The fourth edition of Art Basel Paris is scheduled to take place from October 24 to October 26, 2025, within the newly renovated Grand Palais. This major cultural event is set to reaffirm Paris’s standing as the key European epicenter for contemporary art. Attracting collectors and enthusiasts globally, the fair will feature 206 international galleries, presenting a wide spectrum of works ranging from established masterpieces to pieces by emerging talents. Fair Director Clément Delepine noted that this staging represented the first truly “normal” iteration, signifying the fair’s complete integration into the historic architecture of the Grand Palais.
The success of Art Basel Paris is closely tied to the strategic enhancement of Paris’s position in the global market. This ascent has been significantly bolstered by favorable tax regulations and the subsequent migration of international art market participants away from London following Brexit. The atmosphere within the fair suggests a more thoughtful tempo; the speculative frenzy that once characterized the market has largely subsided, replaced by a climate where extensive dialogue precedes any purchase.
Despite the measured pace, the preliminary viewings resulted in substantial transactions. Hauser & Wirth, for example, reported sales surpassing $30 million. This figure included the high-profile acquisition of Gerhard Richter’s “Abstraktes Bild” (1987) for $23 million, a sale that highlights collectors’ continued preference for proven masters who carry significant museum weight and historical importance.
The fair’s structure utilizes a multi-layered approach to cater to different segments of the art ecosystem. The core “Galleries” sector serves as the anchor, showcasing blue-chip works and museum-level canvases. Conversely, the “Emergence” section is dedicated to highlighting new voices and burgeoning talents. Meanwhile, “Premise” features bold curatorial projects, occasionally incorporating historical pieces that date as far back as before 1900. Crucially, 63 of the participating galleries are based in France, underscoring the exceptional vitality of the local art community.
Extending beyond the exhibition halls, the city of Paris transformed into an expansive showcase for creativity. The public program encompassed nine iconic Parisian locations. Notable installations included Harry Nuriev’s work housed in the Chapelle des Petits-Augustins, and monumental outdoor sculptures, such as Alex Da Corte’s inflatable Kermit the Frog situated prominently in Place Vendôme. Furthermore, the Grand Palais hosted a complementary exhibition focused on the collaborative efforts of “Niki de Saint Phalle, Jean Tinguely, and Pontus Hultén,” which remained open to the public until January 2026.
As the successor to the forty-year-old FIAC fair, Art Basel Paris not only honors that heritage but actively sets a contemporary trajectory, solidifying the French capital’s crucial role as the locus where the future of artistic discourse is defined and affirmed for the international stage.