18th Biennale de Lyon Opens Alongside Major Art Events in Europe

The 18th edition of the Biennale de Lyon officially opened on September 19, 2026, and will continue until December 13. This year’s Biennale is curated by Catherine Nichols, an Australian-born curator based in Berlin. The program features contemporary art across various venues in Lyon. Among the works on display is Laure Prouvost’s installation, "Hovering Caress Amère" (2022–2026), presented at the Grandes Locos, contributing to the Biennale’s exploration of current artistic practices.

Elsewhere in Europe, the Louisiana Museum in Humlebæk, Denmark, launched a retrospective exhibition dedicated to the surrealist artist Remedios Varo on September 18, 2026. This exhibition is scheduled to travel to the Moderna Museet in Stockholm in 2027, allowing audiences in multiple countries to engage with Varo’s work.

In Florence, the Bardi Chapel in the Basilica of Santa Croce has reopened after a four-year restoration. The chapel contains Giotto’s early 14th-century frescoes depicting scenes from the life of St Francis of Assisi. The restoration was carried out by the Opificio delle Pietre Dure and art historians from the Opera di Santa Croce, reviving the frescoes’ appearance and making them accessible to the public once again.

These events highlight a period of activity in the European art world, with the Biennale de Lyon presenting new contemporary works, the Remedios Varo retrospective offering insight into surrealist art, and the restoration of Giotto’s frescoes reconnecting audiences with Renaissance heritage.

For visitors and art enthusiasts, these exhibitions provide opportunities to experience both contemporary creativity and historical masterpieces, reflecting the ongoing engagement with art across different periods and styles.