The City of Paris is currently presenting a major outdoor exhibition of work by renowned photographer Jean-Claude Gautrand on the gates of the Hôtel de Ville. The show, which runs through January 25, 2026, features a carefully curated selection of images gathered during Gautrand's photographic walks throughout the capital since the early 1960s. This presentation offers a unique opportunity to witness the evolution of Paris through the lens of an artist who has dedicated his life to documenting the city's soul and transformation over more than six decades.
Gautrand's connection to Paris runs deeper than mere documentation or casual observation. The photographer has famously declared, "I am Parisian to the depths of my soul, Paris for me is Everything. Paris is really my home port." This profound attachment is evident in every frame, as his camera captures not just buildings and streets, but the very essence of Parisian life across generations. His work serves as both personal memoir and collective urban history, revealing the intimate relationship between an artist and his chosen subject.
The exhibition showcases the remarkable breadth of Gautrand's photographic practice, from candid street scenes to architectural studies and intimate glimpses of daily life. Beginning his systematic documentation in the 1960s, he has created an unparalleled visual archive that traces the city's physical changes while preserving its intangible spirit. His images reveal a Paris that is simultaneously eternal and ever-changing, where historic monuments stand alongside evolving neighborhoods and where tradition meets modernity in unexpected ways.
Viewers can expect to see how Gautrand's approach has captured pivotal moments in the city's recent history, including periods of modernization, social change, and preservation efforts. His photographic eye finds poetry in ordinary moments and grandeur in modest corners of the urban landscape. The exhibition's placement on the gates of City Hall itself creates a meaningful dialogue between the photographer's artistic vision and the official heart of municipal life, making art accessible to all citizens.
The cultural significance of this exhibition extends beyond mere retrospective celebration. In an era of rapid urban transformation and globalization, Gautrand's long-term documentation provides an invaluable record of Parisian identity and urban heritage. His work demonstrates how sustained artistic commitment can reveal the subtle rhythms and deep character of a city that remains one of the world's most photographed and beloved metropolises, yet continues to yield new perspectives.
The free outdoor exhibition at the Hôtel de Ville makes this important body of work accessible to all Parisians and visitors throughout the winter months. It stands as a testament to one photographer's lifelong love affair with his city while offering a rich visual narrative of Paris from the 1960s to the present day. The show represents a fitting tribute to both the artist and the city that has been his eternal muse, celebrating the power of photography to preserve memory and identity.
