For our 577th Art Gathering, we are visiting Art Basel.
The roots of Art Basel Paris lie in two distinct narratives that have shaped the fair’s current identity: on one hand, the Art Basel brand—which originated in Basel in 1970 and evolved into the world’s largest art fair—and on the other, the historic FIAC fair, held in Paris since 1974 and long a cornerstone of the city’s art calendar. These two legacies converged in 2022 with the debut of the Paris edition under the name "Paris+ par Art Basel." In 2024, following the restoration of the Grand Palais, the fair returned to its iconic venue and was rebranded as "Art Basel Paris."
This year—2026—marks the fair’s fifth edition, a milestone that also coincides with the appointment of its new director, Karim Crippa. Taking place at the Grand Palais from October 23 to 25, 2026, the fair will host 211 galleries from 41 countries. Among these, 32 are participating for the first time, and over 60 are based in France—a testament to the fair’s deep integration into the local art ecosystem. The lineup includes 183 galleries in the main "Galeries" sector, 16 solo presentations in "Emergence" (focused on emerging artists), and 12 projects in "Premise," a section dedicated to historical projects.
The cultural and economic impact of the fair extends far beyond that of a conventional art event. According to the Art Basel & UBS report, France is the world’s fourth-largest art market, with a sales volume of $4.5 billion, accounting for 8% of the global market. As a primary catalyst for this market, the fair also makes a tangible contribution to the cultural fabric of Paris: the 2025 edition welcomed over 73,000 visitors and representatives from more than 240 museums and foundations. Furthermore, through its Public Program—developed in collaboration with key city institutions such as the Petit Palais and the Palais d'Iéna—the fair extends art throughout the city, while innovative initiatives like "Oh La La!" encourage a rethinking of how galleries present their works.
In short, by inheriting the legacy of FIAC, Art Basel Paris has positioned the city at the heart of the global art scene. With 211 galleries, a significant economic impact, and a cultural program deeply integrated into the city, its fifth edition serves as a concrete manifestation of this ambition.
Wednesday, October 21
12:00–13:00
Address: 7 avenue Winston Churchill, 75008 Paris
https://maps.app.goo.gl/D9M7tFejFFLmiNTt5?g_st=ic