Mode, Cleopatra, Cézanne… This summer again, France and the world offer us a beautiful plurality of exhibitions to discover on vacation or after work. Selection of 7 presentations that succeed in making us travel to another universe.
The mysterious and magnetic Cleopatra
Until January 11, 2026, the Arab World Institute, in the 5th arrondissement of Paris, presents the exhibition “The Mystery of Cleopatra”. The course explores the myth of the queen of ancient Egypt, between historical reality and modern artistic representations. This icon of power and beauty is to (re)discover through paintings, archaeological objects, sculptures or even costumes. One can admire, for example, the works The Death of Cleopatra by Jean-André Rixens (1874), Cleopatra trying poisons… by Alexandre Cabanel (1883/1887) and the Egyptian currency of 50 piastres (2021).
The Haute Couture of Worth
Le Petit Palais celebrates the father of Haute Couture until September 7: Charles Frederick Worth (1825-1895), a British couturier considered as the inventor of this apotheosis of fashion. The exhibition “La Maison Worth: Inventing Haute Couture” returns to the highlights of the great textile with more than 400 pieces, including court dresses, wedding and prom pieces, accessories, perfumes and other designs and objects. From the Second Empire to Art Deco and the revolution of modern silhouettes, the presentation plunges us into the universe of an extraordinary stylistic empire.
The inflatable art at the Grand Palais
Here is an exhibition that can appeal to both young and old. “Euphoria: Art is in the Air”, unveiled at the Grand Palais until September 7, is an immersive exhibition of great magnitude. Indeed, the event highlights inflatable art. The result is massive installations signed by international artists such as Carsten Höller, Cyril Lancelin, Martin Creed or even Camille Walala. Playful, festive and surreal, the journey is ultra sensory. The visitor takes part in the works and immerses himself 100% in their universe. More than just an exhibition, “Euphoria: Art is in the Air” is a spectacular participatory experience.
Paul Cézanne is exhibiting
Presented at the Musée Granet in Aix-en-Provence until 12 October, ‘Cézanne au Jas de Bouffan’ is a return to the painter’s roots, whose 185th birthday was celebrated last year. The exhibition looks back at his family home (the Jas de Bouffan), his workshop in Les Lauves and the landscapes that nourished his art. The journey was made thanks to exceptional loans from New York, London, Tokyo or Prague, and the archives of his hometown Aix-en-Provence. Nearly 130 works including 90 paintings are exhibited, such as Baigneuses, Les Quatre Saisons and Still life with cherries and peaches.
Rethinking one’s relationship with the ocean
Head to the Villa Arson in Nice to discover “Becoming Ocean: a social conversation about the Ocean”. This exhibition (to be seen until August 24) brings together more than 20 international artists to address contemporary issues related to the ocean. Climate change, biodiversity, geopolitics, environmental justice… The presentation invites the audience to question themselves and rethink their relationship with the ocean. Committed and necessary, the event integrates documentaries, fictions, artistic works and even… poetry.
The story of the swimsuit is laid bare
Until August 17, the Design Museum of London dedicates an exhibition to the swimsuit. “Splash! A Century of Swimming and Style traces the history of this beach and pool silhouette, exploring its evolution through social, cultural, technological and environmental prisms. The course is divided into three categories, namely the pool, the lido and nature, and features the first bikini presented by Louis Réard in 1946, the red swimsuit worn by Pamela Anderson in Baywatch, the men’s swimsuits from the 1980s to today or even the LZR Racer jersey, nicknamed ‘technological doping’ and used during the 2008 Olympic Games.
A dive into the universe of Gianni Versace
At the Arches London Bridge in London, from July 16, 2025, until 2026, the largest retrospective ever organized in the United Kingdom on the fashion designer Gianni Versace, victim of a voluntary homicide in 1997. The work of the Italian designer will be to explore through more than 450 original pieces from 21 collections outstanding from summer 1988 to winter 1998. Will be presented emblematic pieces of her style and iconic outfits worn by Princess Diana, Kate Moss, Sir Elton John or even Naomi Campbell.
Read also : 7 beautiful books to browse this summer
Featured photo : © Grand Palais
