The 5 best contemporary art galleries

This gallery, in the heart of Saint-Germain-des-Prés and in La Vieuville mansion, dates from the 17th century and is owned by the energetic Kamel Mennour. It exhibits work by emerging artists as well as prominent international painters, including Anish Kapoor, Lee Ufan and Daniel Buren, who have already had major exhibitions here. The other gallery space, which recently opened, is two blocks away.

This very trendy gallery has three spaces in Le Marais. Although it may feel intimidating to push the door and enter it is definitely worth the detour because here you can see the works of all the leading contemporary artists.

Another well-known gallery that represents internationally renowned artists such as Gilbert & George as well as young talent and a few designers. The exaggerated proportions of the gallery’s space make the exhibitions here very intense.

The Polka Galerie exhibits the work of French and international photographers, raising questions about the challenges related to contemporary photography. The gallery, which is situated in a lovely courtyard in Le Marais, also has a bookshop which specialises in photo books.

This leading American gallerist, who also has galleries in New York and London, represents several major contemporary artists including John Baldessari, Tony Cragg and Christian Boltanski and Annette Messager on the French art scene. The exhibitions in the gallery can be theoretical and sometimes even disconcerting.