Martin Parr: Global Warning
Leading contemporary photographer Martin Parr was known for warm and humorous documentation of the minutiae of modern life. In this retrospective featuring more than 180 photographs, Parr turns his eye on subjects related to environmental destruction, including mass tourism, over-consumption and the omnipresence of plastic in daily life.
The exhibition is also a chance to look back on 50 years of work from the beloved artist, who died in December.
Global Warning at the Jeu de Paume Paris runs from January 30 to May 24.
Renoir et l’amour
Pierre-Auguste Renior’s reputation as a “painter of happiness” sometimes saw him derided as a lightweight by his peers, but will no doubt make for an exhibition to lift the spirits.
The theme of love will be explored through around 50 of the impressionist’s paintings, focusing on scenes from everyday life. In these, Renoir represented luminous and vibrant moments of human connection during shared meals, conversations and dancing.
Renoir et l’amour at the Musée d’Orsay runs from March 17 to July 19.
Matisse 1941-1954
This blockbuster show features more than 230 paintings, drawings, books and Cut Outs documenting the final years of Henri Matisse’s career. The modern master is known for his vivid and innovative use of colour, particularly in his Cut Outs in which he used brightly coloured paper shapes to represent nature, animals and the human form.
Visitors will get a chance to see works borrowed from Paris’ Pompidou centre (which is currently closed for renovation until 2030) and international collections, including Sorrows of the King, Danseuse Créole (“Creole Danser”) and Matisse’s famous Blue Nudes.
Matisse 1941-1954 at the Grand Palais runs from March 24 to July 26.
Video games et music
For billions of gamers around the world, music is an essential and evocative component of successful worldbuilding. With 20 installations investigating the relationship between artistry, storytelling and technology, this interactive exhibition explores the history of video game music, from early sound chips to modern audio landscapes.
Alongside the exhibition, concert-goers can buy tickets for orchestral performances of scores from popular games, including Final Fantasy and Assassin’s Creed.
Video games et music at the Philharmonie de Paris runs from April 3 to January 10, 2027.
Marilyn Monroe: 100 ans
Hollywood icon Marilyn Monroe would have celebrated her 100th birthday in 2026 and French film museum the Cinématheque is marking the occasion with an exhibition in her honour.
Monroe was a talented comedic actress who starred in more than 30 films, but her technical skill was often eclipsed by her megawatt fame, looks and personal life. This exhibition commemorates her greatest film performances and investigates what the enduring fascination with the star says about the public’s relationship with Hollywood and celebrity.
Marilyn Monroe: 100 ans at the Cinémathèque Française runs from April 8 to July 26.
La Caverne du Pont Neuf par JR (The Pont Neuf cave by JR)
For two weeks in June, Paris’s oldest bridge will be transformed into a giant cave by the French street artist known as JR. The ambitious installation was inspired by the rocks used to create Pont Neuf’s stone bricks and aims to create a rugged juxtaposition to the capital’s traditional architecture. It is also an homage to artists Christo et Jeanne-Claude, who famously wrapped the bridge in 41,800 square metres of fabric in 1985.
Originally planned for 2025, the JR project was postponed by a year to allow for complicated logistics. It will be freely accessible to visitors who will be able to walk across the bridge and pass underneath on boats while the artwork is in place.
La Caverne du Pont Neuf will be open to the public from June 6-28.
Read moreThe Bright Side: ‘French Banksy’ JR to turn Paris’s oldest bridge into ‘immersive cave’
Jenny Holzer: J’ai Vu (I Saw)
American conceptual artist Jenny Holzer brings her thought-provoking, text-based work to the capital in October in an exhibition created especially for the Musée d’Orsay.
Inside the museum, visitors will be able to see works featuring texts drawn from the museum archives displayed on stone engravings and LED displays. Outside the building, written messages will illuminate the walls of the former train station, no doubt giving passersby pause for thought.
Jenny Holzer: J’ai Vu at the Musee d’Orsay runs from October 20 to February 21, 2027.