Art Paris 2025 at Grand Palais Éphémère
Art Paris 2025 concluded on April 6, welcoming a record 86,975 visitors. The fair showcased a diverse range of modern and contemporary art, solidifying its status as a key event in the international art calendar.
As Art Paris returned to the magnificent light-filled setting of the Grand Palais – enhanced by its recent renovation and seen to its advantage thanks to the beautiful weather – the press and visitors alike hailed this 27th edition as the most successful in the fair’s history. It was truly a lovely and joyous moment full of emotion and far from the turmoil of the world today. A leading Parisian springtime event for modern and contemporary art, this edition of the fair boasted an exceptionally rich and varied program. In addition to 170 exhibitors from 25 different countries, two new sectors located on the balconies overlooking the nave were big crowd-pullers. Promises brought together 25 young galleries, whereas the French Design Art Edition, co-produced with Le FRENCH DESIGN, featured 18 exhibitors (galleries, architectural firms, and design studios) in addition to a group show focusing on limited editions and contemporary decorative arts. Two themes ran though this record-breaking edition: Immortal: A Focus on Figurative Painting in France (curated by Amélie Adamo and Numa Hambursin) and Out of Bounds, placed in the capable hands of Simon Lamunière.
The fair also featured 26 solo shows, five exhibitions organized by private and institutional partners (Malala Andrialavidrazana by Art Absolument, Le chuchotement des mains by Camille Fournet Paris, Le Fonds d’art contemporain-Paris Collections, NEUMA, The Forgotten Ceremony by Villa Hegra, and Transcription(s) by Montresso*- Art Foundation), and a cycle of a dozen talks, not forgetting a monumental installation by Sophie Ryder presented by GOWEN Gallery. Guests invited by the participating galleries had the benefit of a VIP program that included 32 visits to exhibitions and cultural events across Paris. On Friday, April 4, there was a festive air in the Grand Palais as Art Paris premium partner BNP Paribas Banque Privée and Art Paris put on a special evening event accompanied by a series of performances by Poush. Numerous official visits also took place during the fair, including that of Brigitte Macron accompanied by the Queen of Denmark. The fair also welcomed 96 Friends of Museum groups (mostly European), which represented an increase of more than 20% compared to 2024.
This year, two prizes underlined the fair’s commitment to supporting artists: The BNP Paribas Banque Privée Prize. A focus on the French scene was awarded to Les filles du calvaire artist Thomas Lévy-Lasne, who received the sum of €40,000. The winner of this second edition of the prize was chosen from among 25 nominees selected from the artists participating in Immortal: A Focus on Figurative Painting in France, curated by writer and independent curator Amélie Adamo and Numa Hambursin, general director of MO.CO. (Montpellier Contemporain).
