© Douglas Kirkland - Paolo Roversi
No need to spend hours queuing in front of the capital’s most popular museums to get your cultural fix. This fall, Parisian art galleries are buzzing with free and inspiring exhibitions, no lines, no tickets, just pure artistic pleasure. Between photography, drawings, and sculptures, there’s something for everyone! On the agenda : glamorous shots of icon Vanessa Paradis, a celebration of love through Douglas Kirkland’s lens, a mythical exhibition curated by Jacquemus, glass-brick sculptures by Jean-Michel Othoniel, and portraits and sketches by Picasso himself. Why choose ? Add all five to your cultural to-do list !
The Most “Paradis(iacal)”
A pouty expression, a charming gap-toothed smile, and a unique voice ? No doubt, it’s Vanessa Paradis. The multi-talented artist and generational icon has long been a leading figure in French culture : from Joe le taxi – the summer hit of 1987 – to her role in Maman at Théâtre Édouard VII, and even the animated classic A Monster in Paris. This fall, the star is honored in the exhibition Paradissime.
To celebrate the release of her 7th album, Le retour des beaux jours, Galerie de l’Instant dedicates a photographic exhibition to her, showcasing stunning shots taken by renowned photographers including Ellen Von Unwerth, Claude Gassian, Jean-Baptiste Mondino, and Paolo Roversi. From magazine covers to behind-the-scenes photos, ethereal shoots, and piercing gazes, the collection proves just how photogenic Queen Vanessa truly is. It’s a nostalgic dive back into the ‘90s, a decade of magic and style.
Vanessa Paradis, “Paradissime”. Galerie de l’Instant, 46 rue de Poitou, Paris 3e. From October 15 to January 14. Open Tuesday–Saturday 11am–7pm, Sunday 2:30pm–6:30pm, Monday 2pm–7pm.
© Paolo Roversi - Pierre Terrasson - Ellen Von Unwerth
The Most Hollywood-Style
Romance takes center stage at Espace Durev, celebrating the release of Romance, the new book by photographer Douglas Kirkland, edited by his wife Françoise Kirkland. From his early days in Toronto to becoming a global star photographer and confidant of Hollywood legends, this show highlights his most iconic portraits that capture love in all its forms.
A true love letter, the exhibition gathers around twenty timeless images, brimming with vintage romanticism, featuring screen legends like Meryl Streep, Nicole Kidman, and Richard Burton, as well as cult film scenes and intimate couple portraits. Mixing ordinary people and global icons, Kirkland creates works that are both deeply personal and undeniably glamorous. From Rome to Paris and even Marilyn Monroe’s bed in Hollywood, love is everywhere, cinematic, emotional, eternal.
Douglas Kirkland : Romance - Espace DUREV, 56 boulevard de la Tour-Maubourg, Paris 7e. From October 13 to November 13. Open Tuesday–Friday 11am–6pm, Saturday 1pm–6pm.
© Douglas Kirkland
The Most Mythical
What can’t Jacquemus do ? The beloved designer of stars has traded the runway for the curator’s chair this fall, unveiling MYTHES, a free exhibition that blends fashion, sculpture, and fine art.
Drawing inspiration from classical art, architecture, and form, Jacquemus stages this exhibition in Paris’s oldest medieval building, the Collège des Bernardins, before extending it to two Left Bank galleries : Chenel and Dina Vierny. Expect marble and bronze sculptures by Aristide Maillol, antique works, and of course, the signature Jacquemus aesthetic : light tones, sculptural silhouettes, and organic materials.
MYTHES, curated by Simon Porte Jacquemus. From October 20 to 24 at Collège des Bernardins, 20 rue de Poissy, Paris 5e. (online booking required). Then October 30 to December 20 at galeries Dina Vierny, 36 rue Jacob, Paris 6e and Chenel 3 quai Voltaire, Paris 7e
© Collège des Bernardins - Béa De Giacomo
The Most Enchanting
Jean-Michel Othoniel’s work has always balanced hypnotic beauty and geometric contemplation. His new exhibition New Works at Galerie Perrotin presents pieces from two major series : Precious Stonewalls and Wonder Blocks.
His signature medium ? Glass, especially hand-blown glass from Indian artisans. Here, sulphur bricks transform into shimmering glass blocks that play with light and reflection. Each small glass unit forms part of a larger, luminous sculpture, a glowing glass-brick wall that seems to breathe with light. Othoniel’s creations forge a poetic dialogue between space, light, and viewer, captivating both the eye and the imagination.
Jean-Michel Othoniel - New Works, Galerie Perrotin, 76 rue de Turenne, Paris 3e.
From October 18 to December 20. Open Tuesday–Saturday 10am–6pm.
© Jean-Michel Othoniel
The Most Timeless
Marc Lebouc and Galerie de l’Institut invite visitors to rediscover the genius of Pablo Picasso through Picasso. Dessin 1903–1972, an exhibition featuring over 100 drawings across three exceptional venues.
This chronological and thematic journey celebrates Picasso’s muse and last wife, Jacqueline, who appears in nearly 70% of the works. From early sketches like The Painter and His Model (1914, Musée Picasso) to his later abstract figures, the exhibition offers an intimate glimpse into his evolving art and emotions. Many of the pieces have never before been shown to the public, a rare opportunity to see Picasso’s mastery of line, form, and love.
Picasso. Dessin 1903–1972 — Galerie de l’Institut, at 3 bis rue des Beaux-Arts / 12 Rue de Seine / 16 rue de Seine, Paris 6th. From October 22 to December 20.
Also discover : 3 one-(wo)man shows that will make you howl with laughter and 5 new series to watch in October
