What if you could travel back in time without leaving the capital? You don't need a DeLorean or any other time machine straight out of an H.G. Wells novel to do this: the museums of Paris and its suburbs do the job very well, and many of them have great historical exhibitions to tell you all about the various eras of the past.
Whether it's thehistory of France or of other countries around the world, there's something for every taste and desire... And for all ages! Take a trip to the Musée de l'Armée, for example, to learn all about the history of wars in France and around the world. Or head to the Musée Guimet or the Musée Cernuschi, to immerse yourself in Asian history and culture. You could also opt for the Musée de la Libération de Paris, or the Musée de la Grande Guerre de Meaux, to learn more about the history of the First and Second World Wars... In short, it's the perfect place to learn all about history!
Please note that this guide is updated regularly as we make new discoveries and announcements, so be sure to keep this page handy so you don't miss out on any of the great historical exhibitions to come in Paris and the Île-de-France region! Mark your calendars!
Des chevaux et des hommes: the touching exhibition at the Musée de la Grande Guerre in Meaux
The Musée de la Grande Guerre in Meaux looks at the place and fate of horses in war, in an exhibition on view from April 12, 2025 to January 5, 2026. The museum is open every day except Tuesday, from 9.30am to 6pm (May 1, December 25, January 1). Admission is free every 1st Sunday of the month. [Read more]
Treasures of the Al Thani Collection, the exhibition at Hôtel de la Marine
The Centre des Monuments nationaux and the Al Thani Collection Foundation unveil the new galleries dedicated to the exhibition of Prince Qatar's works. As of November 18, 2021, come and discover the first temporary exhibition entitled "Treasures from the Al Thani Collection". [Read more]
Three centuries at Isle Adam: the Musée d'Art et d'Histoire Louis Senlecq's bucolic exhibition
The Musée d'Art et d'Histoire Louis-Senlecq invites you to discover the history of L'Isle-Adam, in the Val-d'Oise, through an exhibition that takes you on a journey through time and the region's natural landscapes, from October 20, 2024 to September 21, 2025. [Read more]
Magic! Our photos of the Musée de la Carte à Jouer's playful exhibition of magic tricks.
With a flick of the wand, the Musée de la Carte à Jouer plunges us into the world of 19th-century magic, with its "Magique!" exhibition, on view from December 18, 2024 to August 14, 2025. We dropped in for a tour... We tell you all about it! [Read more]
Agatha Christie, in search of archaeology: the exhibition at the Musée archéologique du Val d'Oise
Follow in the footsteps of Agatha Christie and her passion for archaeology, thanks to a new exhibition at the Musée archéologique du Val d'Oise, on view from February 8 to December 28, 2025. [Read more]
Au fil de l'or: the brilliant exhibition on gold in the art of fashion at the Musée du Quai Branly - photos
The Musée du Quai Branly takes us into a sparkling universe, where gold meets the art of textiles. Travel from the Orient to the Land of the Rising Sun with the exceptional exhibition "Au fil de l'or", on view from February 11 to July 6, 2025. [Read more]
Objets en Question: the exhibition at the Musée du Quai Branly
The Musée du Quai Branly - Jacques Chirac unveils the exhibition "Objets en Questions", to be discovered from February 11 to June 22, 2025 in the Marc Ladreit de Lacharrière gallery. The exhibition explores the crossroads between avant-garde art, archaeology and ethnology, while questioning the notion of the art object and the dialogue between disciplines. [Read more]
Suresnes, city of perfumers: the Musée d'histoire urbaine et sociale exhibition
Until June 15, 2025, the Musée d'histoire urbaine et sociale de Suresnes invites you to immerse yourself in the world of perfumery, an industry that has left its mark on the town, through an exhibition. [Read more]
Fighting exile: the Musée de l'Armée unveils artists' struggles in a new exhibition
During the Second World War, everyone fought in their own way: the Musée de l'Armée pays tribute to artists and intellectuals with the exhibition Un exil combattant, presented from February 26 to June 22, 2025. [Read more]
Hygiene in the Middle Ages: the historical exhibition at the Tour Jean Sans Peur
The Tour Jean Sans Peur puts an end to preconceived ideas, with its exhibition "Hygiene in the Middle Ages", presented from March 12 to December 28, 2025. [Read more]
Alfred Dreyfus. Truth and justice: the educational exhibition at the Musée d'art et d'Histoire du Judaïsme
The Musée d'art et d'Histoire du Judaïsme revisits the Dreyfus affair, with an educational and historical exhibition on view from March 13 to August 31, 2025. [Read more]
Andrea Appiani, Napoleon's first painter in Italy: the exhibition at the Château de Bois-Préau
The Châteaux de Malmaison and Bois-Préau present "Andrea Appiani, Napoleon's first painter in Italy", an exhibition of paintings on view from March 16 to July 28, 2025. [Read more]
L'art est dans la rue at the Musée d'Orsay, the exhibition on the golden age of posters in Paris - photos
The Musée d'Orsay presents the exhibition "L'art est dans la rue", from March 18 to July 6, 2025, dedicated to the spectacular rise of the illustrated poster in Paris during the second half of the XIXᵉ century. This unprecedented retrospective brings together around 230 works, offering an immersion into the visual world of the city at this pivotal period. Discover poster masters ranging from Bonnard and Toulouse-Lautrec to Mucha and Grasset. [Read more]
Experiencing nature: the Louvre Museum recounts the meeting of art and science in Prague
The court of Emperor Rudolf II in Prague attracted many scientists and artists. The Musée du Louvre revisits this fertile period with the exhibition The Experience of Nature, on view from March 19 to June 30, 2025. [Read more]
Daniel Cordier: war, art, history: the Musée de la Libération's tribute exhibition
He was a member of the Resistance, an art dealer and a historian: discover the exceptional career of Daniel Cordier, in an exhibition presented by the Musée de la Libération from March 19 to July 13, 2025. [Read more]
Convoquer les Chimères: our photos of the exhibition combining contemporary and medieval art at the Musée de Cluny
From March 25 to July 20, 2025, the Musée de Cluny in Paris will be hosting "Convoquer les Chimères", an exhibition featuring a dialogue between medieval works and contemporary creations. The works are scattered throughout the permanent collections. [Read more]
Music and the Republic: the free exhibition unveiled at the National Archives
The French National Archives present an original sound exhibition, revealing the links between music and the evolution of the Republic. On view free of charge from March 26 to July 14, 2025. [Read more]
The genocide of the Armenians of the Ottoman Empire: the historical exhibition at the Shoah Memorial
From April 1, 2025, the Shoah Memorial will be presenting a new exhibition devoted entirely to the Armenian genocide, a dark chapter in the history of the 20th century. [Read more]
Treasures saved from Gaza: the history of Gaza exposed through archaeological remains at the IMA
From April 3 to November 2, 2025, the Institut du Monde Arabe is presenting an exceptional collection of masterpieces and archaeological artefacts rescued from disaster in Gaza over the centuries. Discover the archaeological past of the Palestinian enclave! [Read more]
The Fabric of Enlightenment: the elegant exhibition at the Musée Jean-Jacques Rousseau
The Musée Jean-Jacques Rousseau invites you to discover 18th-century fashion and elegance, until October 26, 2025, through an exhibition that reveals the sartorial transformations of an era that was searching for itself, between luxury and the quest for simplicity. [Read more]
Banlieues Chéries: the exhibition on working-class neighborhoods at the Palais de la Porte Dorée
From April 9 to August 17, 2025, the Palais de la Porte Dorée is devoting an exhibition to working-class neighborhoods, entitled Banlieues Chéries. The exhibition explores the many facets of the French suburbs. From the end of the XIXᵉ century to the present day, immerse yourself in the history and imaginations of these territories, between pride, tensions and creativity, through a rich selection of works and documents. [Read more]
The Last Coronation: an immersive behind-the-scenes exhibition at Mobilier national
Dive behind the scenes of France's last royal coronation, that of Charles X in 1825, with Mobilier National's immersive, historical exhibition, on view from April 11 to July 20, 2025. [Read more]
Maisons de plaisance around Paris: the Musée du Domaine royal de Marly exhibition
From the Renaissance onwards, the elite left the city for the countryside, and the Domaine royal de Marly, which was one of these popular residences, illustrates this trend in an exhibition running from April 11 to August 31, 2025. [Read more]
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Mission Dakar-Djibouti [1931-1933]: Contre-enquêtes, the exhibition at the Musée du Quai Branly, our photos
For the first time, an exhibition looks at the conditions of acquisition of over 3,000 objects collected during a famous ethnographic mission carried out in the 1930s in fifteen African countries. "Mission Dakar-Djibouti [1931-1933]: Contre-enquêtes" is not to be missed at the Musée du Quai Branly - Jacques Chirac from April 15 to September 14, 2025. [Read more]
An exhibition on the Mamluks at the Musée du Louvre
The Musée du Louvre is devoting an exhibition to the Mamluk Sultanate, entitled "Mamlouks, 1250-1517", from April 30 to July 28, 2025. Through 260 works from international collections, immerse yourself in the fascinating history of this medieval empire that left its mark on Near Eastern art and culture. [Read more]
Royal bronzes from Angkor, an art of the divine: our photos of the exhibition at the Musée Guimet
An exhibition not to be missed! The Musée Guimet is devoting an exhibition to Khmer art and bronze, entitled "Bronzes royaux d'Angkor, un art du divin", from April 30 to September 8, 2025. On the program: a presentation of exceptional statues on loan from the National Museum of Cambodia, tracing the bronze art of Khmer heritage from the 9th century to the present day. [Read more]
The Berlin Wall, a divided world: the exhibition at the Cité de l'Architecture et du Patrimoine, our photos
A global symbol of the Cold War, the Berlin Wall divided the city in two for 28 long years. As the German capital celebrates the 35th anniversary of the fall of the Wall in 2024, the Cité de l'architecture et du patrimoine in Paris presents an original, well-documented exhibition at the heart of this Berlin cut in two. "The Berlin Wall. A world divided" is on view from May 14 to September 28, 2025. [Read more]
A new world: the Swedish Institute unveils its new permanent exhibition (Paris 3è)
Sponsored - From May 17, 2025, the Swedish Institute's permanent exhibition begins its new era. This new permanent display explores the artistic and societal revolutions of the XVIIIᵉ century, between progress, turmoil and dialogue between past and present, through four never-before-seen sections. Free admission, no reservation required. [Read more]
Jeju, the Korean island of a thousand secrets at the Korean Cultural Center
Sponsored - When it comes to South Korea, you're bound to know Seoul. From May 22 to September 6, 2025, thanks to the Korean Cultural Center's major exhibition, you can also discover Jeju Island and its famous haenyeo divers, emblematic figures of a maritime culture listed as intangible cultural heritage by UNESCO. Jeju, an island of memories, legends, resistance and raw beauty. Free admission. [Read more]
Genius and majesty: Louis XIV by Le Bernin: the exhibition at the Château de Versailles
Discover Louis XIV through the works of Bernini, with a new exhibition at the Château de Versailles from June 3 to September 28, 2025. [Read more]
An open-air exhibition to mark the centenary of the Marché aux Puces de Biron in Saint-Ouen
At the heart of the Puces de Saint-Ouen, Marché Biron celebrates its centenary this year, and goes back in time with a free open-air exhibition, from June 6 to September 29, 2025. [Read more]
The mystery of Cleopatra: the exhibition on the famous Egyptian queen at the IMA
She's a mythical figure of ancient history: discover the secrets of Cleopatra, the inimitable Queen of Egypt, with the exhibition "The Cleopatra Mystery", presented at the Institut du Monde Arabe from June 11, 2025 to January 11, 2026. [Read more]
The new History Gallery at the Château de Versailles to celebrate 400 years - photos
The History Gallery at the Château de Versailles reopens its doors to celebrate the 400th anniversary of this emblematic monument. Free of charge from September 15 to 17, 2023 for the Journées du Patrimoine (Heritage Days), then from September 21 with a ticket, discover a completely redesigned and refurbished gallery, retracing the history of the Château from its construction in 1623 by Louis XIII to the present day. More than 120 works from the Versailles collections, accompanied by a digital device, enable us to understand the creations, transformations and upheavals that have marked the Château. [Read more]
La Cité de l'Histoire, our test of the immersive French History experience at La Défense
Ready to plunge into the great History of France? The first Cité de l'Histoire is opening its doors in La Défense's Grande Arche, with a fun, immersive tour of our shared past. [Read more]
Masters of fire: the historical and educational exhibition at the Musée d'Archéologie Nationale
The Musée d'Archéologie Nationale takes us back to the Bronze Age, to discover the "Masters of Fire", with an educational exhibition on view from June 13, 2025 to March 6, 2026. [Read more]
Versailles and Marly underground: the archaeological exhibition on the Sun King's estates (78)
From June 14 to September 21, 2025, an archaeological exhibition at the Domaine national de Marly reveals forty years of excavations in the former estates of the Sun King, from the 17th to the 19th century. [Read more]
100 ans d'honneurs, destins de décorés: the anniversary exhibition at the Musée de la Légion d'honneur
To celebrate its 100th anniversary, the Musée de la Légion d'honneur is retracing its history with a free exhibition from June 25 to November 23, 2025. Portraits of honorees and emblematic items recount a century of memory in the service of the great figures and anonymous figures honored by the Nation. [Read more]
An exhibition dedicated to Colette, French woman of letters, at the BnF François-Mitterand
From September 23, 2025 to January 18, 2026, the Bibliothèque nationale de France, on the François-Mitterand site, celebrates a major figure in French literature, Colette, in a never-before-seen exhibition. [Read more]
19th-century Middle Ages: an exhibition on forgeries and copies at the Musée de Cluny
A journey through facsimiles, copies and forgeries... The Musée de Cluny invites you to discover the exhibition "Le Moyen Âge du 19e siècle. Creations, copies and forgeries in the precious arts", from October 7, 2025 to January 11, 2026. A fascinating journey to the heart of medieval precious arts and their reinterpretations in the 19th century, mixing authenticity, pastiches and forgeries. [Read more]
Le Grand Dauphin, fils de roi, père de roi et jamais roi: the exhibition at the Château de Versailles
Prince Louis de France, known as Monseigneur or the Grand Dauphin, was Louis XIV's eldest son, yet he never acceded to the throne. The Château de Versailles revisits his story in an exhibition opening on October 14, 2025. [Read more]
Centenary of the 1925 Decorative Arts Exhibition: a historic return to the Musée des Arts Décoratifs
The Musée des Arts Décoratifs celebrates the centenary of the 1925 Exposition Internationale des Arts Décoratifs with the reopening of its Art Deco collections on October 21, 2025, followed by a dedicated temporary exhibition on view until March 29, 2026. A fascinating dive into the masterpieces of this iconic period in Paris. [Read more]
In the wake of Magellan: the immersive exhibition at the Musée national de la Marine
Discover the incredible epic of Magellan and his crew 500 years ago on the seas of the globe through an immersive exhibition, from October 22, 2025, in the heart of the Musée national de la Marine. [Read more]
Amerindian allies at the court of Louis XV: the historical exhibition at the Château de Versailles
Immerse yourself in the Mississippi Valley from November 25, 2025 with the Château de Versailles exhibition on the native nations who allied themselves with the French when they settled in Louisiana during the reign of the young Louis XV. [Read more]
Dynastic jewels: a brilliant exhibition at Hôtel de la Marine
The Al Thani Collection and the Victoria and Albert Museum are collaborating to bring us a new exhibition that's sure to blow our minds. From November 27, 2025 to April 6, 2026, don't miss "Joyaux dynastiques" at the Hôtel de la Marine. [Read more]
A new exhibition on the Unicorn at the Musée de Cluny coming soon
The Musée de Cluny in Paris invites you to discover "La Licorne", an exhibition running from March 16 to June 28, 2026. Although details are still confidential, this event is in line with the museum's flagship exhibitions, highlighting iconic works such as La Dame à la Licorne. [Read more]
Enjoy your visit, folks!
