Event Details
Matisse at the Grand Palais Paris: the defining cultural event of spring 2026
From 24 March to 26 July 2026, the newly renovated Grand Palais in Paris hosts the most ambitious Henri Matisse retrospective ever presented in France. More than 300 works from the final thirteen years of the artist's life bring together paintings, drawings, cut-out gouaches, illustrated books, textiles and stained glass in a single unmissable journey. Co-produced by the Centre Pompidou and GrandPalaisRmn, this exhibition is the cultural highlight of the Parisian spring 2026.
Why this exhibition is exceptional
Between 1941 and 1954, Matisse entered what he described as his "second life." Following a serious operation that left him physically weakened, he reinvented his practice at nearly 80 years old. Unable to stand for long periods, he turned to cutting directly into colour with scissors, elevating cut-out gouache into an autonomous visual language. Monumental works such as La Tristesse du roi, Zulma, La Danseuse créole and the Nus bleus series are presented together in France for the first time.
The exhibition also features the legendary artist's book Jazz (1947) in its entirety, accompanied by an original electroacoustic soundscape by composer Claudia Jane Scroccaro, making the experience both visual and immersive.
Highlights
- The first Matisse retrospective of this scale ever held in France
- Over 300 works from 1941 to 1954 displayed across Galleries 3 and 4 of the Grand Palais
- Major international loans from MoMA New York, Metropolitan Museum of Art, Barnes Foundation, Beyeler Foundation and Hammer Museum Los Angeles
- Complete presentation of the artist's book Jazz with an original electroacoustic installation
- Monumental cut-out gouaches including La Tristesse du roi and the Nus bleus series
- Paintings, drawings, textiles, illustrated books and stained glass in one integrated tour
- Creative workshops for families and children aged 5 and above (weekends)
- Extended opening hours until 10:00 PM every evening during the final week, 21 to 25 July 2026
Opening Hours
The exhibition is open Tuesday to Sunday from 9:30 AM to 8:00 PM. Friday evenings feature a late-night opening until 10:30 PM. From 27 May 2026, Wednesday evenings are also extended until 10:00 PM. The exhibition is closed on Mondays. Last admission is 45 minutes before closing time.
Tickets & Prices
Tickets are available online via the official Grand Palais website. Online booking with a timed entry slot is strongly recommended, as the exhibition regularly sells out in advance.
- Standard ticket: €19
- Reduced rate: €16 (Abonnement holders, ages 18 to 25, students up to 30, large families)
- Open ticket (no fixed time slot): €24
- Free admission: Under 18s, jobseekers, visitors with disabilities and one companion, Pass GrandPalais holders
Getting There
The Grand Palais is located on Avenue du Général Eisenhower in the 8th arrondissement of Paris and is easily reached by public transport. Metro lines 1 and 9 stop at Franklin D. Roosevelt; lines 1 and 13 serve Champs-Élysées Clemenceau. Numerous bus lines (28, 42, 52, 63, 72, 73, 80, 83, 93) and Vélib bicycle stations are also available nearby.
Visitor Tips
- Book a timed entry ticket online in advance: the exhibition is in very high demand and frequently sells out.
- Allow at least 1.5 to 2 hours for the full visit.
- Friday late evenings until 10:30 PM offer a quieter, more intimate atmosphere.
- Combine your visit with a walk along the Champs-Élysées or a stop at the Petit Palais directly opposite.
- The exhibition is fully accessible for visitors with reduced mobility; wheelchairs and walking aids are available free of charge.
- Travelling to Paris? Book accommodation early, especially during the busy spring season.
