In 2026, Le Salon d’Automne has chosen to refocus its mission on the artist, the creative process and artistic creation, building on the very foundations and identity that define it.
A major event on the Parisian art scene
Held on the Place de la Concorde, a stone’s throw from the Grand Palais where it was first held in 1903, Le Salon d’Automne has established itself as a highlight of the Parisian cultural season, bringing together artists, industry professionals and the general public each year to celebrate contemporary art.
Recognised by the Ministry of Culture and enjoying international renown with over 50 nationalities represented, the 2026 edition will feature an exhibition spanning over 4,000 m², bringing together more than 1,000 works across 19 sections, and will welcome nearly 35,000 visitors, confirming its status as an unmissable event in the world of contemporary art. The Salon also stands out for the active presence of the artists, who come to present their works, share their creative process and engage directly with the public, making every visit a vibrant and immersive experience. Over the years, it has thus cultivated a unique spirit: that of a great family of contemporary art, where audiences and artists of all sensibilities and backgrounds come together in an atmosphere that is both demanding and deeply human.
A unique model driven by artists
Since its inception, Le Salon d’Automne has championed a distinctive model: that of a Salon conceived by artists, for artists. A space for freedom and experimentation, it fosters encounters between disciplines, generations and sensibilities, through an open yet rigorous approach. It is thus, unquestionably, a champion of all the arts, without any hierarchical distinctions, renewing year after year its noble mission to provide artists with a premier platform by bringing together, each year, the most dynamic and promising works of contemporary art. The regular creation of new sections further demonstrates its commitment to representing all forms of artistic creation, without boundaries or preconceptions. Today, there are no fewer than 11 artistic sections: painting, sculpture, architecture, printmaking, drawing, photography, environmental art, digital art, artists’ books, unknown worlds, and myths & singularities. The painting section comprises nine groups: Abstraction, Naïve Art, Chromatics, Free Expression, Figuration, Heritage & Innovation, Imaginary Worlds, Synthesis and Variations.
Higher artistic standards
The 2026 edition has chosen to put the artist, the creative process and the artwork back at the centre. Building on the success of the 2025 edition, which was held for the first time on the Place de la Concorde under highly acclaimed exhibition conditions, Le Salon d’Automne is raising its artistic standards by paying particular attention to the hanging and spatial arrangement of each work. This meticulous curatorial approach, designed to showcase the works, also helps to reveal the full richness of contemporary art, highlighting the variety of artistic approaches and the diversity of artistic styles.
"The 2025 edition of the Salon d’Automne, held on the Place de la Concorde, was a resounding success, and we are very grateful to everyone who took part and contributed to this great achievement.
It is in this spirit that we are energetically preparing for the next edition. Over six days, high-quality works will be on display, representing the diversity and richness of contemporary artistic creation. For artists, it is also a place to meet, share ideas and present their work to the art market.
I hope you are as enthusiastic and determined to take part in this major event on the art scene as we are to create a fair that lives up to its prestige and is responsive to the artists’ needs,” Jean-Christophe Lévêque, President of Le Salon d’Automne.
