by Capucine Gougenheim Geagea
With the arrival of warmer weather, PAD Paris returns to the Tuileries
PAD Paris: A Taste of French Culture
Held in the Tuileries Garden, PAD Paris is a landmark event in the history of French decorative arts. Founded in 1998 by Patrick Perrin, it established design as a collectible discipline and elevated it to the same status as art. This position is self-evident today, but in its early days, it completely redefined the contours of the market.
77 galleries in this 28th edition
Seventy-seven galleries, both French and international, make up this edition. Here, each booth is designed as a statement: the choice of designers, the arrangement of pieces, the gallerist’s perspective, and the curation.
The PAD does not juxtapose; it composes, it writes. Like a couture atelier, it assembles forms, materials, and signatures to give birth to coherent, legible, and immediately identifiable ensembles, without forgetting the utility of the decorative object.
What particularly distinguishes this edition is an even clearer affirmation of the piece as an object of craftsmanship.
Design is no longer content to exist solely through its form or function; it demands a level of craftsmanship on par with that of haute couture. Whether working with wood, metal, textiles, or glass: every detail counts, every finish becomes a signature.
The craftsmanship is highlighted—precise, masterful, and confident.
In this way, the PAD reinforces its role as a platform for discovery. Alongside established galleries, newer organizations find an open welcome here and a genuine space for expression. This coexistence is no mere footnote: it contributes to a dynamic interpretation of design, where historic pieces and contemporary creations engage in dialogue without a rigid hierarchy.
Narrative Scenarios
Another notable development this year: a more assertive, almost narrative-driven exhibition design. The booths no longer simply display works; they construct entire worlds.
The eye is invited to linger.
With nearly 26,000 visitors, the PAD remains as much a meeting place as it is a marketplace. Collectors, architects, interior designers, and enthusiasts come together with a shared purpose: to understand what is happening in design today and what will set the standard tomorrow.
Based in Paris, the fair continues its international expansion—to London and soon to Saint-Tropez—without ever losing its center of gravity.
For here, in the heart of the Tuileries, a certain vision of design is on display: demanding, well-crafted, and rooted in expertise.
A lifestyle that is increasingly established and vibrant.
28th edition of PAD Paris
, April 8–12, 2026, in the Tuileries Gardens
