Art Paris 2026 Returns to the Grand Palais with a Curated Focus on Language, Reparation and Design

When Art Paris opens its doors at the Grand Palais from April 9 to 12, 2026, it will do so with renewed ambition and intellectual clarity. Long established as France’s leading spring fair for modern and contemporary art, the 28th edition positions itself firmly at the intersection of historical reflection, contemporary creation and global dialogue.

This year’s edition unfolds around two major curated themes. Babel – Art and Language in France, curated by Loïc Le Gall, examines language as a system of signs, symbols and structures shaping artistic practice. Through works spanning generations, the theme explores how artists working in France have engaged with linguistic expression, communication and its fractures, highlighting the political, poetic and conceptual dimensions of language in art.

Running in parallel, Reparation, curated by Alexia Fabre, approaches the notion of repair not as a single act, but as a long-term process of care, resistance and continuity. The theme brings together artists whose practices address historical trauma, memory, identity and healing, proposing reparation as an ongoing gesture embedded in artistic creation. Together, the two curatorial axes offer a thoughtful framework that moves beyond aesthetics to address urgent cultural and social questions.

Art Paris 2026 will welcome more than 160 galleries from over 20 countries, with international exhibitors accounting for 40 per cent of participants, alongside 60 per cent French galleries. Notably, nearly a third of the exhibitors will be first-time participants, reflecting the fair’s continued openness to new voices and perspectives. This balance underscores both the vitality of the French gallery scene and its dialogue with an increasingly international art market.

A strong focus on emerging practices remains central to the fair through the Promises sector, which will host 27 young galleries dedicated to showcasing new artistic positions. The initiative reinforces

Art Paris’s commitment to supporting the next generation of artists and galleries, positioning experimentation and discovery at the heart of the fair.

Following its successful debut in 2025, the French Design Art Edition returns in an expanded format, further blurring the boundaries between art and design. This section highlights the growing dialogue between contemporary design, collectible objects and artistic expression, reflecting evolving practices and collector interests.

Beyond gallery presentations, Art Paris 2026 will feature monographic exhibitions, institutional collaborations and a program of talks and conferences, alongside major art prizes. A dedicated presentation of African, South American and Caribbean artists from the City of Paris collection will also offer an important institutional perspective, reinforcing the fair’s engagement with cultural diversity and global narratives.

With its return to the Grand Palais and an increasingly curated, multidisciplinary program, Art Paris continues to affirm its distinct identity: a fair rooted in the French art ecosystem while remaining open to the world, offering a space where contemporary creation is examined through both critical and cultural lenses.