Paris travel guide: November 2026, exhibitions, concerts and free outings

When traveling to Paris in November 2026, which exhibitions and concerts are worth scheduling? This Paris travel guide covers everything from Paris Photo at the Grand Palais to free concerts in libraries to help you plan your cultural itinerary this month.

As November begins, outdoor walks in Paris give way to museums, music scenes and indoor exhibitions. For tourists, this is a time suitable for slowing down the journey and viewing exhibitions in depth; for people living here, the city’s libraries, small theaters and art spaces also provide another weekend option to avoid popular attractions.

This month's cultural calendar isn't all about big paid exhibitions. Female musicians, young creators and experimental images are also worthy of attention. Some of the activities are free and open, but reservations are required.

Photography lovers, save November 12-15 for the Grand Palais

Paris Photo will take place at the Grand Palais in Paris from November 12th to 15th. This international art fair with photography and video as its core brings together galleries and publishing institutions to present historical photography, contemporary works and photography books in different forms.

It is different from a retrospective exhibition of a single photographer: visitors can compare works from different eras, regions and creative methods on the same trip. Even if you don’t have a collection plan, you can still think of it as an opportunity to focus on the art of photography.

The exhibition opens at 13:00 every day, closes at 20:00 from Thursday to Saturday, and closes at 19:00 on Sunday. Tickets must be inquired and purchased through official ticketing channels. It is recommended to confirm the date before arranging other itineraries for the day.

The Autumn Exhibition of the Orsay gives a new reason to visit

If you prefer to watch slowly around an artist, “Mary Cassatt: L’indépendante” at the Musée d’Orsay is an exhibition worth paying attention to this autumn and winter. The exhibition will last from October 6, 2026 to January 31, 2027, taking the centenary of Cassatt's death as an opportunity to re-examine her position in Impressionism and how she established an independent artistic identity.

Jenny Holzer’s “J’AI VU” in the same museum brings another way of viewing. Words, ideas and light installations enter the museum space, allowing the audience to engage with the works between reading and movement. The exhibition runs until February 21, 2027.

It should be noted that the exterior wall projections scheduled during the opening of the Holzer exhibition ended on October 22. When visiting in November, you should focus on the exhibitions in the museum.

Free concert, hidden in a Paris library

From November 5th to December 5th, the Monte le Son Music Festival will be held in several municipal libraries in Paris. With the theme of "Ô féminins", this year's edition will give the spotlight to female musicians, and the program will span different music genres.

The library serves as a performance space, making it easier for such activities to enter daily life: you don’t have to reserve time for a large-scale performance all night long, and you can also choose a scene of interest starting from the neighborhood where you live or visit.

The festival is free and open, but organizers recommend reservations. Each performance has a different location and time, so you should check the corresponding performance before departure, rather than just remembering the overall date of the festival.

Spend four days getting to know the new generation of creators in Paris

The Créart’UP Arts Festival will take place from November 9th to 12th and will feature theatre, dance, visual arts and music.

Activities are distributed in three venues: on November 9th, a theater and dance program is scheduled at the MPAA Saint-Germain; on November 10th and 11th, the Bastille Design Center will present exhibitions, installations and performances; on November 12th, La Bellevilloise will conclude the festival with live music.

For readers looking for fresh content outside of well-known museums, events like these provide opportunities to connect with young creators. The art festival is free, but reservations are required. Free admission cannot be understood as direct admission at any time.

A movie and music scene suitable for parents and children

At 19:00 on November 20, the L’Heure joyeuse library in the 5th arrondissement of Paris will hold the "Monte là-dessus" film music live event, allowing silent film images and live music to meet.

The event is open to audiences aged 6 and above and is free, but participation is by appointment only. Compared with ordinary film screenings, live accompaniment adds an extra layer of sound and performance experience to the viewing experience, and is also suitable as a relaxing attempt for families to get in touch with early films.

Paris’ cultural itinerary in November can be supported by a large-scale exhibition, or it can start with a free performance near home. What you really need to do in advance is to confirm the venue, reservation conditions and transportation, and leave time for the viewing itself.