Festival of Art History

A unique festival in Europe dedicated to art history

Created in 2011 by the Ministry of Culture, the Festival of Art History is the only festival in the world entirely devoted to art history in all its dimensions. Every year, on the first weekend of June, the Château de Fontainebleau — a royal and imperial residence and UNESCO World Heritage site — opens its doors wide to host an exceptional event that brings together researchers, students, artists, heritage professionals, and the general public in a spirit of sharing and democratizing knowledge. The event is implemented by the National Institute of Art History (INHA) in partnership with the Château de Fontainebleau, attracting over 35,000 visitors each edition.

A theme and a guest country for each edition

Each edition of the festival revolves around a theme that runs through the entire program — from detail to fashion, from dreams to travel — and a guest country whose artistic richness is honored. This dual focus allows for exploring art history from new angles, by cross-referencing perspectives and disciplines. The 15th edition in 2026 celebrates the theme of Fashion and welcomes Morocco as the guest country, the first country from the African continent and the Arab world to be honored, offering an unprecedented opening to Islamic arts, traditional architecture, and contemporary Moroccan creation.

Over 300 free events in a royal setting

The program of the Festival of Art History is exceptionally rich: over 300 events unfold in the historic halls of the château, its gardens, and the cultural venues of the town of Fontainebleau. Conferences led by leading specialists, round tables, film screenings, concerts, unique guided tours of the château and its collections, temporary exhibitions, an art book fair bringing together a hundred publishers, creative workshops for children: the program is designed to appeal to all audiences, from experts to novices, from adults to the youngest. All events are free and open to all, in a spirit of cultural democratization.

A springboard for students and professionals

The festival is also a place for professional networking and training, with forums dedicated to careers in art history, heritage, and conservation. Art history students from all over France are invited to participate actively, with special sessions, competitions, and opportunities to meet key players in the art world. The festival also organizes a Current Affairs Forum that presents the latest discoveries and major restoration projects underway. This professional dimension, combined with its openness to the general public, makes the Festival of Art History a unique event on the French and European cultural scene.