Art Paris 2026: Modern and Contemporary Art at the Grand Palais

Art Paris 2026, the 28th edition of the premier spring fair for modern and contemporary art, is taking place from April 9 to April 12, 2026. The event has returned to the Grand Palais, utilizing the majestic nave and balconies of the recently renovated Belle Epoque landmark.

The fair features approximately 165 French and international galleries. The program is designed to maintain a balance between its regional character and a cosmopolitan perspective, reflecting the current artistic renaissance occurring within Paris.

Curated Themes: Language and Reparation

The 2026 edition is anchored by two primary themes entrusted to guest curators, which guide visitors through the fair and are accompanied by a catalogue detailing the work of each selected artist.

The first theme, Babel – Art and Language in France, is curated by Loïc Le Gall, Director of the Passerelle Centre d’Art Contemporain. This themed visit highlights 21 artists selected from the participating galleries whose work examines linguistic structures and sign systems in French contemporary art.

The selection for Babel includes artists such as Laure Prouvost, Fabrice Hyber, and the late Ben Vautier. According to Leïc Le Gall, the works explore the material nature of letters, the tension between text and images, translation, and the circulation of words across networks.

The ensemble proves that art is a laboratory where the forms of language are observed and analysed, sometimes used in new contexts and often reinvented.

Loïc Le Gall

Parallel to the focus on language, the fair presents a second theme titled Reparation, curated by Alexia Fabre, Executive Director of the Centre Pompidou Francilien. This segment takes an international outlook, featuring 20 international artists, including Kader Attia and Otobong Nkanga.

The Reparation theme explores the role of art as a tool for mending symbolic and physical wounds. The curation focuses on notions of resilience, historical silences, and the process of reconstructing reality.

Recognition and Prizes

As part of the event’s focus on the French art scene, the BNP Paribas Banque Privée Prize has been awarded to artist Sara Ouhaddou.

The inclusion of this prize emphasizes the fair’s commitment to highlighting emerging and established voices within the French artistic landscape alongside its international offerings.

Venue and Scale

The decision to host the fair at the Grand Palais follows a previous return to the site in 2025. The architecture of the venue, specifically the nave and balconies, serves as a backdrop for the dialogue between the 165 galleries.

The fair’s structure is intended to address contemporary global issues through its curated visits, inviting attendees to rethink their relationship with symbols, words, and the collective construction of reality.