Traversées du Marais 2026: Free Art Festival Opens Paris Neighborhood
The Traversées du Marais festival returns to Paris from September 4-6, 2026, opening the Marais district's courtyards, gardens, and studios to the public for free. Twenty-seven institutions and several galleries present around forty proposals under the theme 'Dialogue(s)'. The festival opens with a dance battle in the garden of the Musée national Picasso-Paris, arbitrated by choreographer Marion Motin. Highlights include acrobatic performances by the Libertivore company at the Musée de la Chasse et de la Nature, olfactory installations by Lucas Huillet and Alexandre Helwani at the Maison de Victor Hugo, and a giant cabin constructed by visitors at the MAIF Social Club. The Institut suédois hosts an exhibition on Scandinavian taste and outdoor cinema screenings. The festival concludes with a choreographic piece by Jean Hostache from the Pont Louis-Philippe to the Musée Carnavalet, and open studios at Ircam. Other events include Joseph Walsh's wooden sculptures at the Hôtel de Sully, a living library at the Archives nationales with Fanny de Chaillé, and a carte blanche to the Montreux Jazz Artists Foundation at the Centre culturel suisse. The festival also features a family weekend at the Maison Pompidou and an exhibition of Aboriginal art by Konstantina at Arts d'Australie.
Key facts
- Traversées du Marais festival takes place September 4-6, 2026 in the Marais district of Paris.
- 27 institutions and several galleries participate with about 40 proposals under the theme 'Dialogue(s)'.
- All events are free and open to the public.
- Opening battle in the garden of the Musée national Picasso-Paris is arbitrated by Marion Motin.
- Libertivore company performs at the Musée de la Chasse et de la Nature.
- Olfactory installations by Lucas Huillet and Alexandre Helwani at the Maison de Victor Hugo.
- MAIF Social Club hosts a giant cabin built by visitors for its 10th anniversary.
- Institut suédois presents exhibition 'Tout est en ordre' and outdoor cinema screenings.
- Final day features a choreographic walk from Pont Louis-Philippe to Musée Carnavalet by Jean Hostache.
- Ircam opens its studios for sound walks and immersive audio experiences.
- Joseph Walsh exhibits at Hôtel de Sully as part of Paris Design Week.
- Fanny de Chaillé presents a living library at the Archives nationales.
- Centre culturel suisse gives carte blanche to Montreux Jazz Artists Foundation with concerts by Erik Truffaz, Sophie Hunger, Faber, Murcof, and Talvin Singh.
- Maison Pompidou offers family workshops and activities.
- Arts d'Australie gallery shows works by Konstantina, a Gadigal artist from the Eora nation.
Entities
Artists
- Marion Motin
- Lucas Huillet
- Alexandre Helwani
- Joseph Walsh
- Jean Hostache
- Stefania Pavan
- Islam Elarabi
- Fanny de Chaillé
- Jérôme Andrieu
- Roman Vargas
- Konstantina
- Erik Truffaz
- Sophie Hunger
- Faber
- Murcof
- Talvin Singh
- Nicole Walker
- Maria Eriksson-Hecht
- Ernst De Geer
Institutions
- Musée national Picasso-Paris
- Musée de la Chasse et de la Nature
- Maison de Victor Hugo
- MAIF Social Club
- Institut suédois
- Archives nationales
- Ircam
- Musée Carnavalet
- Hôtel de Sully
- Centre des monuments nationaux
- Paris Design Week
- Conservatoire Mozart
- Le Carreau du Temple
- Arts d'Australie • Stéphane Jacob
- Institut culturel du Mexique
- Centre culturel suisse
- Montreux Jazz Artists Foundation
- Maison Pompidou
- Centre Pompidou
- micadanses-Paris
- La Grosse Plateforme
- Corps public
- Les Paillettes
- Jeune Théâtre National
- Libertivore
Locations
- Paris
- France
- Marais
- Musée national Picasso-Paris
- Musée de la Chasse et de la Nature
- Maison de Victor Hugo
- MAIF Social Club
- Institut suédois
- Archives nationales
- Ircam
- Musée Carnavalet
- Hôtel de Sully
- Le Carreau du Temple
- Arts d'Australie
- Institut culturel du Mexique
- Centre culturel suisse
- Maison Pompidou
- Pont Louis-Philippe
- Watsons Bay
- Sydney
- Australia