10 exhibitions to see in Paris to stay cool this summer From fashion to cinema via photography
As the month of August approaches, and the desire to spend time outside melting in the sun fades day by day, our search for coolness grows stronger, making museums and exhibitions the perfect pastime to fill our summer days. For some, holidays don’t always mean travel, and Paris offers its residents and visitors a wide range of exhibitions to discover, taking us to new horizons without ever leaving the capital. So here are 10 exhibitions to visit this summer to fuel your culture and curiosity while cooling off.
1. Agnès Varda’s Paris de-ci de-là, at the Musée Carnavalet
Just like the French director did in her films, the exhibition Agnès Varda’s Paris de-ci de-là shows us Paris from a new angle. In a retrospective highlighting the still little-known photographic work of Agnès Varda, the photographic exhibition emphasizes the role of Paris in the work of an artist who portrayed it like no one else. Through photographs, publications, and personal objects, the exhibition becomes a true open love letter to Varda, her unique artistic eye, her work, and the city that made her famous.
The exhibition is open until August 24, 2025, at 23 rue Madame de Sévigné 75003 Paris, Tuesday to Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5:45 p.m.
2. Niki de Saint Phalle, Jean Tinguely, Pontus Hulten, at the Grand Palais
@alicemoitie Collaboration culturelle commerciale
In collaboration with the Centre Pompidou, which is closed for five years of renovation, the Grand Palais showcases the work of Niki de Saint Phalle and Jean Tinguely through the visionary lens of Pontus Hulten. Through the creations that bound this artistic trio, the exhibition immerses us in a world of colorful Nanas and free, revolutionary art. It traces the story of the legendary couple Niki de Saint Phalle and Tinguely, made prolific thanks to Pontus Hulten, first director of the Centre Pompidou’s National Museum of Modern Art, who shared their vision of disruptive, multidisciplinary, and participatory art.
The exhibition is open until January 4, 2026, at 17 Avenue du Général Eisenhower 75008 Paris, Tuesday to Sunday from 10 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.
3. Rick Owens, Temple of Love, at Palais Galliera
Iconoclastic, open, and tender. These are the three words Alexandre Samson, fashion historian, curator, and head of the post-1947 collections at the Palais Galliera, uses to describe Rick Owens, Temple of Love, the retrospective dedicated to the American fashion designer. Behind the Palais Galliera’s columns and its statues draped in glittering dark fabric for the occasion, over thirty years of the designer’s work are showcased in an exhibition that is not only iconoclastic, open, and tender, but also complete, captivating, and at times emotional. From the curated silhouettes to the flowers lining the museum’s forecourt, the exhibition was conceived by Rick Owens, for Rick Owens. Having developed a close and faithful relationship with the museum, he was given full creative freedom to shape the exhibition in his own way.
The exhibition is open until January 4, 2026, at 10 av. Pierre 1er de Serbie 75116 Paris, Tuesday to Sunday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
4. Acne Paper, at Palais Royal
Located under the historic arcades of Paris’s Palais Royal, Acne Studios has recently opened its very first permanent art gallery, guided by the spirit of the brand’s biannual magazine Acne Paper. The gallery features a multidisciplinary program including exhibitions, talks, editorial launches, book signings, and cultural events. It is already establishing itself as a new creative hub—through the works it presents, but also the space it opens up for conversation and expression for both established and emerging talents.
The exhibition is located at 124 Gal de Valois, 75001 Paris, France, and is open Tuesday to Saturday from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.
5. Worth. Inventing Haute Couture, at the Petit Palais
Through this exhibition presented by the Palais Galliera in collaboration with the Petit Palais, Paris pays tribute to Charles Frederick Worth, the British designer considered the father of haute couture. At the end of the 19th century, Worth revolutionized fashion by putting his name on his creations, working on commission, and customizing garments to each client. The exhibition unveils spectacular dresses, archival sketches, and rare documents tracing the birth of the haute couture system as we know it today. A must-see to understand the roots of Parisian luxury.
The exhibition is open until September 7, 2025 at Avenue Winston-Churchill 75008 Paris, Tuesday to Sunday from 10am to 6pm.
6. Paul Poiret. Fashion is a Party, at the Musée des Arts décoratifs
The Musée des Arts décoratifs is dedicating a major retrospective to Paul Poiret, an iconic designer of the early 20th century. Freeing women from corsets, exploring fluid cuts and oriental inspirations, Poiret revolutionized the female silhouette. His love for parties, exotic décors, and luxurious textiles is reflected in an immersive scenography. Evening gowns, sumptuous coats, and original edition perfumes showcase the boldness of a man who saw fashion as a total art form. This iconic Belle Époque designer inspired legends from Christian Dior to Alphonse Maitrepierre.
The exhibition is open until January 11, 2026 at 107 rue de Rivoli, 75001 Paris, Tuesday to Sunday from 11am to 6pm.
7. Wes Anderson, the Exhibition, at the Cinémathèque Française
The exhibition on the American filmmaker currently held at the Cinémathèque Française follows the evolution of his work, from his 1990s beginnings to his most recent Oscar-winning film. From the nostalgic charm of The Royal Tenenbaums to the heartfelt adventures of Moonrise Kingdom, and the innovative stop-motion of Fantastic Mr. Fox, this retrospective explores how Wes Anderson’s singular vision and obsession with detail have created some of the most visually and emotionally captivating films of recent years. With a rich selection of props, original costumes, and behind-the-scenes documents—mainly from his personal collection—the exhibition offers a unique insight into his world and his profound and lasting influence on contemporary cinema.
The exhibition is open until January 11, 2026 at 107 rue de Rivoli, 75001 Paris, Tuesday to Sunday from 11am to 6pm.
8. Robert Doisneau: Given Moments, at the Musée Maillol
The Musée Maillol honors the talent of renowned photographer Robert Doisneau with a major exhibition. This retrospective, titled Given Moments, gathers over 250 photographs taken between the 1930s and 1980s, retracing five decades of observation, exploration, and creative image-making. The exhibition follows a chronological path, immersing visitors in the photographer’s world: the Parisian suburbs where he grew up, artists’ studios he visited, and his years at Vogue exploring fashion and luxury worlds.
The exhibition is open until October 12, 2025 at 59-61 Rue de Grenelle, 75007 Paris, Monday to Sunday from 10:30am to 6:30pm.
9. David Hockney 25, at the Fondation Louis Vuitton
Until August 31, the Fondation Louis Vuitton is hosting an exceptional exhibition dedicated to David Hockney, a major figure of the 20th and 21st centuries, taking over the entire venue with more than 400 works spanning seven decades of creation, from 1955 to 2025. Showcasing a remarkable selection from the artist’s studio, foundation, and international loans, the exhibition highlights the richness of his work through a wide range of techniques: oil and acrylic paintings, ink, pencil and charcoal drawings, digital creations on computer, iPhone and iPad, as well as video installations.
The exhibition is open until August 31, 2025 at 8 av. du Mahatma Gandhi, Monday to Sunday from 11am to 8pm.
10. Louvre Couture, at the Musée du Louvre
Soon, one of the year’s most popular fashion exhibitions will close its doors: LOUVRE COUTURE Art and Fashion: Statement Pieces, the very first fashion exhibition held at the Louvre. You have until August 24 to visit this fashion retrospective featuring 65 contemporary silhouettes and around thirty accessories, displayed in a unique, historical, and poetic dialogue with the department’s masterpieces, from Byzantium to the Second Empire.
The exhibition is open until August 24, 2025 at 99 rue de Rivoli, 75001 Paris, daily except Tuesday, from 9am to 6pm.
