Paris Photo will mark the bicentennial of photography during its 29th edition from November 12 to 15, 2026, transforming the Grand Palais into an international panoramic exhibition space, according to event organizers. Directed by Florence Bourgeois and artistic director Anna Planas, the world’s largest photography fair gathers more than 240 exhibitors to examine the history, evolution, and technical boundaries of the medium two centuries after Nicéphore Niépce produced Point de vue du Gras.
Historical Retrospective and the Theme of Disappearance
Kraus Jr., Bruno Tartarin, and Gilles Peyroulet, as reported by fair organizers. Building on this archival journey, the fair introduces a thematic focus on disappearance. Organizers note a contemporary paradox: photography was invented to preserve the trace of fading realities, yet the medium’s traditional forms face growing instability and digital transformation. These shifts will be explored across the specialized Voices and Digital sectors.
Centre Pompidou and Elles × Paris Photo Highlights
The Centre Pompidou joins the 2026 fair with a dedicated exhibition space featuring approximately 100 works organized around four thematic axes. According to the institution, these sections examine reproduction principles, the simulated possession of reality, and the role of portraits in identity construction and control. The presentation is directed by Damarice Amao and Florian Ebner, alongside Julie Jones, director of the Maison Européenne de la Photographie, showcasing historical and contemporary creators such as Robert Cumming, Sophie Thun, Kunié Sugiura, Timm Ulrichs, Dinh Q. Lê, and Eileen Quinlan.
Alongside the Pompidou presentation, the Elles × Paris Photo sector highlights the contributions of women artists, whose representation among exhibitors has grown from 20 percent in 2018 to 38 percent. Adélaïde Delgado curates this year’s program, titled “An Oceanic Beginning,” which focuses on the material conditions of image-making using the ocean as a conceptual horizon.
Prix Pictet and Featured Industry Awards
For the first time, the Prix Pictet takes a prominent position at Paris Photo following the Pictet group’s appointment as the fair’s official partner. The organization presents work by Disorder laureate Valérie Belin (2016) and Storm laureate Alfredo Jaar (2025). Belin’s still lifes—featuring plastic objects replacing fruit and flowers—and Jaar’s landscapes, including the depleted Great Salt Lake, examine ecological destruction through traditional genres originally dedicated to celebrating nature.
Additional accolades accompany the fair, including the second edition of the Prix Duo Olivier Bourdelas and Les Echos, which recognizes long-term collaborations between artists and galleries. Other awards include the Prix de la Maison Ruinart for emerging artists, the Prix Étudiants Paris Photo in collaboration with the Picto Foundation and SNCF Gares & Connexions, and the Paris Photo-Aperture Book Award.
Conversations and Educational Projects
The four-day event features public conversations with prominent figures in contemporary photography, including Thomas Ruff, Thomas Demand, Zanele Muholi, Tina Campt, and Arno Gisinger. Additional sessions focus on photographic documentation of conflict and its aftermath. The École cantonale d’art de Lausanne (ECAL) also leads a participatory educational project titled Soft Photography, prompting visitors to examine the integration of artificial intelligence within contemporary visual culture.
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