The Arab World Institute close to our hotels has a new exhibition which could well be one of the biggest of the summer (and autumn) – The Mystery of Cleopatra, exploring the myth of the last sovereign of Egypt, who has now become legendary through her portrayal in books, paintings and film.

Your idea of Cleopatra might be one of a cruel seductress, a keen military strategist, a clever politician or perhaps even a feminist, but how can we possibly have a real idea of her over 2,000 after her death (at the age of 39)?

The exhibition The Mystery of Cleopatra at the Arab World Institute tries to explore her legend and understand why she has always fascinated artists and continues to do so.

The presentation opens with what we know about her from archeological discoveries, and explains how she simultaneously helped her kingdom to prosper and secured a twenty-year period of peace.

Through paintings, sculptures, manuscripts, jewellery and photos lent by the Louvre, Château of Versailles, French National Library and other museums in Europe and the USA, you’ll be anble to see how Cleopatra inspired all kinds of different artists.

And even casting aside the myth that has built up around her (in part, no doubt, because of these works of art) you’ll understand just why the ‘Cleomania’ surrounding this extraordinary woman – the last pharaoh of Egypt – is probably well deserved.

Around the exhibition, in addition to the different guided visits and workshops, there are a numher of talks (in French): Cléopâtre, déesse, reine et femme d’Etat on 19th June, Cléopâtre, les femmes et le ‘sexe faible’ on 26th June, Cléopâtre : la légende, le mythe, l’icône on 3rd July and Cléopâtre et les reines d’Orient on 10th July.

A catalogue of the exhibition (240 pages, 29€) is also available here from your local Amazon.

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The Mystery of Cleopatra exhibition is at the Arab World Institute (here) until 11th January 2026

Open every day except Mondays from 10am-6pm (7pm weekends and public holidays) EXCEPT during July and August, when the exhibition is open every day except Mondays from 11am-7pm (8pm weekends), with late-night opening every Wednesday until 9.30pm

Admission: 15€ / 13€

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