Every October, the Palais des Congrès de Paris fills with a sound that you simply cannot experience anywhere else. Speakers hum with carefully tuned bass. Projectors throw crisp images across darkened demo rooms. DJ booths pulse with light and rhythm. For four days, this corner of Paris becomes the beating heart of audio and visual culture in France.
This guide walks you through the schedule, the ticket options, and the reasons this event deserves a place on your calendar in 2026.
Quick Facts Before You Plan Your Visit
The 2026 edition runs from October 23 to 26 at the Palais des Congrès de Paris, located at Porte Maillot in the 17th arrondissement. The venue is one of the easiest major exhibition spaces in the city to reach, sitting directly above the Porte Maillot metro station on line 1.
This event traces its roots back to the original Festival Son & Image, and it has grown into the largest hi-fi, home cinema, and entertainment technology gathering in France. More than 300 brands and over 100 exhibitors typically take part, filling the venue with products ranging from high-end loudspeakers to DJ equipment and immersive lighting setups.
Therefore, no matter whether your interest lies in vinyl records, home theater projectors, or live performance technology, you will find a dedicated space built around it.
The Schedule: What Happens Each Day
Understanding the rhythm of the event helps you plan your visit more effectively. Exhibitor setup and access typically begins a day or two before the public opening, with exhibitor access running from October 24 to 25 between 10 a.m. and 7 p.m. The main public days open shortly after, giving visitors several full days to explore the show floor at their own pace.
Each day generally follows a similar structure. The doors open in the late morning, and listening rooms run live demonstrations throughout the afternoon and evening. Engineers and brand representatives schedule sessions at set times, so checking the daily program when you arrive helps you avoid missing the demonstrations that matter most to you.
Additionally, a separate day is traditionally set aside for industry professionals, retailers, and press. This professional day usually falls on the Monday following the main public weekend, giving the trade community space to conduct business without the general public crowds.
However, the exact daily schedule, including specific session times for talks and demonstrations, is published on the official event website closer to the show date. Checking this in advance is the smartest way to build a plan around the sessions you care about most.
Ticket Options and How to Buy Them
Pricing for this event has stayed reasonably accessible compared to similar shows elsewhere in Europe. Two-day tickets are generally priced around 10 euros at full rate, with a reduced rate of around 8 euros for students, jobseekers, and people with disabilities, provided they show valid proof at the entrance.
Buying online in advance is the better choice for most visitors. Presale tickets are usually less expensive than tickets purchased at the door, and securing yours ahead of time also means avoiding any line at the entrance on a busy weekend day. On-site tickets tend to cost more, with the reduced rate at the door typically higher than the presale reduced rate as well.
Tickets can usually be purchased through the official event website or through partner ticketing platforms listed there closer to the event date. It is worth bookmarking the site and checking back as the show approaches, since presale windows can open months in advance.
Top Reasons to Attend in 2026
You Get to Hear Before You Buy
Reading specifications online can only tell you so much. This event lets you sit in a properly calibrated room and listen to flagship speaker systems, amplifiers, and turntables exactly as their engineers intended. For anyone considering a significant audio purchase, that kind of hands-on listening experience is simply not available anywhere else in France.
World Premiere Product Launches
Major hi-fi and home cinema brands frequently choose this event as the stage for unveiling new products. Visitors often get to experience these launches before the products reach retail shelves anywhere else. If staying ahead of the latest audio technology matters to you, this is where the announcements happen first.
Direct Access to Engineers and Designers
Many demonstrations are hosted by the very engineers who built the equipment being showcased. This gives visitors a rare chance to ask detailed, technical questions and get answers straight from the source, rather than relying on a salesperson reading from a brochure.
A Growing Gaming and Immersive Technology Scene
In recent years, the event has expanded well beyond traditional hi-fi. Low-latency displays, advanced laser projectors, and spatial audio systems designed for gaming have become an increasingly visible part of the show floor. This reflects a broader convergence between home cinema, esports, and live entertainment technology. As a result, the event appeals to a much broader audience than it once did. It now attracts not only industry professionals but also technology enthusiasts and consumers.
Conferences That Go Beyond the Show Floor
Scheduled conferences and panel discussions bring together journalists, engineers, and industry leaders throughout the event. These sessions dig into topics shaping the future of audio and visual technology, from spatial sound formats to emerging display innovations. Attending even one or two of these talks can add real depth to your visit.
DJ, Lighting and Performance Technology on Full Display
For visitors interested in performance audio, dedicated zones showcase professional DJ equipment and stage lighting setups. Live demonstrations let you see and hear this gear in action, which is especially useful if you are considering an upgrade for your own setup or events.
What to Expect on the Show Floor
The product range at this event spans a wide spectrum of audio and visual technology. Categories include televisions, loudspeakers, amplifiers, projectors, turntables, headphones, portable audio players, streaming devices, and accessories of every kind. Exhibitor booths are organized so that visitors can move naturally between categories that interest them most.
Listening rooms remain the centerpiece of the experience. These spaces are acoustically treated and carefully calibrated, giving visitors a genuinely immersive way to compare different equipment tiers. Some rooms focus on classic hi-fi setups, while others lean into home cinema and surround sound demonstrations.
Additionally, the catalogue of exhibitors published on the official event website allows you to map out your visit before you arrive. Reviewing this list in advance and noting which brands you most want to see can save valuable time once you are inside the venue.
Getting There and Practical Travel Advice
The venue’s location above the Porte Maillot metro station makes the event one of the easiest major shows in Paris to reach without a car. Metro line 1 connects directly to the venue, and several RER and bus lines stop nearby as well.
If you are visiting from outside Paris, booking accommodation near Porte Maillot or anywhere along metro line 1 will cut down on travel time each day. The surrounding 17th arrondissement is quieter than the city center. It offers a welcome change of pace after a busy day. You can relax away from the sound and lights of the city.
Parking is available for those driving, but public transport remains the more practical choice given typical traffic conditions in Paris during a major event weekend.
Tips for a Smooth and Enjoyable Visit
A little preparation goes a long way at an event of this scale. The following tips reflect what experienced visitors consistently recommend.
- Buy your ticket online ahead of time to save money and skip any queue at the entrance.
- Arrive as early as possible on the day you visit, since listening rooms tend to be quieter and more comfortable in the morning hours.
- Wear comfortable shoes, since the venue is large and moving between zones involves plenty of walking.
- Bring earplugs if loud environments bother you, particularly near home cinema and DJ demonstration areas.
- Check the published schedule before you arrive, and plan your day around the specific demonstrations or talks you most want to attend.
- Take notes or photos of products you like, since with hundreds of exhibitors on site, details can easily blur together by the end of the day.
- Speak directly with engineers and brand representatives whenever possible. Their technical knowledge is one of the most valuable resources available at the event.
Conclusion
The 2026 edition of this celebrated Parisian audio and visual technology event runs from October 23 to 26 at the Palais des Congrès de Paris, bringing together more than 300 brands and over 100 exhibitors under one roof. Visitors can expect a packed schedule of live listening demonstrations throughout the event. World premiere product launches will showcase the latest innovations from leading audio brands. The show will also feature an expanding gaming and immersive technology presence alongside its traditional hi-fi roots. Tickets remain affordable, especially when purchased online in advance, and a dedicated professional day serves the trade community separately from general visitors. With a clear plan, you can make the most of your visit. Wear comfortable shoes to stay comfortable while exploring the event. Check the schedule before you arrive to enjoy one of Europe’s most rewarding technology experiences this autumn.
Frequently Asked Questions
When does the 2026 event take place, and where is it held?
The event runs from October 23 to 26, 2026, at the Palais des Congrès de Paris, located at Porte Maillot in the 17th arrondissement of Paris. The venue sits directly above the Porte Maillot metro station on line 1.
How much do tickets cost?
Two-day tickets are generally priced around 10 euros at full rate, with a reduced rate of about 8 euros for students, jobseekers, and people with disabilities. Buying online in advance through presale typically costs less than purchasing tickets at the entrance on the day.
Is there a day specifically for industry professionals?
Yes. A dedicated professional day is traditionally held on the Monday following the main public weekend. This day allows retailers, industry representatives, and press to conduct business without general visitor crowds.
What can visitors expect to see at the show?
Visitors will find televisions, loudspeakers, amplifiers, projectors, turntables, headphones, streaming devices, DJ equipment, and lighting technology. Calibrated listening rooms let visitors compare equipment directly, and an expanding gaming and immersive technology section now sits alongside the traditional hi-fi displays.
What is the best way to plan a first-time visit?
First-time visitors should buy tickets online in advance, check the published daily schedule before arriving, and plan their day around specific demonstrations or talks of interest. Arriving early, wearing comfortable shoes, and speaking directly with engineers at exhibitor booths are also commonly recommended by experienced attendees.
