FRA9 FILE · Business & work
French trade shows: 2026–2027 calendar and planning guide
Confirmed dates, trade access, budget, visa, stand and customs planning for the next events.
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key points: 8–19 septembre · 2–15 novembre · Paris et Cannes · MIPIM 2027
The next confirmed dates
As of 5 September 2026, useful forthcoming dates include Cannes Yachting Festival on 8–13 September, Paris Design Week on 10–19 September, EquipHotel in Paris on 2–5 November and Paris Photo at the Grand Palais on 12–15 November. MIPIM has already announced its next Cannes edition for 16–19 March 2027. A published date does not mean every day, zone or conference admits the same audience, so always check the organiser’s current programme and ticket conditions.
Choose by objective, not sector alone
A trade visitor may need suppliers and conferences; a buyer schedules appointments; an exhibitor compares position, footfall and total cost; an investor filters companies and decision-makers; a consumer wants demonstrations and genuine public access. Before registering, define three outcomes, the people to meet and the priority time slots. A large general show can deliver less value than a specialist event when the relevant decision-maker, product category or working language is absent.
Paris, Lyon and Cannes work differently
Paris venues include Porte de Versailles, Villepinte, Le Bourget, the Grand Palais and other sites, so an event labelled Paris is not necessarily in central Paris. Lyon uses Eurexpo for major industry, health and hospitality events. Cannes concentrates international markets at the Palais des Festivals and around its ports. Calculate airport or station transfers, final transport, security time and hall-to-hall walking from the exact address rather than the city name.
Trade badge, invitation or public ticket
Entry may require professional status, an invitation code, documentary proof, media accreditation, a timed slot or a public ticket. Conferences, receptions, demonstrations and meeting areas can require a second reservation even when the main badge is valid. Confirm the organiser, visitor category, minimum age, bag rules, cancellation terms and mobile or printed-ticket requirement before travel. Do not buy a named badge through an unauthorised marketplace or assume that an exhibitor invitation opens every programme element.
Budget the complete visit
The real cost combines registration, conference options, travel, accommodation, transfers, meals, cloakroom, insurance, mobile data and working time. Early pricing and hotel allocations reward planning, but a non-refundable rate can cost more than a flexible booking if the programme changes. Group meetings by hall, leave realistic buffers and keep an offline venue map. For a multi-day visit, separate prospecting, conference learning and commercial follow-up instead of trying to do everything continuously.
Exhibit with the contract, stand and customs aligned
Before signing, ask whether space is bare or fitted and itemise mandatory services, power, internet, handling, storage, badges, cleaning, insurance, build-up, breakdown and penalties. Decide who is responsible for temporarily importing samples or equipment; the pro-forma invoice, origin, value, carrier and customs procedure must agree. Temporary admission or an ATA Carnet still requires an eligibility, deadline and re-export check with French Customs and the competent issuing body.
Travel from abroad for a French show
A badge, invitation or hotel booking never replaces entry authorisation. A non-European visitor should use the France-Visas assistant according to nationality, country of residence, duration and business purpose; an organiser may issue a supporting document but cannot guarantee a visa. Prepare passport, insurance, transport, accommodation, professional evidence and required funds early. Exhibitors carrying goods must handle personal immigration and customs formalities as two separate workstreams.
Turn attendance into a measurable result
Qualify contacts and obtain agreement for meetings before opening day. During the event, record the need, owner, indicative budget, timing and next action instead of merely collecting badge scans. Back up and prioritise contacts each evening, then send a specific follow-up within a few days with the promised material. Respect consent, purpose and retention limits for personal data. Measure meetings held, qualified opportunities and completed next steps rather than raw scan volume.
Frequently asked questions
Is a trade show open to the public?
Not necessarily. Check visitor category, admission days, required evidence and any public tickets on the organiser’s website.
Does a show invitation guarantee a French visa?
No. It may support an application, but France-Visas identifies the procedure and the competent authority makes the decision.
When should travel and accommodation be booked?
Once the dates, exact venue and cancellation terms are confirmed; retain flexibility while the programme or visa remains uncertain.
Must an exhibitor declare samples?
It depends on the goods, value, use and customs procedure. Check temporary admission or an ATA Carnet with Customs and the competent issuer.
Which date should be trusted when websites conflict?
Use the organiser’s page for the relevant edition and verify the venue, year, trade-only days and final admission time.
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