Cézanne and Us at the Grand Palais: Paris Celebrates the Legacy of a Master

From September 23, 2026 to January 17, 2027, the Grand Palais welcomes “Cézanne and Us”, an exceptional exhibition dedicated to Paul Cézanne and the profound influence he had on generations of artists who followed him.

In Paris, some exhibitions are more than cultural events: they are moments to look forward to. “Cézanne and Us” is certainly one of them.

Bringing together nearly 180 works, the exhibition creates a fascinating dialogue between Paul Cézanne and several generations of artists, from the late 19th century to the present day. It offers an opportunity to rediscover a painter who profoundly changed the way we look at art and the world around us.

Cézanne, the Painter Who Inspired Modern Art

Long considered a difficult artist to understand, Paul Cézanne now holds a central place in the history of modern art.

The Grand Palais exhibition tells the story of a painter who, without necessarily seeking to become a model for others, would ultimately inspire some of the most influential artists of the 20th century.

Artists such as Paul Gauguin, Henri Matisse, Pablo Picasso, Piet Mondrian, Joan Mitchell, Bridget Riley and Peter Doig each looked to Cézanne in their own way, engaging with his work and transforming elements of his artistic language.

This is what makes the exhibition particularly compelling. Rather than presenting Cézanne as an isolated figure, it explores how his vision continued to evolve through the work of other artists.

An Exhibition About Artistic Transmission

“Cézanne and Us” begins in the late 1880s, at a time when the painter, disappointed by the difficulties he had faced throughout his career, was exhibiting less and less.

His work was gradually discovered by a small circle of artists and collectors, notably in the Parisian shop of art dealer and colour merchant Julien Tanguy, known as “Père Tanguy”.

There, they encountered a radically different approach to painting, one that opened up new artistic possibilities.

This discovery would gradually transform Cézanne’s reputation and establish him as one of the great pioneers of modern art.

Throughout the exhibition, the works reveal a succession of influences, interpretations and artistic conversations. Cézanne becomes much more than a 19th-century painter: he becomes a starting point.

From Mont Sainte-Victoire to Modern Painting

Among the works featured in the exhibition is Mont Sainte-Victoire with a Large Pine, painted around 1887 and held by the Courtauld Institute of Art in London.

Mont Sainte-Victoire, a recurring subject in Cézanne’s work, offers a fascinating insight into his artistic approach: observing the world, breaking it down, and reconstructing it through colour, form and volume.

For Cézanne, a landscape was never simply a reproduction of what the eye sees. It became an experience and a construction.

It was precisely this freedom that would fascinate artists of the generations that followed.

A Must-See Exhibition at the Grand Palais

Presented in Galleries 3 and 4 of the Grand Palais, the exhibition is open from Tuesday to Sunday, from 10:00 am to 7:30 pm, with a late opening on Fridays until 10:00 pm. Advance booking is recommended.

Guided tours are also available, offering visitors the opportunity to explore Cézanne’s work and its legacy with specialist guides.

And because Paris is best experienced at a leisurely pace, why not make the most of a cultural day by wandering along the Champs-Élysées, crossing the Seine or strolling along the riverbanks before returning to the more intimate atmosphere of the Left Bank?

Discover Paris from Signature Saint Germain des Prés

Located at 5 rue Chomel, in the heart of Paris’s 7th arrondissement and just steps from Le Bon Marché, Signature Saint Germain is ideally placed for discovering the city’s artistic and cultural treasures.

This four-star hotel, with its 26 rooms, offers a warm and elegant atmosphere inspired by the feeling of a true Parisian home.

From Saint-Germain-des-Prés, Paris unfolds naturally, with museums, galleries, historic landmarks and cultural institutions all within easy reach.

The Grand Palais is just a short journey from Signature Saint Germain, making it easy to build a Parisian escape around art and culture: begin the day with breakfast at the hotel, head to the Grand Palais to discover Cézanne, then take your time exploring Paris, its streets and its hidden addresses before returning to the Left Bank.

Because staying in Paris is not simply about visiting the city. It is about taking the time to experience it.

Cézanne and Us: Practical Information

“Cézanne and Us” Exhibition
Grand Palais – Galleries 3 and 4
September 23, 2026 – January 17, 2027
Tuesday to Sunday, 10:00 am – 7:30 pm
Late opening on Fridays until 10:00 pm
Advance booking recommended

Signature Saint Germain des Prés
5 rue Chomel, 75007 Paris
Four-star hotel – Saint-Germain-des-Prés
26 rooms

For your next Parisian stay, our team at Signature Saint Germain will be delighted to help you discover the city’s cultural highlights, favourite addresses and lesser-known treasures.