A must-see summer exhibition: Leandro Erlich at the Grand Palais in Paris

This summer, the reopened and refurbished Grand Palais is hosting the first major French retrospective of the Argentine artist Leandro Erlich. From 2 June to 6 September 2026, get ready to scale a Haussmann-style building horizontally, encounter flying boats and completely lose your bearings.

Photo : Amandine Goetz

Don’t believe everything you see. This is the important warning to bear in mind before stepping through the doors of Galleries 9 and 10 at the Grand Palais. As part of its ‘Grand Palais d’été’ programme, the Parisian institution has pulled out all the stops by inviting the undisputed master of optical illusion and contemporary trompe-l’œil: Leandro Erlich.

Conceived in collaboration with curator Fabrice Bousteau, this retrospective — the largest ever dedicated to the artist in Europe — brings together 14 monumental installations and more than 40 models and archival projects that trace his career from 1994 to the present day.

When the visitor becomes part of the artwork

Leandro Erlich’s strength lies not in hidden magic, but in shared illusion. Here, there are no hidden tricks: the mirrors are out in the open, the structures are visible, and it is precisely your presence and your movements that bring the artwork to life. You are no longer merely a spectator; you become the subject of the illusion.

Highlights of the itinerary:

‘Bâtiment’: This is the iconic installation that’s taking social media by storm. The façade of a Haussmann-style building is reproduced on the ground, topped by a huge mirror tilted at a 45° angle. When you lie down on it, it creates the illusion that you’re hanging in mid-air, climbing up to the windows or scaling the building with your bare hands. An experience that’s as fun as it is dizzying.

Photo : Amandine Goetz

Levitating boats: Boats appear to float in the air at head height, swaying gently without a single drop of water in sight.

Photo : Amandine Goetz

Weightless clouds: Cumulus clouds trapped inside glass display cases defy the laws of physics.

Photo : Amandine Goetz

The Floor of Secrets (1994–2026): On the upper floor, the exhibition takes on a more intimate tone. Here, visitors are given a glimpse behind the scenes through 41 reimagined works, scale models of his landmark urban installations (such as his famous ‘Swimming Pool’ project or ‘Le Cabinet du Psy’), as well as previously unseen or unrealised projects.

‘Reality and perception are inseparable for me. I find it interesting to see that most of what we call reality is in fact a social construct.’ — Leandro Erlich

Photo : Amandine Goetz

Why you shouldn’t miss it

Photo : Amandine Goetz

Beyond the highly ‘Instagrammable’ and entertaining nature of his installations, Erlich’s work raises genuine philosophical and poetic questions. By reimagining the objects and architectural features of our everyday lives (windows, staircases, lifts, façades), he challenges our assumptions and forces us to re-examine the way we inhabit the world and perceive our surroundings.

It’s the perfect family-friendly, immersive exhibition for the summer: children love having fun there, and contemporary art enthusiasts will find a brilliant exploration of space and illusion.

Practical Information: Plan your visitSome flagship attractions (such as Bâtiment) require physical participation and may involve a wait. We strongly advise you to book a time-stamped ticket in advance and to opt for morning slots or the Friday evening session.

 

Photo à la Une : Amandine Goetz