« Francis Kurkdjian has opened up perfume to new forms and destinations, taking it out of the bottle. »
Jérome Neutres, Exhibition Curator
From October 29 to November 23, 2025, the Palais de Tokyo will host an exceptional retrospective exhibition celebrating the creative and artistic approach of Francis Kurkdjian.
With Marc Chaya, President and co-founder of Maison Francis Kurkdjian in 2009, he has explored ways of expressing perfume beyond the traditions of perfumery or commercial constraints. True sculptures of the invisible, his perfumes are works of art in their own right, whose material is breathed.
The smell of money
For Sophie Calle
1999
Sparks of roses
Olfactory installation
2024
Expanded Drops
Experimental photography
Christelle Boulé
2019
Through a multi-sensory journey, the exhibition reveals numerous heritage works, olfactory installations, and perfumed objects, revisited or invented by Francis Kurkdjian in dialogue with creators from all disciplines, such as artist Sophie Calle, theater director Cyril Teste, photographer Christelle Boulé, and conductor and cellist Klaus Mäkelä.
New works will be unveiled for the first time on this occasion, including L'Alchimie des sens, an immersive installation designed around the now-iconic Baccarat Rouge 540 perfume.
In addition to the exhibition, a program of exceptional conferences and masterclasses invites reflection on perfume as an artistic medium in its own right and to rethink its role in how we feel, see, and understand art and the world.
Practical Information
Free admission upon reservation.
Ticket sales open on October 16, 2025.
Opening hours:
- 12 PM - 10 PM: Monday, Wednesday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday.
- 12 PM - 12 AM: Thursday.
- Tuesday: Closed to the public.
