Did you know that photography was invented by a Frenchman? The engineer Nicéphore Niépce perfected the photographic process. It took him 11 years to produce the very first stable photograph, in 1824. Sadly, Nicephore died suddenly in 1833, without ever making a living from his invention. Since then, photography has been perfected and even professionalized. Pictures that tell the story of today and tomorrow, of fashion and nature, and that you can admire today in superb photo exhibitions in Paris.
Agnès Varda’s Paris at the Musée Carnavalet
A talented director and photographer, the late Agnès Varda undeniably left her mark on her time. To pay tribute to her, the Musée Carnavalet is currently exhibiting 130 prints by the artist, many of them previously unseen, until August 24. In love with Paris, you’ll discover Agnès as never before.
📍 Location: 16 rue des Francs-Bourgeois 75003 Paris
📆 Dates: until August 24
🎟️ Price: 13 to 15 euros
A festival dedicated to young European photographers
Generazione Vulcano © Giulia Frigieri
More than an exhibition, Circulation(s) is a festival dedicated to young European photography. Each year, the event takes over the 104 building to take stock of the state of the art in young photography. More than twenty European photographers, or photographers living in Europe, present their work at the event! Documentary photography, intimate stories, fiction or a multidisciplinary approach, discover the creativity of this scene!
📍 Location: 5 rue Curial, 75019 Paris
📆 Date: April 5 to June 1, 2025
🎟️ Price: full rate €6 / reduced rate €5
David Bowie in photos
David Bowie, Mr Jones’ Long Hair is the free exhibition celebrating the memory of the genius who died in 2016. Galerie MR8, in the Marais district of Paris, has put together a series of portraits and photographs of David Bowie, showing the star from every angle.
📍 Location: 8, rue des Francs Bourgeois, 75003 Paris
📆 Date: March 22 to June 22, 2025
🎟️ Price: free admission
A major retrospective on Robert Doisneau
Les frères, rue du Docteur Mecène, Paris, 1934 © Atelier Robert Doisneau
It’s been twenty years since Paris devoted an exhibition to France’s greatest photographer! Robert Doisneau, the humanist photographer, will be in the spotlight at the Musée Maillol, where a little over 300 photographs will be on display from April onwards! Series on childhood, Paris and its inhabitants, the suburbs or the literary world… discover the themes that punctuated his rich output!
📍 Location: 59-61 Rue de Grenelle, 75007 Paris
📆 Date: April 17 to October 12, 2025
🎟️ Price: 16.50 full price / 12 € concessions
Discover Paris Sauvage at Bercy Village
Immerse yourself in the fascinating world of Parisian urban wildlife with the free “Paris Sauvage” exhibition at Bercy Village. Nicolas Davy’s spectacular photographs reveal the unsuspected presence of wild animals in and around the capital. From foxes to owls and squirrels, this exhibition offers a unique look at the cohabitation between urban life and nature.
📍 Location: Cour Saint-Émilion, 75012 Paris
🗓️ Dates: January 16 to June 1, 2025
View the work of Dennis Morris at the MEP
From February 2025, the Maison Européenne de la Photographie (highly recommended if you like photography) presents the first French retrospective devoted to Dennis Morris. The Briton, author of iconic images of Bob Marley, has also immortalized Marianne Faithfull, Oasis and the Sex Pistols. We retrace his career, from his first photos in London’s working-class neighborhoods to portraits of iconic figures from the music scene!
📍 Location: 5/7, rue de Fourcy, 75004 Paris
📆 Date: February 5 to May 18, 2025
🎟️ Price: €13 full price