Toulouse-Lautrec et L’affiche spotlights the colorful dancers and cabarets publicized in 32 striking posters designed and hand-printed by one of the late 19th century’s most popular masters. A nostalgic overview of an artist’s vision of this exceptional period that includes over 100 preparatory drawings. To May 6, daily 11am to 6pm (closed Tue), Fondation Dina Vierny-Musée Maillol, 61 rue de Grenelle, 7e, M° Rue-du-Bac, 7E/5,5E, tel: 01 42 22 59 58

Muses, models and artists.“Elles de Montparnasse” pays tribute to the contribution Montparnasse women made to the arts during the early years of the 20th century. From the quarter’s legendary “Kiki” and Camille Claudel to Dora Maar, this thematic exhibition explores — through paintings, sculptures, photographs and documents — the vital role women played in Paris, at the heart of roaring ’20s art scene. April 11 to Sept, Le Musée du Montparnasse, 21 av du Maine, 15e, M° Montparnasse, tel: 01 42 22 91 96

Exit Festival packs as many contemporary multidisciplinary art forms from as many countries as possible into nine evenings. On the menu — interactive films, maze-like installations, dance performances, concerts, theater, opera, and even... a club with DJ! Visitors can attend individual events, or buy a pass for the entire fest for 38E. To Apr 6, 6pm to midnight (weekends from 4pm), Maison des Arts/Créteil, M° Créteil-Préfecture, reservations: 01 45 13 19 19

The photograph and the American dream, 1840-1940 Pictures from Stephen White’s prestigious collection, including such iconic photographers as Alfred Stieglitz and Berenice Abbott as well as poignant images of the nation’s early years taken by anonymous photographers. Organized thematically, the exhibition draws a portrait of a nation defining itself before the camera lens. To June 16, Patrimoine Photographique, Hôtel de Sully, 62 rue St-Antoine, 4e, M° St-Paul, tel: 01 42 74 47 75

Fabulous Gardens: Duchêne Style The visionary father and son team, Henri and Achille Duchêne, reinvented classic French landscape design in the 19th and 20th centuries. Appropriately presented in the Bois de Boulogne, this exhibit uses their drawings, personal photographs and project plans to explain the evolution of the Duchêne style. To June 24, daily 11:30am to 6pm (closed Tue), Trianon de Bagatelle, route de Sèvres, Neuilly/Bois de Boulogne, 16e, M° Pont de Neuilly, then bus n° 43, tel: 01 45 01 20 10, 5 E

Histoires de déserts rouges Contemporary aboriginal art. Paintings, totems and installations. To May 10, Australian Embassy, 4 rue Jean Rey, 15e/Tue-Fri 9:30am to 6:30pm, Galerie Commines, 17 rue des Commines, 3e, M° St-Sébastien-Froissart, tel: 01 42 77 53 26

Meliès, Magic and Cinema Although perhaps not as well known as the Lumière brothers, Georges Meliès was likewise a pioneer in French cinema. At the beginning of the 20th century, he was already producing special effects and optical illusions that prefigure those in Spielberg and Lucas’ films. Besides screenings of his work. This exhibition includes drawings, costumes, posters and other memorabilia. From Apr 26 to Sept 1, daily noon to 7pm (closed Mon), Espace EDF-Electra, 6 rue Récamier, 7e, M° Sèvres-Babylone, tel: 01 53 63 23 45, free

La Passion du Dessin covers five centuries of drawings by Bellini, Poussin, Rembrandt and Matisse — to name but a few. The exhibit opens just in time for the semaine du dessin, when the world’s art collectors descend on Paris’ drawing salons. To June 30, daily 10am to 6pm, Musée Jacquemart André, 158 bd Haussmann, 8e, M° Miromesnil, tel: 01 42 89 04 91

Afghanistan, Une histoire millénaire is an important show for everybody who was infuriated by the destruction at Bamiyan. Stunning pieces of pre-Islamic art are showcased, emphasizing the beauty and cultural diversity of Afghan art from ancient times to the modern Islamic period. Altogether 250 works, concentrating on Chinese lacquer, Greco-Roman bronze and glass from Alexandria. To May 27, Wed-Mon, 10am to 6pm, Musée Guimet, 6 pl d’Iéna, 16e, M° Iéna, tel: 01 56 52 53 00, 5,5E

L’Or Des Iles is a sneak preview of elaborate jewelry and ornaments from the yet to open Quai Branly museum. Over 250 stunning pieces from Indonesia, Malasia and the Philippines are featured in this exceptional show. Apr 11 to June 29, Tue-Sat, 10:30am to 6:30pm, Mona Bismarck Foundation, 34 av de New York, 16e, M° Alma-Marceau, tel: 01 47 23 38 88, free

Afrique Secrète shows ritual masks, sculptures and objects from the Dapper collection in a beautiful new installation. Also on view are striking contemporary sculptures by Ndary Lo. To July 21, daily 11am to 6pm, Musée Dapper, 35 rue Paul Valéry, 16e, M° Etoile, tel: 01 45 00 01 50, 5E

Amaranth Ehrenhalt — an American artist who works in every possible media — presents a one-woman show of her distinctive paintings, ceramics, engravings, sculpture and photography. A strong selection of her flowing abstract compositions is on display at ARTOLANT. To Apr 27, Tue-Sat 2-7pm, 24 rue Lemercier, 17e, tel: 01 44 90 91 46

Compiled by Sandra Kwock-Silve and Diana Lind