France is set to host a landmark autumn art season in 2025, with a rich program of exhibitions and events designed to attract international attention. The season will showcase a diverse range of artistic expressions, from historical masters to contemporary innovators, reinforcing France's significant role in the global art world.
The cultural calendar kicks off with the Art-o-rama international contemporary art fair in Marseille, scheduled from August 29 to 31, 2025. This event will feature over 60 galleries and publishers from around the globe, creating a dynamic platform for artistic exchange.
Paris will be a central hub for the season's activities. The Jacquemart-André museum will present a major retrospective of the 17th-century painter Georges de La Tour from September 11, 2025, to January 25, 2026, highlighting his masterful use of light and shadow. Concurrently, the Bourse de Commerce will host "Weaving Space," the first comprehensive retrospective in France dedicated to the pioneering Brazilian artist Lygia Pape, running from September 10, 2025, to February 23, 2026. This exhibition will explore Pape's innovative approach that often blurs the lines between art object and viewer experience.
Further enriching the autumn program, the Musée de Grenoble will feature "Body Languages," a significant retrospective of Polish sculptor Alina Szapocznikow from September 20, 2025, to January 4, 2026, examining her powerful engagement with the human form. Additionally, the Crédac will showcase the work of contemporary Basque artist June Crespo, highlighting her unique sculptural language from September 21 to December 14, 2025.
The Louvre-Lens will delve into the enduring impact of a historical movement with its "Gothiques" exhibition, open from September 24, 2025, to January 26, 2026. This exhibition will trace the Gothic style's influence across art, architecture, literature, and cinema from its medieval origins to its modern resonance.
Concluding the season, the prestigious Prix Marcel-Duchamp will celebrate contemporary French art at the Musée d'Art moderne de Paris. The exhibition featuring the four finalists—Bianca Bondi, Eva Nielsen, Lionel Sabatté, and Xie Lei—will be on view from September 26, 2025, to February 22, 2026, with the winner announced on October 23, 2025. This award ceremony will underscore the vitality and innovation within France's current artistic landscape.
Collectively, these events demonstrate France's commitment to fostering artistic dialogue and showcasing its rich historical heritage alongside its dynamic contemporary art scene, promising a season of profound cultural engagement.