Art Basel Paris Opens Preview as Protests Disrupt Paris

Art Basel Paris opened its Avant-Première, an invitation-only preview for galleries and their principal clients, on October 20 ahead of the 2026 edition of the fair.

The preview is in its second edition, according to fair information. Art Basel The 2026 fair takes place at the Grand Palais, with Preview Days on October 21 and 22 followed by public days on October 23-25. Art Basel

More than 200 galleries are exhibiting in this year's edition. Art Basel This year's Art Basel Shop presents an exclusive capsule collection of artworks by Beauford Delaney. Art Basel

The opening comes as demonstrations have spread in cities across France. Rioting erupted during protests against rising living costs and declining public services in October, Reuters with later protests over teacher shortages, poor school conditions and rising living costs involving reports of fires and looting. Reuters

In Paris, the Louvre temporarily closed on Monday after about 50 protesting arts and culture students blocked its glass pyramid entrance. ARTnews