As the curtains fall on the inaugural edition of Art Basel Paris at the illustrious Grand Palais, it’s clear that this art fair has made a bold statement, securing its stature as a cultural beacon in Paris and beyond. Art Basel’s foray into the French capital feels like a historic chapter, bridging Paris’ storied past with the vibrancy of contemporary art today.
This year’s edition brought together an impressive roster—195 galleries representing 42 countries, including a strong local showing of 65 galleries based in France. The turnout was nothing short of spectacular, with over 65,000 visitors, including leading lights of the art world, seasoned collectors, and a swelling number of international patrons eager to experience the fair’s Parisian debut.
Perhaps what sets this edition apart is its celebration of global and local art ecosystems. Heavy hitters like Louise Bourgeois, Julie Mehretu, Willem de Kooning, and Louise Nevelson shared the stage with contemporary innovators like Camille Henrot, Mimosa Echard, and Lungiswa Gqunta. The sales success, spanning from 20th-century masters to cutting-edge voices, was palpable—proof that Paris continues to serve as a vibrant hub for art commerce, with the Grand Palais now anchoring this new chapter for Art Basel.
A highlight of the fair was Premise, a newly introduced sector devoted to bold curatorial projects, underscoring Art Basel’s ambition to carve out new intellectual spaces within the market-driven nature of such fairs. It was mirrored by Emergence, a sector dedicated to showcasing up-and-coming talent, positioning Art Basel Paris as a fertile ground for discovering new voices.
Beyond the confines of the Grand Palais, Art Basel’s public program extended its reach across ten iconic Parisian landmarks. The participation of high-fashion juggernaut Miu Miu as a partner deepened the fair’s intersection with the broader creative industries, echoing Paris’ unique ability to merge art, fashion, and culture into a seamless whole.
Notably, the art world’s institutional pillars were out in full force. Delegates from over 220 global museums and foundations, including MoMA, the Tate, and Centre Pompidou, mingled among the aisles, making the fair as much about institutional networking as it was about commercial sales. Even French President Emmanuel Macron, accompanied by First Lady Brigitte Macron, was in attendance, cementing Art Basel Paris’ cultural importance at the national level.
With its thoughtful programming, bold curatorial directions, and a global network of collectors and institutions, the 2024 edition has set a high bar for Art Basel Paris. Its second edition, slated for October 2025, promises even greater ambitions for this new Parisian art powerhouse.
