Belmondo, le Magnifique

The exhibition “Belmondo, le Magnifique” brings together personal archives, posters, costumes and photographs at the Cinémathèque française to trace Jean-Paul Belmondo’s career. Curated by Clémentine Deroudille, it sets the actor’s public persona alongside records of a life spent in front of the camera.

The exhibition explores a performing style that spanned several kinds of cinema. Having made his name in Breathless, Belmondo became part of the French New Wave before making his physical abilities central to his work in comedy, adventure and action films. From Jean-Luc Godard to Philippe de Broca and Henri Verneuil, this journey sheds light on the connections between his screen presence, the filmmakers he worked with and the very different characters he played. The archives and costumes offer a way to explore this range beyond his familiar image as a stunt-performing hero.

Practical information
- Open Monday and Wednesday to Friday, 12 noon–7 pm; Saturday and Sunday, 11 am–8 pm.
- During school holidays and on public holidays, open 11 am–8 pm, except Tuesdays.
- Closed Tuesdays and 25 December.
- Closes early at 6 pm on the second Thursday of each month, as well as on 20 and 25 November.
- Last admission 45 minutes before closing.