Edvard Munch, Le Cri (1893). Courtesy of Fondation Louis Vuitton © Munch Museum

This is this time of the year in France when everyone is getting ready for summer. Paris, in particular, will feel like an empty ship. Wandering around the historical buildings without the hustle and bustle of the commuters is like discovering a hidden treasure. One thing remains, though: the tourists. They’re like the Kardashians: You can’t avoid them. ‘Impossible n’est pas français’ (nothing is impossible) as they say, so, our art guide will give you the keys to enjoy the gems of the city in an unconventional way!

First, start your trip by exploring Art Saint-Germain-des-Prés, an art fair where galleries of the iconic and historic center for culture in Paris gather to display artworks representing the three main specialties of the neighborhood. Ending soon, discover the works of two Brazilian artists, Marcos Coelho Benjamin and Iuri Sarmento, at Galerie Agnès Monplaisir, as well as drawings and sculptures produced between 1950 and 1960 by David Smith at Galerie Karsten Greve, Paris.

Before Bastille Day, make sure to stop by Ma Galerie, whose exhibition “Intimate Spheres” explores the theme of intimacy through artworks by Tom Wesselmann, Niki de Saint Phalle, and Nobuyoshi Araki. Other established artists are also being highlighted during the month of July. Galerie Karsten Greve, Paris is displaying works by David Smith produced between 1950 and 1960. Showcased for the first time in Paris, iPad drawings by David Hockney are part of an exhibition at Galerie Lelong.

Let’s face it, it’s hard to get off the beaten track, so spend some time in the major cultural institutions in Paris. Old Masters lovers should not miss the Velázquez exhibition at the Grand Palais, while “Les Clefs d’une passion” will delight modern art fans at the Fondation Louis Vuitton.

“Greet autumn in New York” as Billie Holiday said, and don’t miss summer in Paris; you won’t regret it!

Exhibition: “Velázquez”

When: March 25–July 13, 2015

Where: Grand Palais, 3 avenue du Général Eisenhower, Paris, France

Diego Velázquez. Courtesy of the Grand Palais and the artist.

Exhibition: “Alberto Biasi”

When: March 27–June 27, 2015

Where: Galerie Tornabuoni, 16 avenue Matignon, Paris, France

Alberto Biasi, Dis Torsione gialla (1968). Courtesy of Galerie Tornabuoni.

Exhibition: “Les Clefs d’une passion”

When: April 1–July 6, 2015

Where: Fondation Louis Vuitton, 8 avenue du Mahatma Gandhi, Paris, France

Henri Matisse, La Danse (1909-1910). Courtesy of Fondation Louis Vuitton and The State Hermitage Museum, Saint Petersburg.

Exhibition: “Intimate Spheres / Sphères intimes”

When: April 22–July 10, 2015

Where: Ma Galerie, 7 rue du Louvre, Paris, France

Sam Francis, SF61- 1082 (Blue Ball) (1961). Courtesy of Ma Galerie.

Exhibition: “David Smith: Drawing and Sculpture: Acting in Space”

When: April 25–June 27, 2015

Where: Galerie Karsten Greve, Paris, 5 rue Debelleyme, Paris, France

David Smith, Sans titre (1953). Courtesy of Galerie Karsten Greve, Paris.

Exhibition: “Matt Devine”

When: May 13–June 30, 2015

Where: INCEPTION Gallery, 67 rue Saint Jacques, Paris, France

Matt Devine, Saddle Series 5. Courtesy of INCEPTION Gallery.

Exhibition: “De Minas à Bahia – Marcos Coelho Benjamin / Iuri Sarmento”

When: May 21–June 27, 2015

Where: Galerie Agnès Monplaisir, 8 bis rue Jacques Callot, Paris, France

Iuri Sarmento, Sans titre (2013). Courtesy of Galerie Agnès Monplaisir.

Exhibition: “Bernard Dufour : Peintures récentes”

When: May 21–June 30, 2015

Where: Galerie Patrice Trigano, 4 bis rue des Beaux-Arts, Paris, France

Bernard Dufour, C’est moi (2015). Courtesy of Galerie Patrice Trigano.

Exhibition: “Winshluss”

When: May 29–July 11, 2015

Where: Galerie Georges-Philippe & Nathalie Vallois, 36 rue de Seine, Paris, France

Winshluss, Dans ta gueule mon amour (2015). Courtesy of Galerie Georges-Philippe & Nathalie Vallois.

Exhibition: “Evi Keller – MATIERE-LUMIERE”

When: May 31–July 4, 2015

Where: Galerie Jeanne Bucher / Jaeger Bucher, 5-7 rue de Saintonge, Paris, France

Evi Keller, Installation ‘Matière-Lumière (1975). Courtesy of Galerie Jeanne-Bucher / Jaeger Bucher.

Exhibition: “David Hockney”

When: May 21–July 11, 2015

Where: Galerie Lelong – Paris, 13 rue de Téhéran, Paris, France

David Hockney, The Arrival of Spring in Woldgate, East Yorkshire in 2011 (twenty eleven) (2011). Courtesy of Galerie Lelong-Paris.

Exhibition: “Hayter : Un Génie du Trait – A Genius with Line”

When: June 5–June 27, 2015

Where: Galerie Artemper, 11 rue Boulard, Paris, France

Stanley William Hayter, Untitled (1943). Courtesy of Galerie Artemper.