Musee Jacquemart Andre Credit Charles Duprat

Dorchester Collection

Seasonal guide to Paris

Fashion Week, Design Week and an abundance of international art fairs make Paris a supremely stylish place to be. Add to the mix an exciting programme of major exhibitions by leading modern and contemporary artists, as well as some of Europe’s most prestigious sporting occasions, and you’ll soon discover each season’s special appeal. Here are our favourite Parisian events to uncover.

Beach with red sand
UNTIL MAY 5, 2020

Naturellement Plaza

Our new exhibition at La Cour Jardin, orchestrated by Art Photo Expo Production, brings together the works of 14 internationally renowned contemporary artists, who each share their unique kinship with nature. This sensitivity is expressed through natural materials and textures, such as Zoe Ouvrier’s wood engravings, or simply as a source of inspiration, such as Mat Beetson’s aerial photographs of Earth. The courtyard will be beautifully transformed for the occasion by landscape architect Anaïs Nougarede.

Until May 5, 2020
10am – 8pm

From January, 2020

La Fab by agnès b.

French fashion designer agnès b. loves art. Over the years she has built a vast collection of more than 5,000 pieces of art, including photographs, drawings, paintings and sculptures. Some of these artworks are now on view at the newly created La Fab. Set in the brand new building designed by SOA Architectes, this special place is a diverse celebration of artistic creation in all its forms.

La Fab by agnès b., Place Jean-Michel Basquiat, 75013 Paris
la-fab.com | +33 (0)1 87 44 35 73
Image © Exhibition view of La hardiesse dans la collection (Boldness in the agnès b. collection). © Rebecca Fanuele. La Fab. / collection agnès b., 2020.

Picture of a work by French fashion designer agnès b.at
Horse and knight in black and white line drawing
May 5 – 27, 2020

Die Walküre

Engulfing audiences in a wild and heartrending tale of thwarted love, rage and divine authority, Wagner’s Die Walküre storms onto the stage of the Opéra Bastille. Calixto Bieito’s direction leans even further into the characters’ excruciating journeys to explore unchartered territories in their psychological depths with this powerful new production.

Opéra Bastille, Place de la Bastille, 75012 Paris
operadeparis.fr | +33 (0)8 92 89 90 90
Image © Duncan 1980

May 6 – August 17, 2020

Body and Soul: Sculpture in Italy from Donatello to Michelangelo

The highly anticipated follow-up to the lauded Springtime of the Renaissance exhibition, Body and Soul is an extraordinary look at the human body in the round. Spanning the second half of the Quattrocento and culminating in Michelangelo’s master works, the show seeks to explore ideas of bodily movement and emotional impact as set in stone and other media.

Louvre Museum, Rue de Rivoli, 75001 Paris
louvre.fr | +33 (0)1 40 20 50 50

Lourve Paris France
Saint Germain des Pres Jazz Festival Credit Geraldine Santin
May 9 – 20, 2020

Festival Jazz à Saint-Germain-des-Prés

Returning to Saint-Germain-des-Prés for its 20th edition, the jazz festival is a vibrant, 11-day celebration, with an exceptional array of performers lined up to mark the occasion. Alongside great tunes, the festival commandeers some fantastic venues. From the grand Odéon-Théâtre de l’Europe to an atmospheric old church, this is a rewarding acoustic exploration of Paris’ historic artistic centre.

Various locations across Paris
festivaljazzsaintgermainparis.com
Image © Geraldine Santin

May 13 – August 31, 2020

Matisse

To celebrate 150 years since Henri Mattise’s birth, the Centre Pompidou is hosting a unique exhibition of the Fauvist master’s oeuvre. Looking at his creative process, particularly his relationship with literature, the show offers a rare opportunity to admire never-before-seen works alongside all-time favourite masterpieces in a new light.

Centre Pompidou, Place Georges-Pompidou, 75004 Paris
centrepompidou.fr +33 (0)1 44 78 12 33
Image © Centre Pompidou, MNAM-CCI, Dist. RMN-Grand Palaias-Jean-Claude Planchet, © Succession Henri Matisse-DACS 2013

Centre Pompidou MNAM CCI Dist RMN Grand Palaias Jean Claude Planchet Succession Henr
Hippodrome dauteuil 9 credit France Galop
May 16 – 17, 2020

Grand Steeple-Chase de Paris Weekend

Also known informally as ‘the French Grand National’, the Grand Steeple-Chase de Paris has been a landmark event in the country’s equestrian calendar since 1847. Famously challenging for riders and thrilling for spectators, this high-intensity race is one of the year’s longest steeplechases and promises an exceptional weekend of entertainment.

Auteuil Racecourse, Route d’Auteuil aux Lacs, 75016 Paris
evenements.france-galop.com | +33 (0)1 49 10 20 30
Image © APRH or Image © France Galop

May 28 – 31, 2020

Art Paris 2020

The freshest instalment of Paris’ tribute to contemporary art returns to the glassy domes of the Grand Palais this spring. Art Paris Art Fair is a cutting-edge collection of contemporary paintings, illustrations, installations and sculpture, curated by 150 competitive international galleries. Whether to browse or buy, it’s the city’s go-to for art enthusiasts.

Grand Palais, avenue Winston Churchill, 75008 Paris
artparis.com | +33 (0)1 56 26 52 13
Image © Bolin Liu family photo, Art Paris

Family painted in red and yellow with lanterns
paris dorchestercollection credit Christo et Jeanne Claude Paris
Until June 15, 2020

Christo and Jeanne-Claude Paris !

Renowned for their spectacular urban works, Christo and Jeanne-Claude showcase their Pont-Neuf packaging project, alongside a curated selection of little-known workshop pieces before wrapping the Arc de Triomphe this Autumn’. This major exhibition not only celebrates their creative ingenuity, but it explores the fundamental role the City of Lights has played in the pair’s artistic evolution.

Centre Pompidou, Place Georges-Pompidou, 75004 Paris
centrepompidou.fr | +33 (0)1 44 78 12 33
Image © Wolfang Volz [Archives Christo]

Until July 19, 2020

James Tissot

In 19th century Paris, critics were singing the praises of Manet, Degas, and the highly fashionable Tissot. Tissot’s work, such as his famous images of Parisienne women and his numerous biblical pieces, are being celebrated in this elegant exhibition at the Musée D’Orsay.

Musée d’Orsay, 1 Rue de la Légion d’Honneur, 75007 Paris
musee-orsay.fr | +33 (0)1 40 49 48 14
Image © Musée D’Orsay

Peinture de James Tissot mettant en scène deux dames aux robes longues et un marin sur un navire.
Musee Jacquemart Andre Credit Charles Duprat
Until July 20, 2020

Turner

With loans from the Tate Britain – home of the largest Turner collection worldwide – Turner is a remarkable retrospective of the celebrated British watercolour artist. More than 70 works are on display, including some that have never before been shown in France, tracing his artistic evolution through early canvases and personal sketches to major paintings.

Musée Jacquemart-André, 158 Boulevard Haussmann, 75008 Paris
musee-jacquemart-andre.com | +33 (0)1 45 62 11 59 |
Image © Charles-Duprat

September 20 – October 4, 2020

French Open

The biggest international names in tennis go racket to ball in this year’s round of the Roland-Garros French Open. Last year saw two-time champion Rafael Nadal defeat Dominic Thiem in a legendary rematch to win the Men’s Grand Slam, while Ashleigh Barty won her first in the Women’s. Secure a courtside seat to cheer this year’s winner.

Stade Roland-Garros, 2 Avenue Gordon Bennett, 75016 Paris
tickets.rolandgarros.com | +33 (0)1 47 43 51 11
Image © Pauline Ballet, FFT

French Open credit Pauline Ballet FFT