Paris will host three special exhibition highlights in the fall and winter of 2026. The focus will be on the 100th anniversary of Claude Monet’s death. But the rediscovery of the collector and painter Gustave Fayet, as well as a major Cézanne exhibition at the Grand Palais, also promise exciting insights into modern art.
100 Years of Monet: The Magic of the Moment, Musée de l’Orangerie
To mark the 100th anniversary of Claude Monet’s death, the Musée de l’Orangerie is presenting “Monet, peindre le temps,” an exhibition dedicated to the central theme of his work: light and the passage of time. Some 40 paintings demonstrate how the Impressionist continually reinterpreted the same subjects. His water lilies, grain stacks, and cathedral views reveal how nature and atmosphere change with every passing hour. A reunion with an artist whose perspective on the world continues to fascinate to this day.
Gustave Fayet: A Collector with Exceptional Instinct, Fondation Louis Vuitton
One of the most interesting discoveries of this season is Gustave Fayet (1865–1925). The French painter and collector recognized the significance of artists such as Van Gogh, Gauguin, Cézanne, and Odilon Redon early on. The Fondation Louis Vuitton is now bringing together numerous works from his once-significant collection. In addition to masterpieces by his famous contemporaries, the exhibition also features Fayet’s own works, including paintings, watercolors, ceramics, and textile designs. It is a long-overdue tribute to an extraordinary figure in French art history.
Cézanne and Us: The Pioneer of Modernism, Grand Palais
With “Cézanne et nous,” the Grand Palais explores Paul Cézanne’s enduring influence on modern art. Some 180 works demonstrate how artists—from Picasso and Matisse to contemporary artists—have built upon his visual language. Cézanne’s unconventional approach to color, form, and perspective fundamentally transformed painting and paved the way for Cubism and abstraction.
Three exhibitions, three different approaches to art history. Paris proves once again why the city is worth a visit for art lovers.
