Step into a world of creativity and cultural exchange at the Musée du quai Branly – Jacques Chirac, where this season's temporary exhibitions take centre stage.
Begin your visit with “Plumes du paradis” (12 May 2026 – 8 Nov 2026), which traces the journey of the birds of paradise, connecting natural history, art, and fashion across continents. Discover “Premières Nations – Arts et cultures du Nord-Ouest de l'Amérique” (29 Sep 2026 – 17 Jan 2027), a deep dive into the artistic and spiritual universe of the First Nations of the American Northwest Coast, featuring spectacular works where spirit animals, ancestors, and founding stories narrate the history and traditions of peoples whose cultural heritage remains very much alive. Alongside it, “Voir Tahiti – Premières photographies, 1859–1870” (29 Sep 2026 – 31 Jan 2027) presents a remarkable collection of photographs and their rarely exhibited negatives, offering a striking glimpse of Tahiti's landscapes and history — part of the official Bicentenaire de la Photographie programme. Later in the year, “Violence silencieuse – Sous le regard de Roméo Mivekannin” (10 Nov 2026 – 4 Apr 2027) confronts the legacy of colonial exhibitions through a powerful artistic lens, turning the gaze back on the visitor to question the history of ethnographic displays.
Looking ahead to 2027, the museum's programme continues with “Aïnous – Une voix du Japon” (26 Jan 2027 – 27 Jun 2027), the first exhibition by a French national museum dedicated to the Ainu people, an indigenous population of Northeast Asia, showcasing contemporary indigenous art that connects past and present across generations of artists and craftspeople. This is followed by “Rois et Reines d'Afrique – Formes et figures du pouvoir” (6 Apr 2027 – 11 Jul 2027), which spans ten centuries of history and twenty kingdoms to explore how art has expressed, embodied, and legitimised power in sub-Saharan Africa. Concurrently, “Préserver pour transmettre – Les coulisses de la conservation des collections” (6 Apr 2027 – 19 Mar 2028) lifts the curtain on the invisible work of conservation, exploring the crossroads of science, practice, ethics, and dialogue with communities of origin. Closing the year, “Miriam Makeba – Diva panafricaine” (1 Jun 2027 – 26 Sep 2027) pays tribute to the legendary singer and anti-apartheid activist, tracing her extraordinary journey as a global icon of music and political resistance in the 20th century.
Beyond these captivating exhibitions, your ticket grants you access to the museum's renowned permanent collection. Wander at your own pace through 3,500 works from Africa, Asia, Oceania, and the Americas, spanning from the Neolithic period to the 20th century. The museum's unique layout, inspired by a flowing river, guides you through themed spaces that illuminate the diversity and richness of non-European civilisations.
Before or after your visit, enjoy a panoramic view of the Eiffel Tower from the terrace of Restaurant Les Ombres. Please note that due to the fragility of certain items, displays may rotate frequently, ensuring there is always something new to discover.
