"Le Salon" is the nickname of the "Salon de Paris" exhibition administered by the "Societe des Artistes Francais" French artist society, and is the world's oldest and most authoritative exhibition open to public subscription. A "Salon" refers to a regularly held official exhibition of works from living artists, and was originated by one of the royal academies that were established as organs for artists in France at the time of the rule of Loius XIV, who monopolize administrative and educational power related to art. The etymology of the term comes from the fact that the first exhibition organized by academy members in 1667 was held in the "Salon Carre" room of the Palace of the Louvre.

From the 7th exhibit, various transitions even after the French Revolution led to several changes in way the exhibition was managed and, in 1881, the government withdrew official sponsorship from the annual Salon and a group of artists organized the private Societe des Artistes Francais to take responsibility for the show. Internal division rose within the Society in 1884 due to opposition against the extremely severe examination system, and the "Salon des Independants", which assumed a no examination system, was established that year by some of its members who formed the new "Societe des Artistes Independants".

The present Salon de Paris has its secretariat based in the Grand Palais museum located in the center of Paris, and its current composition is half-governmental, half-private. Basically held annually every spring, Le Salon has in recent years been held in autumn, and the 2005 version was held between October 26 and November 1at the Parc Floral de Paris. The 2006 exhibition is similarly scheduled for autumn though the specific period and venue are to be decided around February or March in 2006. Examination of works according to genre begins around the end of April each year, and the results are announced in the beginning of July. Professors and famous artists at art universities nominated by the government perform the roles of judges, and the strictness of the examination procedure has been consistent since the event's inauguration? up to the present time.

Application qualifications requires being selected for exhibit three times in order to become a member, yet that doesn't necessarily mean automatic membership. But being a member of Le Salon is clear evidence of recognition as a professional artist by the country of France.