Art Paris 2026: Language, memory and reparation take centre stage at the Grand Palais

Under the glass roof of the Grand Palais, Art Paris returns this week for its its 28th edition, bringing together more than 160 galleries from over 20 countries in a four-day fair that blends contemporary art, design and critical debate.

Running from 9 to 12 April, the 2026 edition leans into two central themes in the art world: language and reparation.

This year, around 40 per cent of exhibitors are international, with a strong mix of returning galleries and first-time participants.

At the core of this edition are two curated routes through the fair. “Babel: Art and Language in France,” curated by Loïc Le Gall, explores how artists work with language as both material and meaning.

Some pieces focus on the physical form of letters, others on translation, ambiguity and the movement of words across systems and cultures.

This exhibition shows art as a way of testing how we read, interpret and construct reality.

Running alongside it, “Reparation,” curated by Alexia Fabre, takes a more reflective approach. The theme looks at repair not just as restoration, but as a process tied to memory, loss and continuity.

Works in this section connect personal and collective histories, touching on ideas of care, resilience and the long-term work of rebuilding.

It is less about fixing the past and more about how artists carry it forward.

The overall exhibition is quite expansive with many different sub themes.

The Promises sector, dedicated to younger galleries, brings together 27 exhibitors, many of them first-time participants. It is one of the more dynamic areas of the fair, with a strong focus on emerging artists and a notable representation of women.

There is also a continued push into design.

The French Design Art Edition returns after its debut last year, expanding to include 17 exhibitors ranging from studios to interior designers.

Expect a mix of one-off pieces and limited series that blur the line between functional object and collectible artwork.

For visitors looking for something more focused, 24 monographic exhibitions are woven throughout the fair.

These smaller presentations allow for a closer look at individual artists, offering a quieter counterpoint to the scale of the main exhibition floor.

There is also a dedicated presentation from the City of Paris’ contemporary art collection that highlights artists from Africa, the Caribbean and South America, with a focus on addressing gaps in representation within French public collections.

It ties back to the theme of reparation, bringing questions of history and visibility into the centre of the fair.

Two major prizes will be awarded during the event, including the BNP Paribas Banque Privée Prize and the Her Art Prize, which recognises women artists and comes with a €30,000 award and international promotion.

Art Paris 2026 is on view to the general public from 9 to 12 April at the Grand Palais in Paris.