Under the direction of Karim Crippa, 211 galleries from 41 countries and regions converge at the Grand Palais, with exhibitions and cultural programs extending across the city’s historic landmarks and public spaces.
Paris has never been merely a setting for art. Its museums, architecture, and centuries of creative exchange have helped shape the course of art history. This October, Art Basel Paris draws on that legacy as it returns to the Grand Palais for its fifth edition, with an ambitious program that reaches well beyond the exhibition halls.
Taking place October 23–25, 2026, with preview days on October 21 and 22, the fair welcomes 211 galleries from 41 countries and regions under the leadership of its new director, Karim Crippa. Among them are 64 galleries with exhibition spaces in France, reflecting the strength of the country’s established art scene.
This year’s edition introduces 32 first-time participants, including nine making their debut at an Art Basel fair. The main Galeries sector features 183 exhibitors, while Emergence presents 16 solo exhibitions and Premise brings together 12 historically focused projects. Six galleries graduate from Emergence into the main sector, and a record 12 joint booths will unite 24 galleries in collaborative presentations.
Premise also moves into the larger Salon Seine, providing additional space for exhibitions that challenge conventional art historical narratives and bring lesser-known artists and movements into focus.
Art Beyond the Grand Palais
The fair’s expanded Public Program takes contemporary art into some of Paris’ most significant cultural and architectural spaces.
The Petit Palais, Palais d’Iéna, Cité de l’architecture et du patrimoine, and Beaux-Arts de Paris are among the participating institutions. Outdoor presentations will occupy Avenue Winston Churchill, Place Clemenceau, Square Jean Perrin, and the Jardin de la Nouvelle-France.
For the first time, the Parvis des Droits de l’Homme will also host a presentation, extending the program to one of the capital’s most recognizable public landmarks.
Rather than confining the experience to a single venue, these interventions invite visitors to encounter art within the city’s existing architectural and historical landscape.
New Perspectives and Familiar Traditions
The return of Oh La La! introduces another dimension to the fair. French actress Philippine Leroy-Beaulieu will art-direct this year’s edition under the theme Myths and Legends, inviting participating galleries to reimagine their booths through new presentations on Friday and Saturday.
Meanwhile, Conversations moves to the Grand Palais Auditorium for the first time. The program will bring together artists, museum directors, curators, collectors, and cultural figures for discussions addressing the ideas and developments shaping the art world.
France’s Place in the Global Art Market
The 2026 edition arrives as France maintains its position among the world’s leading art markets.
According to the Art Basel & UBS Global Art Market Report 2026, French art sales reached $4.5 billion in 2025, representing 8 percent of the global market and more than half of the European Union’s total by value. France ranks fourth worldwide.
Art Basel Paris also builds on the success of its previous edition, which welcomed more than 73,000 visitors and representatives from over 240 museums and foundations.
These figures offer a measure of the fair’s growing influence, although its significance is not solely commercial. The participation of emerging galleries alongside established international names reflects the breadth of artistic practices represented, from painting and sculpture to photography, performance, film, and new media.
With its expanded public presence and growing international participation, Art Basel Paris continues to strengthen its relationship with the French capital. In a city where artistic movements have repeatedly challenged convention, the fair finds fertile ground for its next chapter.
Visitor Information
Art Basel Paris 2026
Dates: October 23–25, 2026
Preview Days: October 21–22, 2026
Venue: Grand Palais, Paris, France
Participating Galleries: 211 from 41 countries and regions
Sectors: Galeries, Emergence, and Premise
Website: artbasel.com