Art Basel Paris 2026 to Feature 211 Exhibitors at Grand Palais Under New Director

Art Basel Paris will return to the Grand Palais from 23 to 25 October 2026, with Preview Days on 21 and 22 October and a public Vernissage on 22 October. This marks the fair’s fifth edition and the first under the direction of Karim Crippa. Crippa has stated that his focus is on strengthening a platform shaped by the city, for the city, and in dialogue with the international art and cultural community. The fair aims to reflect both the vitality of the Paris scene and the commitment of the international gallery community to what is being built in Paris.

The 2026 edition will feature 211 exhibitors from 41 countries and territories, participating across the fair’s three sectors: Galeries, Emergence, and Premise. Nearly 30 galleries will be joining the fair for the first time, highlighting the evolving and dynamic nature of the event. The strong presence of galleries from France underscores the depth and continuity of the French gallery ecosystem and its central role in shaping the identity of the fair. More than 60 of this year’s exhibitors operate spaces in France, demonstrating sustained local participation.

A record 12 joint booth presentations will be featured, highlighting a growing culture of experimentation and cross-gallery collaboration. These joint booths represent new formats for presentation within the fair’s main sector, as exhibitors develop innovative approaches to showcasing art. This emphasis on collaboration and experimentation is intended to foster new ways for galleries to engage with visitors and each other.

The acclaimed Public Program will return for its fifth edition, organised in partnership with leading Parisian institutions. Miu Miu will serve as the Public Program Official Partner. The Public Program is designed to engage the wider public and foster connections between the fair and the broader cultural landscape of Paris. It is a key element of the fair’s commitment to dialogue and exchange.

The fair’s signature rehang initiative, "Oh La La!", will return on 23 and 24 October. This initiative will be led by a guest collaborator from outside the art world, offering a fresh perspective on the presentation of works within the fair. "Oh La La!" is intended to bring new voices and ideas into the curatorial process, further enriching the fair’s programming.

Avant-Première, the invitation-only preview for galleries and their principal clients, will take place on 20 October. This exclusive event provides early access to the fair and is designed to facilitate connections between galleries and collectors. It complements the broader fair experience, which is intended to reflect Paris’s unique character as a city defined by contrast, exchange, and a blend of historic grandeur with youthful, diverse, and underground cultures.

According to the Art Basel & UBS Global Art Market Report 2026, sales in France reached USD 4.5 billion in 2025, representing a 9% year-on-year increase following two years of contraction and a return above 2019 levels. France accounts for 8% of the global art market, ranking as the fourth-largest market worldwide and the largest in the European Union. France represents more than half of the EU art market by value, underscoring its significance within the global art market context.

Art Basel Paris is described as a platform that brings the strength of the French gallery ecosystem into deeper dialogue with the international art world. Under the glass dome of the Grand Palais, the fair brings together diverse histories, cultures, and ideas. The event is characterised as unmistakably Parisian in character and international in outlook, offering visitors moments of personal discovery and connection with art. The fair’s ambition is to create an environment where what stays with each visitor is entirely their own experience.