6 fascinating exhibitions celebrating the human body in Paris
A cultural and artistic capital, Paris welcomes bold and visionary artists. Several current temporary exhibitions explore the human body from multiple perspectives. Discover six unique and immersive events dedicated to the human form.
1. Corps In•visibles: An Inquiry into Balzac’s Dressing Gown
With its new exhibition Corps In•visibles, the Musée Rodin invites visitors to delve into why Rodin chose to portray Balzac in a dressing gown, concealing the writer’s physique. The show raises questions about aesthetic norms of the time and our perceptions of the body, connecting to today’s themes of diversity and inclusion. Through paintings, sculptures, and photographs, it challenges and fascinates, examining identity, norms, and the silence surrounding human bodies.
Location: Musée Rodin – 77, rue de Varenne (7th arrondissement)
Dates: October 15, 2024 – March 2, 2025
2. Suzanne Valadon: Pioneer of Modern Art and Emancipated Muse
The Centre Pompidou celebrates Suzanne Valadon, a self-taught artist who defied the conventions of her time. With nearly 200 works on display, visitors will explore her vivid portraits, raw depictions of life, and unapologetic nudes. Her singular view of the world and her bold self-expression highlight the rare artistic freedom of a woman in early 20th-century France.
Location: Centre Pompidou – Place Georges Pompidou (4th arrondissement)
Dates: January 15 – May 26, 2025
3. Faisons corps: Art Examines the Link Between Body and Identity
The MAIF Social Club presents Faisons corps, a free exhibition exploring the intimate dimensions of the human body. Fourteen artists showcase installations, sculptures, and photographs that challenge societal norms and explore social, political, and personal themes. The body becomes a powerful space for expression.
Location: MAIF Social Club – 37, rue de Turenne (3rd arrondissement)
Dates: November 10, 2024 – March 15, 2025
4. Corps et âmes: Exploring the Soul and the Senses
Hosted at the Bourse de Commerce, this exhibition explores the duality between the spiritual and the physical. Featuring around twenty international artists from the Pinault Collection, including Deana Lawson and Ana Mendieta, Corps et âmes reflects on the body in various forms—film, painting, sculpture—blending poetics and politics.
Location: Bourse de Commerce – Pinault Collection, 2 rue de Viarmes (1st arrondissement)
Dates: March 5 – August 25, 2025
5. La Mode en mouvement: When Style Meets Motion
At Palais Galliera, La Mode en mouvement continues with a focus on winter sports. This edition explores the evolution of clothing and accessories that liberated bodily movement, from the 18th century to today. It’s a fascinating look at how fashion adapts to physical expression and activity.
Location: Palais Galliera – 14, avenue du Président Wilson (16th arrondissement)
Dates: February 8 – September 7, 2025
6. Touching You | Catch Midnight: The Sensory and the Invisible
This poetic exhibition at the Cité Internationale des Arts immerses visitors in a world where emotion and time intersect. Through visual and interactive works, it explores themes of touch, closeness, and distance, blurring the lines between reality and the intangible. Each installation invites an intimate sensory and emotional journey.
Location: Cité Internationale des Arts – 18, rue de l’Hôtel de Ville (4th arrondissement)
Dates: January 23 – March 1, 2025
These six immersive exhibitions offer diverse and enriching perspectives on the human body. For the full Parisian cultural experience, book your stay at Hotel B55, the ideal base for exploring the city’s artistic treasures.
