Art Basel Paris 2026 Highlights Emily in Paris Star's Role

Art Basel Paris will open to the public from October 23 to 25, 2026, with 211 galleries exhibiting under the glass ceiling of the Grand Palais. The fair has revealed several highlights, including a guest art director role for actress Philippine Leroy-Beaulieu, known for playing Sylvie Grateau in Emily in Paris.

Leroy-Beaulieu will oversee the fair's annual Oh La La! Program. This whimsical initiative invites galleries to rehang their booths during the final weekend in response to a curated theme. This year's theme is "Myths and Legends," with presentations expected to explore metamorphosis, dreams, ritual, and the cosmos.

Fair Participation and Newcomers

The 2026 edition will feature 32 galleries participating for the first time. These include Isabella Ritter in Paris, Chertlüdde in Berlin, and Consonni Radziszewski, which operates in Lisbon, Milan, and Warsaw. A record 24 galleries have opted to share booth spaces this year.

Of the total participants, 64 galleries operate in France. Some, like Petrine and The Pill, have moved up to the main section from the Emergence category for emerging artists.

Expanded Public and Curatorial Programs

An expanded public art program will feature large-scale sculptures by Tracey Emin installed at the Trocadéro, depicting women in various stages of rest. The program includes works by numerous other artists, such as Kennedy Yanko, Kutluğ Ataman, and Yinka Shonibare.

The fair's Premise sector, dedicated to unusual curatorial displays, is expanding to include 12 galleries. Nine of these are newcomers. Separately, filmmaker Alice Diop will undertake this year's Miu Miu commission, as previously reported by ARTnews.

Talks and Market Context

For the first time, the fair's talks program will move into the Grand Palais auditorium. Scheduled conversations include one between curator Hans Ulrich Obrist and artist Simone Fattal, and another between Centre Pompidou president Laurent Le Bon and Louvre president Christophe Leribault on the future of their museums.

The City of Light maintains its position as Europe's leading art hub. According to the Art Basel & UBS Global Art Market Report 2026, France saw $4.5 billion in art sales in 2025, accounting for eight percent of the global market. Organizers state the Paris fair drew over 73,000 visitors and representatives from more than 240 museums last year.

Ultra-VIPs with a personal gallery invitation can access the fair on October 20 during the Avant-Première, a day before the standard VIP preview. This initiative aims to reduce Grand Palais traffic, though aisles were reportedly almost as busy as ever during its debut last year.