The designation of this particular French city as the World Cultural Capital for the year 2025 is well-deserved (and apparently, it's not simply by chance).
Paris, the city of lights, continues to dazzle as it stands at the crossroads of heritage and ephemera, offering a unique style where creation finds its way everywhere. From the streets and walls to courtyards and former garages, art and culture permeate every corner of the city.
Recently, Paris was ranked as the best cultural city in a global survey conducted by Time Out, a testament to its perpetual effervescence. The survey combined votes from 18,500 citizens with analysis from an expert jury, applauding Paris's creativity, accessibility, and ever-evolving programming.
The Grand Palais, a historical monument, has reopened its doors at the beginning of the year, currently hosting a dazzling exhibition dedicated to Dolce & Gabbana. Meanwhile, the Palais de Tokyo, a venue for avant-garde art, extends its opening hours until 10 pm, providing visitors with ample time to explore its contemporary exhibits.
The Centre Pompidou, a staple of modern and contemporary art, is giving carte blanche to German artist Wolfgang Tillmans for an exhibition on level 2 of the Public Information Library. However, it has been announced that the Centre Pompidou will temporarily close later in the year for renovations.
Parisians and visitors alike can look forward to a host of upcoming cultural events and exhibitions in 2025. The Louvre Museum will showcase a fashion exhibition from January 24 to August 24, featuring classical art alongside creations by top couturiers and emerging talents.
In August, Musée Jacquemart-André will offer immersive theatrical tours titled "Les Secrets de Nélie", providing a Belle Époque experience through period costumes and stories. Later in the year, the Fondation Louis Vuitton will host the David Hockney 25 exhibition, featuring a musical and artistic nocturne on its closing night.
The Bourse de Commerce will exhibit "Corps et âmes", exploring the significance of the body in contemporary thought, until August 25. Another noteworthy exhibition, "Sargent, the Parisian years (1874-1884)", will be displayed at Musée d’Orsay from September 23, 2025, to January 11, 2026, showcasing over 90 works by John Singer Sargent, including some never before shown in France.
In September, Atelier des Lumières will launch "Destination Moon: an immersive journey with Tom Hanks", combining art and science in an immersive format. Gallery Mathgoth in the 13th arrondissement will celebrate the poetic and committed work of street artist Miss.Tic with an exhibition from September 27 to October 25.
The Paris Autumn Festival (Festival d'Automne) will run from early September 2025 to January 2026, featuring over 50 contemporary dance, theater, music, cinema, and visual arts events at over 70 venues, including Galeries Lafayette, Parc de la Villette, Pinault Collection, Louvre, and Pompidou Center.
Lastly, the Fondation Azzedine Alaïa will explore the influential friendship and impact on 1980s-90s fashion between Azzedine Alaïa and Thierry Mugler in an exhibition from March 3 to June 29, 2025.
Ongoing exhibitions at the Grand Palais include the Decharme donation to Centre Pompidou and family-friendly activities and festivals, with events also planned for September 20-21, 2025.
Paris's residents praise its cultural abundance, with several restaurants offering Latin American cuisine, and theatre taking over public squares, dance colonising the quays, and live arts disrupting routines in the city. As Paris shines with a cultural brilliance unmatched, it continues to be a vibrant center for cultural happenings throughout 2025.
- In-flights to Paris this year will undoubtedly expose travelers to a diverse range of fashion-and-beauty trends, as the City of Lights hosts numerous exhibitions showcasing both established and emerging designers.
- Paris's perpetual cultural evolution is not confined to art galleries and museums; it spills into the lifestyle of the city, with theatrical performances, dance events, and immersive art experiences transforming public spaces and even in-flights.
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