Exhibition "Byblos, the thousand-year-old city of Lebanon" Institut du Monde Arabe, from March 24 to August 23, 2026

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Immerse yourself in Byblos, the thousand-year-old city of Lebanon, at the Institut du Monde Arabe. Discover more than 400 ancient treasures, from obelisks to royal jewels, retracing 9,000 years of history. An immersive experience exploring trade, the Phoenician alphabet, and the life of one of the oldest Mediterranean cities.

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€15

Exhibition

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More than 400 exceptional ancient treasures
9,000 years of history through Byblos
Cradle of the Phoenician alphabet
Major Mediterranean trading city
Rare objects: royal jewelry, obelisks, artifacts
Immersive and educational experience

Institut du Monde Arabe from March 24 to August 23, 2026

€15

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What to expect

Come and discover one of the most fascinating Mediterranean civilizations through the exhibition “Byblos, the thousand-year-old city of Lebanon”. This immersive experience transports you to the heart of a city that has been continuously inhabited for over 9,000 years, a true historical gem where trade, culture, and art have intersected since Antiquity. Through more than 400 exceptional artifacts, the exhibition tells the story of Byblos, a strategic port that connected Lebanon to Egypt, Mesopotamia, and the Aegean Mediterranean.

The exhibition invites you to explore a city that was the birthplace of the Phoenician alphabet, a major legacy for Western civilization as a whole. You will discover how this small coastal city became an essential trading hub, where sailors and merchants exchanged cedar wood, precious metals, and valuable objects. Visitors will have the opportunity to understand how Byblos contributed to the cultural and economic development of the region, and how its interactions with other great civilizations shaped history as we know it today.

Byblos, the thousand-year-old city of Lebanon – Dive into 9,000 years of history

A journey into the heart of archaeology and art

Each exhibited object tells a unique story. Imposing obelisks, delicate mosaics, royal gold and silver jewelry, axes, daggers, and bronze figurines—all these treasures have crossed millennia to offer you a glimpse into the daily life and power of the ancient inhabitants of Byblos. The royal and funerary remains, from the tombs of kings and nobles, illustrate the city’s wealth and its relations with the great dynasties of ancient Egypt.

Some pieces, such as an intact Middle Bronze Age necropolis, are presented for the first time, offering visitors a rare opportunity to admire unprecedented archaeological discoveries. The remains of the ancient port and the city’s defensive structures, such as the recently uncovered South Gate, help explain the strategic and maritime importance of Byblos, which was an active trading center for over two millennia.

Opening hours and visit organization

The exhibition is open every day, offering maximum flexibility for planning your visit. For those who wish to enrich their experience, guided tours are offered every Saturday and Sunday at 2:30 pm and 4:30 pm. These tours provide a deeper understanding of the history of Byblos and the fascinating details of each exhibited object.

For groups, schools, or associations, guided tours by reservation are available, with tailored support for both adults and younger visitors. Special sessions in French Sign Language (LSF) are also offered to make the experience accessible to everyone, while family-friendly tours help introduce younger audiences to history and archaeology in an engaging way.

Prices and ticketing

To make the exhibition accessible to all, adapted pricing has been implemented:

Full price: €15
Reduced price: €13
Ages 12–26: €7
Free for children under 12
Combined ticket Museum + exhibition: €20 for adults and €7 for young visitors

These prices allow everyone to fully enjoy this unique immersion into the history of Byblos, while making it easier for families and school groups to attend. Booking in advance is strongly recommended to secure your spot, avoid queues, and take advantage of guided tours.

Why not miss this exhibition?

This exhibition is not limited to displaying ancient objects: it brings the history of Byblos back to life, a place where trade, diplomacy, and culture were already intertwined thousands of years ago. Each room is designed to immerse visitors, combining authentic artifacts, modern scenography, and carefully designed lighting to recreate the atmosphere of the ancient city.

By visiting this exhibition, you will have the opportunity to:

Understand the impact of Byblos on Mediterranean history and the development of the alphabet.
Admire rare and precious objects never seen outside Lebanon.
Explore the commercial and diplomatic relations between Byblos and ancient Egypt.
Discover a city that witnessed human history for nearly 9,000 years.

The exhibition is also an enriching educational and cultural experience for young people, families, and history and art enthusiasts, offering keys to understanding the ancient world through tangible and fascinating objects.

Practical information

Location: Institut du Monde Arabe, Paris 5th arrondissement
Dates: March 24 to August 23, 2026
Recommended visit duration: 1.5 to 2 hours for a full experience
Guided tours: every Saturday and Sunday at 2:30 pm and 4:30 pm
Accessibility: adapted routes for families, young visitors, and deaf visitors with LSF

An experience to book now

Booking your ticket for “Byblos, the thousand-year-old city of Lebanon” guarantees a unique immersion into one of the world’s oldest cities, with the opportunity to discover exceptional archaeological treasures and understand the crucial role of Byblos in Mediterranean history. Do not miss the chance to explore the history, art, and culture of a millennia-old civilization, right in the heart of Paris.

Discover Byblos as a group!

Are you organizing an event for a group of more than 10 people?

Experience 9,000 years of history together, explore ancient treasures and rare objects, enjoy an immersive guided tour, and offer your participants a unique cultural experience. Book now and complete your form to secure your spot!

Feel free to contact us at +33 1 48 74 05 10 for any requests.

Common questions

What is the exhibition “Byblos, the thousand-year-old city of Lebanon”?

It is an immersive exhibition retracing 9,000 years of history of Byblos, one of the oldest Mediterranean cities, through more than 400 exceptional objects.