Art Paris has established itself as the event for discovery in the European art world, balancing a deep commitment to the local French scene with a vibrant, cosmopolitan outlook.
For the 2026 edition (April 9–12), Art Paris returned to its historic home in the Grand Palais, reclaiming its place beneath the iconic glass nave following the building's extensive renovation.
The two major themes of this year’s Art Paris revolve around Babel, curated by Loïc Le Gall and Reparation, curated by Alexia Fabre. The themes draw attention to current social and cultural rhetoric.
Simultaneously to Art Paris, the 28th edition of PAD Paris was held in Jardin des Tuileries. This year, designs heavily leaned into the 1970s revival. The combination of these events has given us a very good idea of what to expect from the next design fairs coming up in 2026, including PAD Saint-Tropez and London.
Established in 1997 by Patrick Perrin, PAD Paris (Pavillon des Arts et du Design) remains dedicated to the dialogue between historical and contemporary design. Over the years, the fair has evolved from a boutique Parisian gathering into a globally renowned benchmark for designers and collectors.
Of course, you don’t just go to Art Paris for the artwork, you go for the whole experience. Returning for another partnership, Roche Bobois designed the VIP lounge located on the Balcony of Honor.
With a view overlooking the newly renovated Grand Palais, the lounge offered an immersive, high-end experience, featuring signature designs and key pieces from their new collection.
The premier French furniture retailer is known for its French Art de Vivre style, a celebration of the art of living well. They have previously collaborated with multiple artists such as Jean Paul Gaultier, Missoni, and Christian Lacroix.
Roche Bobois’ scenography included their iconic pieces, such as their Bubble Sofa, designed by Sacha Lakic, known for its organic, padded shape created with a unique, three-directional stretch fabric, undeniably recognisable even within the magnificent setting of the Grand Palais.
Hot off the press from Milan Design week, Roche Bobois also showcased their collaboration with Pedro Almodóvar. The collection focuses on vibrant colours and designs that take inspiration from Almodóvar’s cinematic universe and combine them with existing designs. Including the Lounge sofa and Bubble sofa, both in new hues, highlights the shared bold aesthetic between the artist and the brand.
Roche Bobois’ lounge embodied the role as a bridge between modern art and interior design, encompassing the ethos of Art Paris itself. It’s safe to say that Paris was the place to be for both designers and collectors last week. If you missed it, here’s a round up of some of the highlights from Art Paris.
Jean Dubuffet, L'Algèbre de l'Hourloupe (1968)
As part of Loïc Le Gall’s curation of the theme Babel, Dubuffet’s work engages the discourse of the shaping of artistic practice as a result of viewing language as a system of signs and symbols.
L'Algèbre de l'Hourloupe is a 52 card set of playing cards that features Dubuffet’s graphic composition of interlocking, puzzle-like shapes. Created between 1962 and 1974, this design marks a notable departure from Dubuffet’s earlier work, with the shapes evoking an expression of an inner monologue.
Jean Dubuffet’s Hourloupe alphabet was positioned alongside other works that span across generations. The dialogue between these pieces, and conceptual dimensions of language, consciously explored the artists’ engagement with linguistic expression.
Juliette Agnel, La main de l’enfant (2023)
Another piece that took our attention within Le Gall’s selection was Agnel’s La main de l’enfant. Fuelled by an interest in anthropology and archaeology, Agnel’s photography features site-specific projects such as prehistoric caves and celestial shots.
Agnel’s photography is an exploration of nature that captures telluric and primary forces. Rather than explicitly displaying visible text, Agnel’s work uses symbolism to evoke the connection between the origins of language and art.
Le Gall’s inclusion of Agnel within the curation set a precedent that the theme of Babel is deeper than the visual representation of signs and recognisable symbols and considers the conceptual dimensions of language in art.
Sarfo Emmanuel Annor, Paralleled Paths (2024)
Annor was featured by The Bridge Gallery, as part of The Promises of Tomorrow, a selection of young galleries under 10 years old.
This section of the fair falls under Alexia Fabre’s curation of the theme Reparation, which challenges the ideas of the singularity of repair and considers it instead as a long-term process of care and resistance. The theme incorporates artwork from artists who approach historical trauma alongside identity, memory, and healing.
Annor is a portrait artist, whose work presents a cross-cultural dialogue of African culture to a global audience, using his colour palette that reflects the soul of his subjects.
Notably, Annor began by using his smartphone to capture contemporary African identity. In 2022, he was on i-D Magazine’s list of hottest creatives, and it’s not hard to understand why. Annor’s work is not just colourful, his use of symbolism within the portraits adds narrative and depth to his subjects.
Whether through the lens of prehistoric caves or the comfort of a VIP lounge, this year’s edition of Art Paris proved that art and design are not merely objects to be viewed, but languages to be spoken, offering a profound look at how we communicate and inhabit the world today.
Image credits: Foundation Beyeler, Art Paris, Juliette Agnel, Roche Bobois
