Paris - Rome. Exhibition opening

We are pleased to announce the exhibition PARIS-ROME. CAPITALS MIRRORED IN THE PHOTOGRAPHS OF THE ALINARI ARCHIVES to celebrate the 70th anniversary of the twinning of the two cities, signed on January 30, 1956..

The exhibition is set up outdoors at the gates of the Hôtel de Ville de Paris, the Paris City Hall, along Rue de Rivoli, and is produced by the Italian Cultural Institute in Paris and Ville de Paris, with the patronage of the Italian Embassy in France.

Curated by Rita Scartoni, Fondazione Alinari.
Graphic design Giorgia Simioni.

The exhibition explores the connections between Paris and Rome, showcasing the elements that bind them together and the qualities that set them apart. A century of history is captured in forty-two photographs from the Alinari archives, revealing profound and surprising similarities that have contributed to a special bond.

The diptychs on display show the cities merging and standing out. Archaeological excavations, domes, triumphal arches, bridges and iconic monuments interact with each other, thanks to the vision of renowned Italian and French photographers. The interplay of geometries, atmospheres and landscapes creates a visual rhythm that conveys the historical and cultural richness of the two capitals. Significant historical episodes are also depicted, including the Paris Commune and the Capture of Rome, while the stunning autochromes of the early 20th century bring the atmospheric qualities of Atlantic Paris and Mediterranean Rome to life.

But people are also the protagonists: ordinary Parisians and Romans who crowd the markets and gardens of the two cities that become the setting for fashion shoots. In this game of mirrors, the worlds of cinema and literature could not be missing. These have always fuelled the imagination and the bond between the two cities.
The itinerary includes a tribute to the institutions that symbolize these cultural exchanges: the French Academy in Rome, Villa Médicis, and the Italian Cultural Institute in Paris at the Hôtel de Galliffet.

→ From January 26 to February 26, 2026, at the gates of the Hôtel de Ville - rue de Rivoli, Paris. Free admission.  

You can also view the exhibition on Bloomberg Connects, the free digital guide.

To access the web version →

To access from your mobile device, scan the QR code below →