Musée du quai Branly exhibitions in 2026
At a glance
- Kwame Akoto 31 March – 6 September 2026
- Plumes du paradis 12 May – 8 November 2026
- Le Mbari Club 2 July – 11 October 2026
- Included in the ticket Yes; a few shows need a free timed slot
- Anniversary 20 years; festival held 19–21 June 2026
- Where Mezzanines above the plateau, garden-level gallery
The permanent collection is the reason to come, but the temporary exhibitions are the reason to come back, and they are the part of the museum that changes most from one visit to the next. Dates below are from the museum’s own listing; exhibitions do shift, so confirm on quaibranly.fr before building a day around one.
Kwame Akoto: “Almighty God Art Works”
31 March to 6 September 2026. A show devoted to the Ghanaian painter who signs his work Almighty God. Contemporary, bright and text-heavy, it is a deliberate contrast to the older objects on the plateau below. It closes in early September, so this one is for summer visitors.
“Plumes du paradis”
12 May to 8 November 2026. The birds of paradise of New Guinea, and what people have made from and about them. It sits naturally beside the Oceania section, which is where I would go straight after. If you can only see one 2026 show, and you are visiting with children, make it this one.
“Le Mbari Club”
2 July to 11 October 2026. On the Mbari Club, a transnational creative space in Nigeria in which writers, artists and musicians crossed paths. It is an exhibition about ideas and people as much as objects, and it rewards reading, so allow a proper hour.
Earlier in the season
For context, the season opened with “Dragons” (18 November 2025 to 1 March 2026) and “Africa Fashion” (31 March to 12 July 2026), both now closed. If you read about either in a travel piece and are hoping to catch it, you have missed it.
The twentieth anniversary
The museum opened in June 2006 and marked twenty years with a festival from 19 to 21 June 2026. The anniversary programme continues in the evening events: “Jeudis déconnectés” on 10, 17 and 24 September, the Fête de la science on 4 October, the Soirée Premières Nations on 27 November and “Un Autre Noël” on 27 December. Normal opening hours apply around them. The history page tells the longer story of how the museum came to be.
Does the ticket include the exhibitions?
Yes. The one-day admission ticket covers the permanent collection and the temporary exhibitions. The catch is that some exhibitions require a free timed reservation, made separately, and this applies to everyone: ticket holders, Museum Pass holders and people who qualify for free entry. Reserve the slot once you know your date. Nothing is worse than climbing to the mezzanine to be turned back at the door.
Temporary exhibitions are lit brighter than the plateau and are the easiest part of the museum to enjoy when you are tired. Save one for the end of your visit rather than the beginning.
Frequently asked questions
What is the next exhibition at the quai Branly?
In late 2026 the shows on are “Plumes du paradis” (to 8 November) and “Le Mbari Club” (to 11 October); Kwame Akoto closes on 6 September. Dates change, so confirm on quaibranly.fr.
Do I need a separate ticket for the exhibitions?
No. The admission ticket covers the permanent collection and the temporary exhibitions. Some exhibitions need a free timed reservation on top, even for free-entry visitors.
Where are the exhibitions inside the museum?
On the mezzanines above the plateau des collections and in a gallery at garden level. The what to see page describes the layout.
How long do the exhibitions take?
About 45 minutes to an hour each, on top of the two to three hours the plateau needs. The how long to visit page has a half-day plan that fits one in.
Is the museum doing anything for its twentieth anniversary?
It held a festival on 19 to 21 June 2026 and continues with evening events through the autumn, listed on the opening hours page.