All the Highlights From Art Basel Paris 2026
From Miu Miu’s creative programs to 24-hour techno takeovers.
Every October, the art world descends on the City of Light for Art Basel Paris, but beyond the Grand Palais, where the fair takes place, the French capital comes alive with a host of exhibitions, pop-ups, installations and parties. Whether you managed to get inside the giant greenhouse-like structure or were exploring the city’s creative corners, there was plenty to see beyond the main event.
This year, however, the celebrations were cut short, with the fair closing two days early amid ongoing protests in the city. Still, from immersive dining experiences to late-night club culture and fashion’s creative heavyweights taking over iconic Parisian spaces, the week proved that art doesn’t exist in a vacuum. From Miu Miu’s thought-provoking exhibition to Dover Street Market’s first-ever Open House, here are the highlights from a jam-packed, albeit shortened, Art Week in Paris.
Miu Miu and Alice Diop
Returning as Art Basel Paris’ public program official partner for the third year, Miu Miu invited French filmmaker Alice Diop to present Geste de Consolation, a multidisciplinary exhibition exploring the power of Black women’s creativity and representation. Taking place at the Palais d’Iéna, the project brought together film, sculpture, poetry, dance and music to explore Black women’s representation and creativity. Highlights included live readings, a library of influential texts and Simone Leigh’s monumental bronze sculpture “Sentinel (Mami Wata).” Extending Diop’s vision beyond the screen, the exhibition offered an immersive journey through remembrance, resistance and creative expression.
Dover Street Market Open House
Dover Street Market Paris hosted its first-ever Open House during Art Basel, inviting its creative community to take over the space for an evening of exhibitions, installations, signings, performances and exclusive products. The event kicked off a week of programs celebrating the intersection of fashion, art and culture. Some of the happenings included a book launch and signing with IDEA for Marc Quinn’s latest publication “Kate By Marc” (as seen above), and a sculpture by Gina Fischli and BOVARY, the first fragrance from Peer Parfum, created by Fischli and master perfumer Antoine Lie, with each of the 500 refillable bottles hand-painted and scratched.
Silencio Nightclub Takeover
One of the city’s most renowned nightclubs, Silencio, is a go-to spot when it comes to the art and fashion crowd. Designed by David Lynch and hosting major fashion week parties, it’s no surprise the location has a stacked lineup for art week. Taking over its club spaces for five days, Silencio hosted screenings, talks, performances and DJ sets, alongside an exhibition of Kayode Ojo’s nightlife photographs presented with Sweetwater Gallery. Every evening ran from the screen to the stage to the dance floor, a perfect night out if you ask us. One particular favorite was the after-party for the upcoming A24 movie Club Kid.
Dinner Inside a Piece of Art
Artist and designer Harry Nuriev transformed Le Meurice’s Le Dalí restaurant into “The Stage,” an immersive installation running from October 20 to 25. Centered around the dining table, the experience brings art and gastronomy together through six exclusive dinners for just 24 guests, featuring a ten-course menu by chefs Alain Ducasse and Amaury Bouhours inspired by Nuriev’s artistic vision. Outside of the intimate dinner series, visitors can also experience the installation during breakfast, lunch and afternoon tea throughout the week.
Art Meets Techno
Over the weekend, electronic music pioneer Richie Hawtin and contemporary artist John Gerrard join forces for a 24-hour program at FVTVR, running from noon on Saturday to noon the following day. Part of Reference Festival, the event brings together Gerrard’s digital installations, a conversation between the pair and an overnight line-up curated by Hawtin, blending experimental sound and moving imagery. The event invites audiences to experience the intersection of contemporary art and club culture long after dark.
