now-lost Cap-Martin garden, discover thousands of autochromes and films from 1900 to 1931. This exhibition provides a unique glimpse into Kahn’s gardens across different seasons.

Natures vivantes. Images et imaginaires des jardins d’Albert Kahn, until December 31 at the Albert-Kahn Departmental Museum, 2 Rue du Port, Boulogne-Billancourt. Open Tuesday to Sunday, 11 am to 7 pm. From €5.

© CD 92, Musée départemental Albert-Kahn.

While known for “The Raft of the Medusa,” Géricault’s fascination with horses is highlighted in “Les chevaux de Géricault” at the Musée de la Vie Romantique. The exhibit features preparatory studies, watercolors, and sketches that reveal his meticulous attention to equine anatomy. Witness the romantic heroism and tranquility of horses in Géricault’s art.

Géricault’s Horses, until September 15 at the Musée de la Vie Romantique, 16 Rue Chaptal, Paris 9th. Open Tuesday to Sunday, 10 am to 6 pm.

© RMN-Grand Palais / image RMN GP - RMN-Grand Palais (PBA, Lille) / Philipp Bernard.

At the Bourse de Commerce, South Korean artist Kimsooja’s giant mirrored floor installation reflects the dome and frescoes. “Le monde comme il va” features nearly 100 works by 30 artists, exploring the state of the world. From a destroyed Ferrari to Jeff Koons’ Balloon Dog and Cindy Sherman’s photos, this exhibit’s diverse techniques and themes make it a must-see.

Le monde comme il va, until September 2 at the Bourse de Commerce, 2 Rue de Viarmes, Paris 1st. Open Tuesday to Monday, 11 am to 7 pm, late opening on Friday until 9 pm.

© Kimsooja, ADAGP, Paris, 2024 - agence Pierre-Antoine Gatier by Nicolas Brasseur, Pinault Collection.

Azzedine Alaïa’s exhibition “Alaïa/Kuramata, la légèreté en création” at his foundation showcases his collection of 22 pieces by Japanese designer Kuramata. These rare pieces are paired with Alaïa’s creations, highlighting the interplay of forms, materials, and movements. Discover the synergy between these two great artists.

Alaïa/Kuramata, la légèreté en création, until January 12, 2025, at the Azzedine Alaïa Foundation, 18 Rue de la Verrerie, Paris 4th. Open daily, 11 am to 7 pm. From €3.

© Saï Production, Stéphane Aït Ouarab.

"La naissance des grands magasins. Mode, design, jouets, publicité, 1852-1925" at the Museum of Decorative Arts traces the rise of Parisian department stores. Featuring posters, clothes, toys, and furniture, the exhibition highlights how these stores democratized fashion. The antique toys, from plush bears to porcelain dolls, are particularly captivating.

The Birth of Department Stores: Fashion, Design, Toys, Advertising, 1852-1925, until October 13 at the Museum of Decorative Arts, 107 Rue de Rivoli, Paris 1st. Open Tuesday to Sunday, 11 am to 6 pm.

© Les Arts Décoratifs / Christophe Dellière.

Discover also the best (free!) exhibitions at Parisian galleries and Géricault’s horses at the Musée de la Vie Romantique.