Art in Paris

For the display of classical and modern art, few places in the world can rival the Louvre. But when it comes to contemporary art and design the French are wildly and enthusiastically international. In a world where artists use every media imaginable, and travel to all corners of the globe to exhibit, Paris is as good a place as any to catch up on what’s happening in the American and Asian art scenes as it is to discover artists emerging from eastern Europe. However, it’s not just about the visiting talent: there are also plenty of noteworthy local artists, working in a variety of genres.

The Louvre & Centre Pompidou

The Louvre, the biggest museum in the world and the Pompidou, the 'inside-out' building that houses the largest collection of modern art in Europe, are undoubtedly the two biggest art attractions in Paris.

Galleries in Paris

The commercial gallery scene is principally centred around the Marais. Essential stops include the immaculate Galerie Emmanuel Perrotin and Yvon Lambert for big international names, and Chez Valentin for witty conceptual projects. At the new Espace Claude Berri (www.espace-claudeberri.com), set up by the renowned film director, exhibitions of work from Berri’s private collection will alternate with solo shows. Emerging artists can be found at FAT Galerie and Galerie Michel Rein, and across the river in St-Germain-des-Prés, where Galerie Kamel Mennour and in situ Fabienne Leclerc occupy impressive new premises. There’s also a number of galleries specialising in modern design.

In the 13th arrondissement, the area around rue Louise-Weiss has never quite fulfilled its promise of becoming Paris’s Chelsea: spaces are too small and quality too varied. Even so, Air de Paris and Art:Concept are usually worth a look. At the opposite end of the spectrum, the Champs-Elysées area is home to a handful of galleries presenting big bankable names, among more classic antiquaires and early 20th-century art.

Prix Marcel DuChamp

Conceived in 2000 by collectors’ association the ADIAF and designed to raise the profile (and, no doubt, the profits) of the French art scene, the Prix Marcel Duchamp may have failed to create anything like the media frenzy of the Turner Prize, its British equivalent, but it does provide a pretty good survey of the mid-career scene.

Festivals & events

The Salon des Arts et Design: formerly an antiques fair, the salon now focuses on sought-after 20th-century design (Spring).

Art Paris: Art Paris in the Grand Palais is geared to a more domestic market than FIAC (Spring).

Salon de Dessin Contemporain: created in 2007, takes over a different vacant building each year, with 30 galleries presenting contemporary drawings for niche market collectors (Spring).

FIAC: the international art circuit descends on Paris during this art fair (www.fiacparis.com), that splits between the Grand Palais and the Cour Carrée of the Louvre. Side events take place all over town, along with upstart Show Off (01.44.54.92.15, www.showoffparis.com) in the Espace Pierre Cardin (October).

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Top tips

Catch the art bus: the Navette de l’Art (‘art bus’; 01.47.00.90.85, www.art-process.com) gives a monthly insider’s tour of selected new galleries, private collections and alternative spaces.

Late nights at the Louvre: evening visits can be made on Wednesdays and Fridays till 9.45pm. On Fridays after 6pm entry is free for the under-26s, but if you plan to make several visits, the Carte Louvre Jeunes, at €15 for the year, is worth getting.

Sorry we're closed: most galleries close from mid July to late August and at Christmas.

What's on: the Galeries Mode d’Emploi leaflet (also online at www.fondation-entreprise-ricard.com) provides detailed weekly listings, as does www.paris-art.com. At vernissage time, usually Saturday evenings, the city’s artists, collectors, critics and curators do the rounds of what’s opening.

Our listings

While every effort and care has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information contained in this guide, the publisher cannot accept responsibility for any errors it may contain. Before you go out of your way, we strongly advise you to phone ahead and check the particulars.

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