The galleries in Paris’s historic district of St Germain des Prés count amongst Europe’s most influential in the fields of modern, contemporary, and tribal art, as well as decorative art and design.

Every year the association Art Saint-Germain-des-Prés collaborates with the district’s galleries to celebrate the neighborhood’s long-standing artistic pedigree.

This year, the 17th edition of Art Saint-Germain-des-Prés follows the theme of “Difference.” From May 28 – 31 the approximately 60 members of the association will each put on two major openings on Thursday and Sunday, which will continue throughout June.

Organizers hope that the event will attract international collectors to Paris; much in the way that Berlin’s Gallery Weekend revitalized the city’s art scene by encouraging collectors to visit Berlin and engage with the city (see Berlin’s Contradictions Start Making Sense at Gallery Weekend 2015).

Jean-Pierre Arnoux, president of Art Saint-Germain-des-Prés explained that the festival is characterized by “a balance between our three specialities: modern and contemporary art, design, and tribal art.”

He also added that visitors will enjoy additional insights into the famous quarter on the Left Bank, as galleries divulged their favorite spots and shared insider tips to visiting the neighborhood in a city-guide added to the catalogue.

Saint Germain des Prés became a haunt of intellectuals since the 17th century, with the Encyclopedists, and later, in post-war France, with the Existentialists.