The invention of photography celebrates its 200th anniversary this year. Created by the French engineer Nicéphore Niépce, his invention required 11 years of work before the very first stable photograph in history was produced in 1824. Unfortunately, Nicéphore died suddenly in 1833 without ever having been able to make a living from his invention. Since then, photography has evolved and even become a professional field. To mark the 200th anniversary of this art form in its own right, the Ministry of Culture has decided to celebrate the occasion in a manner befitting the event. Nearly a thousand projects, exhibitions, publications, and films are scheduled throughout France and in some thirty countries between September 2026 and September 2027. And of course, Paris is also involved!
Two Centuries of Images in Hauts-de-Seine
Right now, and through December 18, the Domaine de Sceaux and the Parc Départemental des Chanteraines are hostinga free exhibition dedicated to photography. This outdoor exhibition will showcase 37 previously unseen photographic reproductions, illustrating the history and evolution of the Hauts-de-Seine department. A refreshing artistic stroll where you can discover or rediscover works by great masters of photography such as Robert Doisneau, Nadar, and Franck Horvat.
A major exhibition in Paris at the Grand Palais
The Paris program features a major retrospective at the Grand Palais: Gilles Caron — J’ai voulu voir, from March 16 to July 24, 2027. This deeply moving exhibition traces, through 150 prints, the dazzling body of work by a photojournalist who died prematurely at the age of 30 in Cambodia in 1970. The exhibition, conceived as a one-on-one encounter with the photographer himself, is guided by his own words and voice throughout the tour. A magnificent retrospective that allows visitors to understand and appreciate the full extent of this artist’s talent.
The Louvre in Photos
Who hasn’t taken a photo of the Louvre’s pyramids? One of the capital’s most iconic monuments tells its own story, from November 4, 2026, to May 3, 2027, through a unique photography exhibition. You’ll discover more than 300 photographs highlighting the world’s largest museum, in a unique exhibition featuring works dating from 1820 to the present day. A monument that has seen it all: two world wars, the “Trente Glorieuses,” the arrival of cars in the urban landscape, and then the addition of its glass pyramids that caused such a stir… This is an interactive exhibition, as the Louvre invites all aspiring photographers to take pictures of the museum and post them on Instagram with the hashtag #LouvrePhoto. Some photos will be selected to be included in the exhibition!
Japanese Photography at the BNF François-Mitterrand
From September 30, 2026, to January 30, 2027, discover the full diversity and poetry of Japanese photography from 1945 through a unique exhibition. Featuring 250 prints—mostly in black and white—this exhibition will introduce you to images that are at times intimate and at times journalistic, created by leading artists such as Hiroshi Hamaya, Yoko Yamamoto, and Shigeo Gocho. An immersive journey into Japanese culture that is not to be missed (admission: 15 euros).