
A leading figure of the New Wave, Agnès Varda is one of the most influential filmmakers of her time. Now, six years after her death, a fitting tribute will be paid to her this spring at the Musée Carnavalet, with the exhibition Le Paris d’Agnès Varda, de-ci, de-là . The exhibition runs from April 9 to August 24, and provides an opportunity to examine a little-known aspect of the filmmaker’s work, namely her love of photography.
Agnès Varda’s Paris: the new exhibition at the Musée Carnavalet
The Musée Carnavalet, dedicated to the history of Paris, will host an exceptional exhibition entitled “Le Paris d’Agnès Varda, de-ci, de-là”, this spring and summer. This retrospective pays tribute to filmmaker and photographer Agnès Varda, an emblematic figure of the Nouvelle Vague, by exploring her deep-rooted connection with the French capital.
The exhibition highlights a lesser-known facet of the artist’s work: her photography. Through 130 prints, many of them previously unpublished, the exhibition traces Varda’s early career as a photographer, notably in her famous studio on rue Daguerre (Paris 14th). This place, where she lived and created for almost 70 years, will be at the heart of the exhibition.
Visitors will discover photographs taken in the courtyard, which was transformed into a studio in 1954, as well as personal objects and rare documents from the archives of Ciné-Tamaris, her production company. The exhibition also parallels his photographic and cinematographic work. Excerpts from films shot in Paris, such as Cléo de 5 à 7 and Les Daguerréotypes, will illustrate his unique vision of the city and its inhabitants.
Among the themes addressed is his commitment to women and the marginalized, with a presentation of the portraits of women he made for L’une chante, l’autre pas. This ambitious project is the fruit of two years’ research, curated by Valérie Guillaume and Anne de Mondenard. It promises to be an intimate plunge into the world of Agnès Varda, where Paris becomes a character in its own right. An unmissable opportunity for art and film lovers to explore the rich, poetic legacy of this extraordinary artist.
Le Paris d’Agnès Varda, de-ci de-là – April 9 to August 24, 2025 – Musée Carnavalet – 23, rue de Sévigné, 75003