Planning art in Paris right now? See which exhibitions truly matter, when to book, and how to dodge crowds. Insider timing, key venues, and seasonal wins.
Paris must-see exhibitions : instant context, real choices
Paris never serves just one unmissable show. It rotates a handful of blockbusters across a tight circle of venues : the Louvre, Musée d’Orsay, Centre Pompidou, Fondation Louis Vuitton, Musée de l’Orangerie, and Musée Picasso. The short answer to “what to see” starts here, because this is where headline exhibitions land and sell out first.
The scale explains the rush. The Louvre welcomed 8.86 million visitors in 2023, according to the museum’s January 2024 release. Musée d’Orsay reported a record year above 3.9 million. Centre Pompidou has confirmed a full closure for renovation from late 2025 until 2030, which adds urgency. In the fall, Paris+ par Art Basel gathered 154 galleries in 2023, per Art Basel, turning October into a peak art month. That is the backdrop for any must-see plan.
Paris must-see exhibitions : where the action is now
Blockbuster shows cluster in a few addresses. Fondation Louis Vuitton builds its calendar around large-scale monographic or thematic exhibitions inside Frank Gehry’s glass vessel in the Bois de Boulogne. Musée d’Orsay anchors Impressionism and Post‑Impressionism while hosting headline temporary shows in its central nave, then treats late openings to spillover demand. Musée de l’Orangerie offers immersive encounters with Claude Monet’s Water Lilies installed in 1927, plus compact, high‑caliber dossiers that often sell out faster than expected.
The Louvre remains the global heavyweight for cross‑century exhibitions that intersect with its permanent collection. Centre Pompidou drives modern et contemporary art with survey retrospectives and strong photography or design programs. With the announced renovation closure from late 2025, its 2024–2025 schedule drew extra attention from travellers who do not want to miss a last look.
Louvre, Orsay, Pompidou : the big numbers that shape the crowds
Those visitor counts translate into patterns on the ground. At the Louvre’s scale – 8.86 million in 2023 – timed tickets are strongly recommended even outside holidays. The museum is closed on Tuesdays. Musée d’Orsay – record 3.9 million in 2023, per the museum – closes on Mondays and runs late openings on select evenings that spread demand. Centre Pompidou closes on Tuesdays as well and has flagged that full closure window from late 2025 to 2030 on its official channels.
Season also matters. October turns hot due to Paris+ par Art Basel and satellite shows across the city, while early summer spikes with Nuit Blanche, the all‑night contemporary art event the City of Paris moved to June starting in 2023. Those two anchors pull ambitious exhibitions into the same weeks, which explains why some sellouts occured days after sales open.
How to secure tickets for a blockbuster exposition in Paris
The problem most visitors face : great shows, sold‑out slots, and queues that eat a morning. The fix is a mix of timing and tools that locals rely on without thinking twice.
- Pick your venue first, then the day : Louvre closed Tuesday, Orsay closed Monday, Pompidou closed Tuesday. Avoid those pinch points.
- Buy timed tickets direct from the museum and aim for the first slot of the day, or late openings. Both cut wait time dramatically.
- Subscribe to museum newsletters for pre‑sales. Big Paris shows often open bookings to subscribers 24–72 hours early.
- Use the Paris Museum Pass for permanent collections at 50+ sites and the dedicated entrances where available, then add a paid time slot for temporary exhibitions when required.
- If October travel is set, check Paris+ par Art Basel dates and book exhibition tickets before flights. The fair’s 154‑gallery draw in 2023 pulled crowds citywide.
Seasonal tips : Nuit Blanche, art fairs, and quiet hours
Nuit Blanche now lights up the city in June, per the City of Paris, with major institutions extending hours and staging one‑night commissions. Expect special routes along the Seine and installations that reframe familiar buildings. It is not a queue‑free night, but it unlocks access without extra ticket walls.
Autumn brings momentum of a different sort. Paris+ par Art Basel in October concentrates collectors and curators, which often triggers museum partnerships, outdoor sculptures, and talks that spill beyond the fair. Even if a fair ticket is not on the plan, the citywide program usually is – and it is free to roam.
Looking slightly ahead, Centre Pompidou’s renovation window from late 2025 to 2030 means modern and contemporary art will redistribute across partner venues. Expect Musée d’Art Moderne de Paris, Bourse de Commerce – Pinault Collection, and Fondation Louis Vuitton to absorb part of that demand with ambitious shows and extended hours. Planning shifts with it : check late nights, go early, and keep one flex slot in the itinerary for a last‑minute gem.