PARIS FASHION WEEK: PRACTICAL INFORMATION

In Paris, fashion is not confined to the runway. It can be seen in the silhouettes spotted outside a fashion show, in shop windows, galleries and museums where creativity and heritage come together. To understand Paris Fashion Week, it is important to know its history, the rhythm of its collections and the rules governing access to its events.

This 2026 guide explores the origins of fashion shows, explains the official calendar, introduces the expected fashion houses and offers advice on experiencing Fashion Week from Saint-Germain-des-Prés.

 

 

 

 

HOW DID PARIS FASHION WEEK
begin ?

CHARLES FREDERICK WORTH

Fashion Week was not created in a single day. Its history is closely linked to the rise of Parisian haute couture in the 19th century. Charles Frederick Worth, who founded his fashion house on Rue de la Paix in 1858, is generally regarded as one of the pioneers of the modern fashion show: he presented his creations on live models so that his clients could select their preferred designs.

The Chambre Syndicale, which later became today’s Fédération de la Haute Couture et de la Mode, was established in 1868. In 1973, the organisations representing womenswear, menswear and haute couture were brought together within a single federation.

Paris consequently became the city where historic craftsmanship meets new generations of designers. From Chanel to Dior and Saint Laurent to Jean Paul Gaultier, the greatest names in fashion have transformed the runway show into a complete form of expression, combining clothing, music, set design and imagery.

Key information:

1858: Charles Frederick Worth establishes his fashion house in Paris.
1868: the Chambre Syndicale, which later became today’s Federation, is established.
1973: the organisations representing haute couture, womenswear and menswear are brought together.

The Left Bank also forms part of this history. In 1966, Yves Saint Laurent opened the first SAINT LAURENT rive gauche boutique at 21 Rue de Tournon, just a few minutes’ walk from Hôtel Bel Ami.

 

 

 

HOW DO COLLECTIONS
and seasons work ?

SPRING–SUMMER, AUTUMN–WINTER AND HAUTE COUTURE

Collections are unveiled several months before they arrive in boutiques. The presentations held in September generally showcase the following Spring–Summer collections, while those held in March focus on Autumn–Winter.

This time difference allows buyers, the media and production teams to prepare for the upcoming commercial season.

Three main calendars shape the Paris fashion year:

• Paris Fashion Week Menswear
• Paris Fashion Week Womenswear, dedicated to ready-to-wear
• Haute Couture Week, held in January and July.

In 2026, Paris Fashion Week Womenswear for the Spring–Summer 2027 collections takes place from Monday, 28 September to Tuesday, 6 October. The calendar, published several weeks before the event, remains provisional and may still be subject to change.

Ideal for: Fashion enthusiasts, industry professionals and travellers wishing to discover Paris during one of its most vibrant periods.

 

 

WHICH FASHION HOUSES ARE TAKING PART
in Paris Fashion Week 2026?

HISTORIC FASHION HOUSES AND THE CONTEMPORARY SCENE

The Spring–Summer 2027 calendar brings together French and international fashion houses with very different identities. The announced names include:

-Christian Dior
-Saint Laurent
-Courrèges
-Balmain
-Maison Margiela
-Balenciaga
-Schiaparelli
-Loewe
-Givenchy
-Hermès
-Miu Miu
-Chanel
-Louis Vuitton

More recent or lesser-known labels complete the programme, reinforcing the week’s role as both a creative laboratory and an international showcase.

 

Are the fashion shows open to the public?

Most in-person fashion shows are accessible by invitation only. Fashion houses primarily welcome members of the press, buyers, public figures, partners and selected clients.

However, many presentations can be watched via livestream. Fashion-show films are also published on the fashion houses’ platforms or on the Federation’s website. For each event, the official calendar indicates whether it is a runway show, a presentation or a digital format.

 

Practical details

• Check the Federation’s calendar before your stay
• Confirm the schedule on the day of each event
• Do not purchase alleged invitations from unofficial resellers
• Book your hotel, restaurants and transfers sufficiently far in advance
• Look for exhibitions, pop-up stores and parallel events that are open to the public

 

 

HOW TO EXPERIENCE FASHION WEEK
without an invitation ?

A FASHION ITINERARY FROM SAINT-GERMAIN-DES-PRÉS

 

From Hôtel Bel Ami, fashion can first be explored on foot. Rue de Tournon recalls the history of Saint Laurent, while Rue de Seine and Place de Fürstenberg extend the walk through the neighbourhood’s galleries and boutiques.

Le Bon Marché is approximately a 15-minute walk away. On the other side of the Seine, the Musée des Arts Décoratifs explores the connections between fashion, jewellery, design and graphic arts. From 30 September, it will also present the exhibition “Look! 40 Years of Fashion at the Museum” in autumn 2026.

For a break between appointments, the banks of the Seine, the Musée d’Orsay and the Jardin du Luxembourg offer cultural stops that are easily accessible from Saint-Germain-des-Prés.

Ideal for: Couples, trips with friends, a first visit to Paris or a cultural family day out.

Practical details:

• Rue de Tournon: approximately a 10-minute walk from the hotel.
• Place de Fürstenberg and Rue de Seine: approximately a 5- to 10-minute walk.
• Le Bon Marché: approximately a 15-minute walk.
• Musée d’Orsay: approximately a 20-minute walk.
• Musée des Arts Décoratifs: accessible on foot by crossing the Seine or by public transport.

 

 

WHERE TO STAY DURING
Paris Fashion Week 2026 ?

HÔTEL BEL AMI, A LEFT BANK ADDRESS

During Fashion Week, Saint-Germain-des-Prés offers the opportunity to remain in central Paris while returning to a more intimate atmosphere after presentations, appointments and evening events.

Hôtel Bel Ami is a five-star hotel located on Rue Saint-Benoît, just moments from the Church of Saint-Germain-des-Prés, the neighbourhood’s historic cafés and the galleries of Rue de Seine.

Its 102 rooms, suites and apartments suit several types of stay. Couples may choose the privacy of a room or suite. Apartments with kitchenettes are well suited to longer stays, while the Two-Bedroom Apartment can accommodate up to four guests, making it an appropriate option for families, groups of friends and certain business trips.

The spa, fitness area and Clefs d’Or concierge service complete the experience. The hotel’s teams can assist guests with arranging transport, cultural reservations and moments of relaxation between two busy days.

Choosing Hôtel Bel Ami during Fashion Week means experiencing the event from a neighbourhood where fashion remains closely connected to art, literature and Parisian life.

 

FAQ

What are the dates of Paris Fashion Week in 2026?

Paris Fashion Week Womenswear, dedicated to the Spring–Summer 2027 collections, takes place from 28 September to 6 October 2026. As the calendar is initially published on a provisional basis, visitors are advised to confirm the schedule before each event.

Can you attend the fashion shows without an invitation?

Official fashion shows are generally reserved for guests invited by the fashion houses. However, the public can watch many livestreams and attend selected parallel events, exhibitions and pop-up stores.

Is Hôtel Bel Ami suitable for couples?

Yes. Its central location, contemporary atmosphere, spa and proximity to the banks of the Seine, galleries and restaurants of Saint-Germain-des-Prés make it an ideal address for a stay for two.

Does the hotel offer accommodation for families or longer stays?

Hôtel Bel Ami offers rooms, suites and several apartments. Some feature a kitchenette, while the Two-Bedroom Apartment can accommodate up to four guests.