France's Premier Fair Fine Arts Paris for Art and Antiques Unveils First Details of its 5th Edition - Business Today Middle East
Grand Palais, 19 – 23 September 2026Where the GCC’s most discerning collectors meet the heart of French artistryA celebration of French taste and heritage, staged by the foremost decorators, from Charles Zana. . .
Grand Palais, 19 – 23 September 2026Where the GCC’s most discerning collectors meet the heart of French artistryA celebration of French taste and heritage, staged by the foremost decorators, from Charles Zana to François-Joseph GrafA first look into the future: Musée du Grand Siècle, set to open in 2028Project by Charles Zana for the forthcoming edition of Fine Arts Paris at the Grand Palais. © Charles Zana – Visualisation by Silver Shadow StudioFine Arts Paris(formerly FAB Paris) unveils the first details of its fifth edition, returning to theGrand Palaisfrom 19 to 23 September 2026. Opening Paris’ most anticipated autumn cultural season, this edition; the first under the presidency of Xavier Eeckhout, brings together 100 internationally renowned dealers spanning fine art, furniture, antiquities, and jewellery, offering GCC collectors and cultural institutions a definitive destination this fall. Charles Zana, renowned for his contemporary interpretation of French art de vivre, will transform the Grand Palais scenography for Fine Arts Paris 2026 into an “ephemeral city” of interconnected galleriesXavier Eeckhout, President of Fine Arts Parissays: “In today’s evolving art market landscape, fairs have become indispensable, enabling gallerists to strengthen their visibility, connect with new collectors, and benefit from the shared insights of their peers. We look forward to this new edition, which will further cement Fine Arts’ position as France’s flagship art and antiques fair and reaffirm Paris’s status as a major capital for art and culture. ”100 Internationally Renowned GalleriesFor GCC collectors with a discerning eye for provenance and rarity, this edition brings together an unrivalled concentration of specialist expertise, from Islamic art and Old Masters to Impressionist and Post-War works. Illustrious Parisian galleries who have shaped the reputation of the fair will return, among them the revered 18th-century French furniture specialistsSteinitzandLéage, Old Master authorityDidier Aaron, Islamic art expertKevorkian, and Japanese armour luminaryJean-Christophe Charbonnier. They will be joined by equally prestigious international dealers, including modern and contemporary art galleriesLandau Fine Art(Montreal),Rosenberg & Co. (New York), andThomas Gibson Fine Art(London), alongside German Old Master print expertRumbler(Frankfurt). Newcomers includeBailly Gallery(Geneva/Paris), dedicated to Impressionist, Modern and Post-War art and design; antique-silver specialistsd’Arschot & Cie(Brussels); andLarock-Granoff(Paris), founded in 1924 by pioneering dealer Katia Granoff, who was among the first to champion Monet’s Water Lilies and the work of Chagall; artists whose works have found passionate collectors across the GCC in recent decades. Sculpture takes centre stageThis year, sculpture – an entry category for many collectors – will take centre stage with a large group of dealers embodying the long and varied history of the discipline, from Antiquity to today. The Parisian galleryChenelwhich specialises in archaeological objects will take part for the first time, alongsideBrimo de Laroussilhe(Medieval and Renaissance sculpture),Trebosc & van Lelyveld(European Sculpture from the Renaissance to the early 20thcentury),Nicolas Bourriaud(19thand 20thcentury sculpture),Univers du Bronze(bronzes of the past two centuries),Schoeffel de Fabry(tribal arts) andXavier Eeckhout, the new president of the fair whose eponymous gallery specialises in animal sculpture. A new section championing new dealers and contemporary makersSince its inception in 2022, the fair has been committed to supporting new and emerging dealers as well as contemporary makers and designers. This year, that commitment expands with the introduction of a new section. New Horizonswill welcome ten dealers who are just starting their activity or who have never exhibited at an international fair, as well as contemporary makers across fields as varied as jewellery, ceramics and textiles. The Musée du Grand Siècle: A first glimpse into the museum’s collectionBuilding on its longstanding relationships with France’s most renowned museums and private institutions, Fine Arts Paris will host a special exhibition drawn from the collection of the futureMusée du Grand Siècle. Set to open in 2028 within the historic Domaine de Saint-Cloud, west of Paris, the institution will be the world’s first museum devoted entirely to the 17thcentury – an era of political power and artistic brilliance under Henri IV, Louis XIII and the Sun King Louis XIV, marking the height of French classicism. The future museum will be anchored by the exceptional collection donated by the eminent art historian, member of the Académie Française, and former director of the Louvre,Pierre Rosenberg. Bringing together paintings, sculptures, furniture, and both precious and everyday objects, the 40-work display at Fine Arts Paris will showcase the exceptional creativity of 17th-century France, while also shedding light on the many facets of this transformative period in the nation’s history. The booth will be designed by the celebrated architect, interior designer and art collector François-Joseph Graf, renowned for his timeless interiors, blending old-world elegance and sumptuous materials. Laurent de La Hyre, Allegory of Good Government, circa 1652, oil on canvas, © Musée du Grand SiècleThe Grand Palais, transformed by Charles ZanaAnother leading figure in French decoration will bring his creative vision to this edition. Following last year’s colourful scenography by Constance Guisset, Charles Zana has been invited to imagine a décor for the fair, engaging with the monumentality of the Grand Palais while ensuring the artworks remain the focal point. Known for interiors that reinterpret the Frenchart de vivrethrough a contemporary lens, Zana has conceived a design that evokes “an ephemeral city, composed of three villages linked by pathways and punctuated by squares. The idea is to offer visitors an almost urban experience, where works are discovered along the way, as if wandering through a neighbourhood. ”A new generation of EnsembliersAXA, through theAXA Foundation for Human Progress,will present a special display in partnership with two of France’s most venerable institutions, both born during the Grand Siècle: the prestigious Mobilier National, guardian of France’s national furniture collections, and the Manufacture de Sèvres, custodian of the world’s most renowned ceramic tradition; both names that carry significant weight among GCC collectors and institutions with a deep appreciation for the finest European decorative arts. Drawing on exquisite pieces from both institutions, the exhibition will be conceived by a new generation of ensembliers: the contemporary heirs to a centuries-old métier, capable of designing and producing every facet of an interior. Blending heritage, craftsmanship and innovation, the display reflects values that resonate strongly across the Gulf — where the preservation of cultural legacy and the nurturing of emerging creative talent have become cornerstones of national vision. AXA’s commitment to safeguarding cultural heritage, advancing museum conservation, and supporting cultural institutions mirrors the ambitions of the region’s own cultural renaissance. Design Luminaries Pick Their Must-See PiecesFor GCC tastemakers and collectors who follow the work of Europe’s most celebrated designers, this is a rare opportunity to experience the fair through the eyes of the masters themselves. Renowned French decorators and designers, including Jean-Charles de Castelbajac, Timothy Corrigan, Nathalie Crinière, Jacques Garcia, François-Joseph Graf, Constance Guisset, Jean-Michel Wilmotte, and Charles Zana, will each curate a selection of their favourite pieces from the works presented by exhibitors. Their chosen works will be clearly marked throughout the fair, allowing visitors to easily discover and explore the designers’ personal highlights.