Art Paris 2026, the key spring fair for modern and contemporary art
- 11 hours ago
- 4 min read
The 28th edition will be focusing on the themes of language and reparation
9–12 APRIL 2026 — GRAND PALAIS
After a triumphant return to the Grand Palais in 2025, Art Paris will once again take place from 9–12 April in the majestic nave and on the balconies of this iconic Parisian monument.
The 28th edition will host around 165 French and international galleries from some twenty countries, offering an ambitious programme that supports the French scene while fostering dialogue with artists and galleries from across the world.
Two themes have been entrusted to this year’s guest curators.The first, Babel – Art and Language in France, curated by Loïc Le Gall, focuses on the French scene, while the second, Reparation, curated by Alexia Fabre, brings an international perspective to the fair.
A comprehensive events programme, including three major prizes, exhibitions and conferences completes the offering. Through the Art Paris VIP programme, collectors and art professionals invited during this spring art week will be able to choose from 33 exclusive exhibition visits and tours of Parisian cultural institutions.
The 2026 selection embodies the unique identity of Art Paris, a fair that is both regional and cosmopolitan and, as ever, a place of artistic discovery.
French galleries make up 60% of the exhibitors and the remaining 40% are international galleries; 29% of this edition’s participants are new to the fair.
These figures underline the way Art Paris showcases the sheer wealth and depth of the French gallery ecosystem, from big name international galleries to unique modern and contemporary art galleries from every corner of France.
Art Paris is also committed to supporting young galleries, notably with the Promesses sector for young galleries and emerging artists.
French galleries exhibiting for the first time in 2026 include:Bendana-Pinel, In Situ – Fabienne Leclerc, Iragui Gallery, Pietro Sparta and Galerie Papillon.
They join long-standing regulars such as:Galleria Continua, Jeanne Bucher Jaeger, Lelong, Loevenbruck, Nathalie Obadia, Michel Rein, Almine Rech, Semiose, Templon and Waddington Custot. Among the new international exhibitors are:Lumen Travo (Amsterdam), RocioSantaCruz (Barcelona), Cassandra Bird (Sydney, Paris) and Schenkweitzdörfer.
Babel – Art and Language in France
Curated by Loïc Le Gall
In 2026, two themes led by guest curators take centre stage: the first focuses on the French scene, while the second adopts a more international outlook.
Babel – Art and Language in France is a themed visit through Art Paris 2026 that brings together 21 artists selected from the participating galleries whose work explores the richness and, at times, the enigmas of systems of signs and linguistic structures in French contemporary art.
According to Loïc Le Gall:
Some artists explore the material nature of letters themselves, whereas others examine the tension that exists between text and images, or tackle themes such as translation, the ambiguity of signs, the many and varied alphabets and the way in which words circulate across networks. The ensemble proves that art is a laboratory where the forms of language are observed and analysed, sometimes used in new contexts and often reinvented.
Featuring creations that waver between figuration and abstraction, this themed visit invites viewers to rethink their relationship with words and symbols and the ways in which, individually and collectively, we construct and decode the reality of our surroundings.
Sectors, Exhibitions and Prizes
Promesses — A sector focusing on young galleries and emerging artists
The Promesses section is dedicated to galleries established less than ten years ago.
It will welcome 27 galleries located along the southern balconies of the Grand Palais.
The selection is overseen by Marc Donnadieu, member of the Art Paris selection committee and independent exhibition curator.
Key figures:
50% first-time exhibitors
56% French galleries
44% international galleries
Participating galleries will present 56 artists, of whom 31 (55%) are women.
This section is supported by the fair with reduced exhibitor fees.
French Design Art Edition
After its successful debut in 2025, the Design sector returns to the balconies of the Grand Palais with an expanded selection of interior designers, design companies and galleries.
Curated by Jean-Paul Bath and Sandy Saad, the sector will host around 15 exhibitors presenting unique designs and limited series.
Exhibitors
Andrée Putman StudioBruno Moinard EditionsCoeditionDiana Ghandour StudioEmma DonnersbergFranck GenserHom Le XuanIndia MahdaviMaison BerthèsMercœurNicolas AubagnacPierre BonnefillePhilippe HurelReda Amalou DesignRinckSeraphyn DesignSchool GalleryThings From / LGD DistributionGalerie Zèbres
Le Fonds d’art contemporain – Paris Collections exhibition
Curated by Julie Gandini and the Paris Collections curatorial team.
The exhibition develops the theme of reparation by examining the traces of France’s colonial history within municipal collections and highlighting artists from Africa, the Caribbean and South America.
Through recent acquisitions and research, the project seeks to address historical imbalances in representation within French public collections.
Prizes
BNP Paribas Banque Privée Prize
Prize money: €40,000
The prize rewards a living artist active on the French art scene and is selected from artists participating in the Babel – Art and Language in France section.
The Her Art Prize
In partnership with Marie Claire and Maison Boucheron
This prize recognises a woman artist and awards €30,000, along with an international promotional campaign.
Le FRENCH DESIGN 100 Prize
Awarded to 100 interior design and design projects that promote French creativity internationally.
Practical Information
Grand Palais
7 Avenue Winston Churchill 75008 Paris
Preview (invitation only)
Wednesday April 8 — 11:00 to 21:00
Opening Times
Thursday April 9 — 12:00 to 20:00Friday April 10 — 12:00 to 20:00Saturday April 11 — 12:00 to 20:00Sunday April 12 — 12:00 to 19:00
Admission
Thursday & Friday: €30 / €15 (students and groups)Saturday & Sunday: €35 / €20 (students and groups)Children under 10: Free
