Paris Internationale

In addition, the fair does not have an established location, often picking a 19th century building to set up shop.^[4] It has been held in places as diverse as dilapidated townhouses and a newspaper’s old parking lot.^[3]

In 2024, it took place at the Central Bergère, a former telephone exchange,^[5] in the 9th arrondissement and hosted 75 galleries from 19 countries.^[1]

As with the roving Basel Social Club during Art Basel in Switzerland, Paris Internationale’s shifting location means the fair has a different feel every year.^[3]

The fair launched in 2015. At the time, another art fair named Slick was the main alternative to FIAC, France’s now defunct international contemporary art fair. Slick ended in 2015, and Paris Internationale became the main venue for emerging galleries that were not yet established enough for FIAC. Since Art Basel ousted FIAC in 2022 from its calendar slot at the Grand Palais, Paris Internationale has been concurrent with what is now Art Basel Paris.^[3]

Unlike FIAC, Paris Internationale was still held in 2020 despite the COVID-19 pandemic.^[3]