Which Fall Fair is right for you?
The busiest time of the year for contemporary art in Paris is coming again. Even more than usual, the third week of October will be packed with art fairs, exhibition openings, galleries night, events, auctions, outdoor installations, parties... The growing attractiveness of Paris is illustrated by the hundreds of events. It’s going to be difficult to choose what to see! Read our review to help you decide which art fair you will attend.
Starting Sunday
This year, it all starts at the galleries! On Saturday, many galleries are opening their new show. Be ready for a festive spirit at Danysz, Perrotin, Almine Rech, Mendes Wood (inaugural exhibition for this newcomer in Paris), Semiose... It continues on Sunday October 15, where 153 galleries will be open to welcome all visitors.
Gallery openings list
Starting Sunday, Oct 15, 2-6pm
1- Paris+ by Art Basel
Unmissable for contemporary art professionnels and serious collectors. More than 150 galleries should bring their best artworks to the Grand Palais Ephémère, normally the last fair there before returning to Grand Palais in 2024. You will find a big section for confirmed galleries and a smaller one for emerging galleries. Be careful, this year, you cannot buy tickets for Thursday that is now only upon invitation.
The free outdoor program of sculptures and installations has been extended to 6 places, notably a monumental sculpture by Urs Fischer place Vendôme, a textile column by Sheila Hicks in front of the Institut de France, a confrontation between Pistoletto and Buren at Palais d’Iena, and many more sculptures in the Tuileries gardens. Our tip: take this opportunity to visit one of our favorite hidden place in Paris, the Petit Augustins chapel inside the School of Fine Art, presenting works by Jessica Warboys.
>> If you love name recognition and seeing artists, gallerists and collectors who are on the international art fair circuit.
You like recognizing works you've seen in museums and art magazines. The ones that make headlines when they sell at auction.
You love to see so much art, among crowds of fellow-admirers, so much art it sets your brain on fire. In a good way.
PARIS+ by ART BASEL, at Grand Palais Ephémère, Champs de Mars, 2 place Joffre.
VIP days: Oct 18-19
Public opening days: Oct 20-22. Full price 40€
2- Design Miami/ in Paris
Art Basel is not coming alone this year, its sister fair dedicated to design, called Design Miami/, happening so far in Basel and Miami, will showcase historic and contemporary collectible design pieces by leading Parisian and international galleries. Furniture from 26 galleries covering the 20th century to today will be highlighted in the magnificent 18th century private mansion, L’hôtel de Maisons, previous home of Karl Lagerfeld belonging today to the former president of Gabon, Ali Bongo.
>> If you like design, don’t miss it!
Design Miami/Paris, Hôtel de Maisons, 51 rue de l’Université, 75007.
VIP day: October 17
Public days: Oct 18-22.
3- Paris Internationale
For its 9th edition, the fair will be taking over an unknown former phone call center, near the Grands Boulevards, with a large participation of 65 galleries from 26 countries - we count on its usual work in progress atmosphere!
>> If you're interested in the next big thing, up-and-coming artists with an edge, those represented by younger galleries -but already acclaimed by the art world.
You’re willing to take a chance on less well-known names, new techniques and new visions. (We are not saying that all artworks there are inexpensive, be warned.)
You want to have an opinion on the latest trends in art, with a less tight and more spontaneous atmosphere, you won't be disappointed.
PARIS INTERNATIONALE, Centrale Le Coeur, 17 rue du Faubourg Poissonnière, 75009.
VIP day: Oct 18
Public days: Oct 19-23. Free upon registration on their site.
4- Asia Now
Asia Now is returning again to the Monnaie de Paris - the French Mint on the Seine, with a lively mix of galleries exhibitions, open-air projects in the courtyards. The art collective Slavs and Tatars has been invited to curate an exhibition on textile and rugs. This fair has become unmissable for the representation of the contemporary art scene of Asia, from West to Southeast Asia and their diaspora (65 galleries from 25 countries, including blue-chips ones).
If you feel that an entire new art market and artist generation is growing and you want to discover it? You will learn, discover and appreciate a lot at…
ASIA NOW PARIS, Monnaie de Paris, 11 quai de Conti.
Public opening days: Oct 20-23. Full price: 15€
5- Offscreen
After the first edition in 2022, Offscreen is coming back and confirming its angle on still to animated images: video, film, photography, sculpture, mixed-media installations & digital works. This year, they will invest an old garage, presenting 25 artists, on 8 levels!
You want to spend more time focusing on a selection of powerful images, visit the second edition of
OFFSCREEN, Grand Garage Haussmann
43 rue de Laborde, 75008
Public opening days: Oct 18-22. Free upon registration
6- Also Known as Africa
If you want to discover, be amazed and collect the exponential growing scene of artists from Africa and its diaspora, visit AKAA art fair, aka Also Known as Africa, returning for its 8th edition with 36 international galleries. The fair has gathered an interesting team of curators and artists to present projects, installations and critical pieces.
AKAA, Carreau du Temple, 4 rue Eugene Spuller, 3e
Public opening days: Oct 20-22. Full price, 16€
7- Moderne art fair
If you want to see or buy modern and contemporary art. You trust your own inner art critic, you know what you like, or you will know it when you see it. You don't need the marketplace to tell you what to buy. You want to buy but your budget has fewer zeros than would get you a Jeff Koons. You should look for the white tents of
MODERNE ART FAIR, Place Clémenceau to Place de la Concorde.
Public opening days: Oct 19-22. Full price, 20€
8- Private choice
If you like a fair set in the conditions of a real home, go see the annual selection of art and design in a typical and beautiful Haussmanian appartement upgraded by
PRIVATE CHOICE, 7 avenue Franklin D. Roosevelt, 8e
Public opening days: Oct 15-22. Free upon registration on their site.
9- Thema
The youngest fair of that list, Thema is gathering artists and designers working in art, architecture and crafts that are engaged in ethical practices. The event, created by the founder of the Paris and Los-Angeles concept-store L’Eclaireur, is located just on the other side of the street of Design Miami. The vacant private mansion where it happens offers an old-fashioned and magical atmosphere.
THEMA FAIR, Hôtel de Guise, 72 rue de l’Université, 7e.
Public opening days: Oct 18-21. Full price, 15€
In Paris during that week
Museum exhibitions: many openings and great shows - list here
Galleries exhibitions: Don't want to commit, just want an afternoon or evening stroll with great art? Ask us for a custom art tour! Pick the Marais, Saint Germain, Matignon -- you name it, it'll be a great moment for art.
Get a city I art insider private tour
Auctions: look at the sites of Christie’s, Sotheby’s, Bonhams, Artcurial, Piazza, Drouot,… they are planning special contemporary art auctions at that period!
November fairs
Two weeks only after the Contemporary art week, get ready for November fairs, mainly around photography but also Fine Arts and more.
Paris Photo, November 9-12
Approche, November 9-12
Fine Art Paris Biennale, Nov 21-26