May 2026 Art and Culture Events Across France
In May 2026, France will host a variety of cultural and artistic events. The 20th Interstice festival in Caen, taking place from May 6 to 10, will showcase emerging talent with works by Lorène Plé, Lukas Persyn, and Jingqi Yuan. L'art est dans le pré will be held from May 9 to November 9 around Troyes, featuring contemporary art. From May 12 to 24, the Musée d'Orsay will present Orsay Live, including an installation by Adrien M and performances by Danielle Allouma and others. The Les Cœurs-Volants festival in Brétigny-sur-Orge on May 9 and 10 will highlight kite designs from ENSA Paris-La Villette students. Additionally, Nuit des musées occurs on May 23, while the 'Monuments en (pleine) forme' event will offer sports sessions at monuments on May 30 and 31. Photomobiles in Coutances is scheduled from May 5 to September 5, and the Terre de paroles festival will run from May 23 to 30. The Nouveau Printemps festival in Toulouse is set for May 27 to June 28, and the Imaginales festival in Épinal will take place from May 28 to 31.
Key facts
- Interstice festival in Caen runs May 6–10, 2026.
- L'art est dans le pré runs May 9–November 9, 2026 around Troyes.
- Orsay Live at Musée d'Orsay runs May 12–24, 2026.
- Les Cœurs-Volants festival in Brétigny-sur-Orge on May 9–10, 2026.
- Nuit des musées on May 23, 2026 nationwide.
- Monuments en (pleine) forme on May 30–31, 2026 at 34 monuments.
- Photomobiles exhibition in Coutances runs May 5–September 5, 2026.
- Terre de paroles festival in Seine-Maritime runs May 23–30, 2026.
- Nouveau Printemps in Toulouse runs May 27–June 28, 2026.
- Imaginales festival in Épinal runs May 28–31, 2026.
Entities
Artists
- Rossy de Palma
- Lorène Plé
- Lukas Persyn
- Jingqi Yuan
- Adrien M
- Danielle Allouma
- Babx
- Claire Bardainne
- Jann Gallois
- Victor Guerithault
- Paul Baudon
- Hervé Dez
- Hervé Le Tellier
- Antoine Sahler
- Sandrine Bonnaire
- Erik Truffaz
- Édouard Louis
- matali crasset
- Alain Guiraudie
- Kiddy Smile
- Dalila Dalléas Bouzar
- Nicolas Daubanes
- Ernesto Artillo
- Pilar Albarracín
- Gaël Aymon
- Morgane Caussarieu
- Claire Duvivier
Institutions
- Artothèque
- Frac Normandie
- Écuries – Pôle Culturel Lorge
- Musée d'Orsay
- École nationale supérieure d'architecture de Paris-La Villette
- Musée du quai Branly
- Musée Guimet
- Musée d'Art naïf Anatole-Jakovsky
- Centre des monuments nationaux
- Conciergerie
- Château de Pierrefonds
- Château de Champs-sur-Marne
- Musée Quesnel-Morinière
- Tulipe Mobile
- Abbaye Saint-Georges
- Nouveau Printemps
- Imaginales
Locations
- Caen
- France
- Troyes
- Assenay
- Verrières
- Montreuil-sur-Barse
- Paris
- Brétigny-sur-Orge
- Essonne
- Nice
- Coutances
- Seine-Maritime
- Fécamp
- Buchy
- Le Tréport
- Saint-Martin-de-Boscherville
- Toulouse
- Marengo
- Bonnefoy
- Jolimont
- Épinal