Photo : Nikos Aliagas
Great Ages
Aging is no longer just a biological inevitability but a captivating story captured through a photographic lens. Come explore a delicate intersection of science and humanity that redefines how we view the final chapters of our lives and their essential role in our history.
Musée de l'Homme (Paris 16th)
About
The Musée de l'Homme presents Les grands âges, an exhibition running from October 2, 2026, to January 3, 2027. This intersection of art and science examines aging as a biological, demographic, and social phenomenon through the lens of photographer Nikos Aliagas and the insights of researcher Samuel Pavard. Housed in the Foyer Germaine Tillion, the exhibition reflects on human longevity and the essential role of older generations throughout history. The venue is fully accessible to wheelchair users, ensuring a comfortable experience for all visitors in the 16th arrondissement as they explore these poignant visual and scientific narratives.
This exhibition, at the crossroads of art and science, aims to highlight old age as a biological, demographic, and social reality through a series of photographs.
Behind the lens, artist Nikos Aliagas captures everyday scenes and creates striking portraits. Some of his finest photographs, combined with the scientific insights of researcher Samuel Pavard, can be discovered in the Foyer Germaine Tillion (250 m²).
By crossing their perspectives—both clear-sighted and delicate—on the subject of great age, the exhibition invites visitors to reflect on our relationship with time, the place we accord to the elderly in our societies, and the bonds that different generations weave between themselves.
It compares human longevity with that of the rest of the living world and informs the public about the fundamental role played by the elderly in the history of our species for its cognitive, social, and cultural evolution.
As new age groups emerge today, illustrated by the growing proportion of centenarians and beyond, the exhibition questions the complex reality of life at an advanced age as well as new representations of aging in our contemporary societies.
Finally, by highlighting the link that exists between the issue of great age and that of the health of our planet, it reaffirms the legitimacy of our collective desire to live longer lives, despite a world struggling with brutal environmental changes.
Our take on this event
Inside the 250 m² space of the Foyer Germaine Tillion, Les grands âges blends the evocative photography of Nikos Aliagas with the scientific expertise of Samuel Pavard. The exhibition invites you to contemplate the evolution of human longevity and the shifting social status of the elderly in our modern world. By comparing human aging with other living species, the display highlights the critical influence of seniors on our cognitive and cultural development.
The narrative also touches upon contemporary issues such as the rise of centenarians and the impact of environmental changes on our collective desire for longer lives. The exhibition is open from 11:00 to 19:00, Monday to Sunday, excluding Tuesdays. Tickets are priced between 12 and 15 euros. The entire exhibition space is wheelchair accessible, providing an inclusive environment for all who wish to attend.
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