From Basel to the Bourse, a fresh art energy emerges in Paris

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Something exciting is brewing in the City of Lights, and it has nothing to do with the Eiffel Tower or the Mona Lisa. This weekend, thousands of people will descend into the French capital for the second edition of Art Basel Paris, a global brand that has become the leader in the international marketplace for buying and selling art.

But beyond the fair’s fanfare, something deeper is unfolding in Paris. A surge of visionary leaders in contemporary culture are bringing a renewed creative energy to the city, and with it, the eyes (and pockets) of the global art world.

The main benefactor of art and culture in France today is the fashion industry. Some of the best shows, and architecture, are facilitated by Chanel, Dior, Cartier, LVMH, Pinault, Lafayette and more. Even museums, including the Musée d’Orsay, are acquiring new work thanks to these large fashion houses.

In 1984, Fondation Cartier opened its private collection to the public and this played a pioneering role in promoting contemporary art in Paris. The foundation’s new Jean Nouvel–designed headquarters opposite the Louvre opens Oct. 25.

As global attention shifts from markets unsettled by politics and economic uncertainty in cities such as New York, Hong Kong and London (partly owing to Brexit), Paris has emerged as the logical heir to the art world’s shifting centre.

Sentient garments, collegiate chic and yet another major debut at Paris Fashion Week

Art giant Hauser & Wirth’s decision in 2023 to add a Paris outpost marked a defining moment in this paradigm shift. Housed in a 19th-century hôtel particulier near the Champs-Élysées, the gallery’s reputation for defining culture and blurring the line between art and commerce is fully cemented here.

As an art consultant, I’ve come to see how artists everywhere are shaping a shared visual language that reflects our time. In Paris, this global conversation feels especially alive, as galleries and museums alike are attempting to address the diaspora in their curation, and as artists explore the themes of migration, the environment and spirituality, offering not trends, but a glimpse into a collective consciousness. What follows are my Top 10 shows to see in Paris now.

Art Basel Paris

With 206 leading international galleries participating (including 180 within the Galeries sector and 65 exhibitors operating spaces in France), the fair highlights the vitality of the country’s art ecosystem. Art Basel Paris runs from Oct. 24-26, with Preview Days on Oct. 22 and 23. Tickets to the show, including to the publicly accessible Vernissage on the evening of Oct. 23, are now available on artbasel.com/paris/tickets.

Bourse de Commerce – Pinault Collection

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François Pinault, the billionaire founder of the luxury conglomerate Kering and one of fashion’s most influential patrons, moved his 10,000-piece collection of contemporary art into a series of museums. The latest, designed by Tadao Ando in Paris, is a sensational space, and an explicit example of why Paris matters now. Pro-tip: if you are travelling with children, send them on a mission to find the secret artwork by Ryan Gander (hidden at the trifecta of Pinault galleries across France and Italy). The Minimal exhibit runs until Jan. 19, 2026. pinaultcollection.com/fr/boursedecommerce/minimal

Louis Vuitton Foundation

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Designed by architect Frank Gehry, the building in itself is a work of art. Continuing its tradition of landmark monographic exhibitions, the Fondation will turn over its entire space to Gerhard Richter, widely regarded as one of the most important and internationally celebrated artists of our time. It’s a popular venue, so get your tickets in advance. The exhibit runs until March 2, 2026. fondationlouisvuitton.fr/en

Grande Palais

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One of Paris’s most historic landmarks, the Grand Palais is a remarkable example of Beaux Arts style. Created for the 1900 World’s Fair, the building has been recently restored and is the new home of Art Basel Paris. The Niki de Saint Phalle, Jean Tinguely, Pontus Hulten exhibition is a must-see to truly understand contemporary French culture. Note, this is a Pompidou satellite exhibition space during their renovation. (In Quebec City, Niki de Saint Phalle also has a major retrospective at the Musée national des beaux-arts du Québec until January, 2026.) Also, don’t miss the elaborate Philippe Servent-designed curtains commissioned by Chanel as part of “Le 19M” – a cultural incubator of more than 700 artisans. Exhibit runs until Jan. 4, 2026, grandpalais.fr/en

Jeu de Paume

Jeu de Paume is dedicated to photography and contemporary-image-based art, and is currently hosting an exhibition by Luc Delahaye, titled “Le bruit du monde” (The Noise of the World). French photographer Luc Delahaye’s work has transitioned from documentary reportage – he is former photojournalist with the Magnum Photo Agency – to fine art. In an era in which the line between “news” and “image” is increasingly blurred, this exhibition is a perfect example of why art matters now. Exhibit runs until Jan. 4, 2026; jeudepaume.org

Fondation Cartier de l’art Contemporain

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Opening Oct. 25 across from the Louvre, the Fondation Cartier’s new headquarters debuts with Exposition Générale, a landmark presentation of nearly 600 works from its collection. Keep an eye out for Woman with Shopping by Ron Mueck, a small, hyper-realistic sculpture that is both intimate and unsettling. Book your tickets in advance as this opening will surely be one of the hottest venues during this fall’s art fair frenzy. Exhibit runs until August, 2026; fondationcartier.com

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Hauser & Wirth

Bringing their undeniable influence to Paris, Hauser & Wirth will debut Jeffrey Gibson’s first solo exhibition in France. A member of the Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians and of Cherokee descent, Gibson produces work that is an alluring kaleidoscope of vibrant textiles, nightclub culture and activism. He was the first Indigenous artist to represent the United States at the Venice Biennale (the Olympics of the art world), and is currently showing a piece commissioned by the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, on their façade. Exhibit runs until Dec. 20; hauserwirth.com

David Zwirner

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This is a good example of a mega-gallery that has the funds to do something immersive with its exhibitions (and, bonus, commercial galleries are always free). Timed to coincide with a major retrospective of Gerhard Richter’s work at the Louis Vuitton Foundation, this is an opportunity to see this world-renowned artist’s work in a much more intimate way. Exhibit runs until Dec. 20; davidzwirner.com/exhibitions

Perrotin

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Spanning over 1,600 square meters across three historic buildings, the gallery has played a pivotal role in the early careers of now-renowned artists such as Maurizio Cattelan, Takashi Murakami, Sophie Calle and Daniel Arsham. This homegrown Parisian institution set the stage for the city’s renewed global prominence in the art world. Perrotin will be exhibiting three artists this fall – Jean-Michel Othoniel, Cristina BanBan and Bharti Kher. Exhibits run until Dec. 20; perrotin.com

Galerie Chantal Crousel

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When Chantal Crousel founded her gallery in 1980, the Paris art scene was still largely Eurocentric and male-dominated. The gallery’s mission has always been to champion artists from diverse backgrounds. She is a pioneer who deserves to be recognized. The gallery will present Partituras, a contemporary art exhibition by Mexico’s Gabriel Orozco. Exhibit runs until Nov. 22; crousel.com/en/