Two-day Paris trade show and congress for boiler-making, pressure equipment, piping and welding, with about 100 exhibitors serving chemical, nuclear and oil and gas buyers.
Dates
28–29 Mar 2028
City / country
Paris, France
Venue
Paris Expo Porte de Versailles
Time
8:30 AM – 6:00 PM
Are you the organiser of this event?
Companies exhibiting at FCTM ESOPE 2028 include ADAMUS METALFORMING, ATC AULAGNER, AUXECAP, Baker Hughes and BIEBER INDUSTRIE.
Event overview
FCTM ESOPE 2028 is the French meeting point for boiler-making, pressure equipment, piping and welding. For two days in late March, Paris Expo Porte de Versailles becomes a working show floor where fabricators, vessel and heat-exchanger makers, piping contractors and welding specialists meet the engineering and procurement teams of the chemical, petrochemical, nuclear and oil and gas industries.
Around 100 exhibitors take stands alongside a paid ESOPE symposium of technical papers, workshops and equipment demonstrations. Visitors come to compare fabrication capacity, qualify suppliers and follow standards, materials and inspection developments.
TL;DR
You can walk the whole floor in two days and meet fabricators, welders, NDT providers and material suppliers who actually hold the qualifications your projects require. The co-located ESOPE symposium adds technical papers on design codes, materials and in-service inspection that are hard to gather elsewhere in France.
The audience is small but concentrated: decision-makers from chemical, petrochemical, nuclear and oil and gas operators and their engineering contractors. A stand puts you in front of buyers who specify pressure equipment and fabrication services, and the symposium gives technical visibility with the same accounts.
Attendees, exhibitors & solutions
Visitor profile
Typical attendee groups you can expect to meet.
Exhibitor profile
Main supplier and exhibitor segments present at the show.
Product categories
Key solution areas showcased across the event.
Location & Facilities
Halls & areas
11 Place de la Porte de Versailles, 75015 Paris, France
Entrances & gates
Place de la Porte de Versailles entrance
Closest to metro line 12 and tram stops.
Paid underground car parks P5-P7 serve the exhibition halls; pre-book on the venue site during show week.
Halls are step-free; ask at the badge desk for the lift route to upper levels.
Staffed cloakroom near the main entrance, typically a few euros per item.
Food options
Hall food court and sit-down restaurant
On-site diningParking: On-site car parks at Porte de Versailles (P5, P6, P7) are paid and fill early on show mornings; the metro and tram are easier.
Gate: Main visitor access is from Place de la Porte de Versailles; allow 15 minutes for badge check at peak opening.
Attend
Event days & opening times
Salon FCTM exhibition visitor badge
Free badge; online registration opens soon according to the organiser.
ESOPE symposium delegate
Paid congress pass, separate from the free show floor; 2028 tariff not published.
Ticket info
Badge collection
Print or download the badge before travelling; on-site desks ask for an ID and company name.
Ticket notes
The exhibition is free for trade visitors. The technical symposium is ticketed and priced separately; rates are announced with the conference programme.
What's on
ESOPE symposium
Technical congress on pressure equipment co-located with the FCTM exhibition.
Same venue, ticketed separately.
WebsiteHow the last edition performed
Last edition
2025
Visitors: 2,000
Exhibitors: 100
This edition
2028
Visitors: 2,000
Exhibitors: 100
Next edition
Not announced yet
Impact
Two days is short, but the floor is dense: nearly every stand is a fabricator, equipment maker or inspection provider rather than a distributor. For a buyer with live pressure-equipment packages, a single visit can replace several supplier qualification trips.
Audience quality
The audience is narrow and senior: mechanical and pressure-equipment engineers, works directors, procurement and QA/QC leads from operators and EPC contractors. Expect technical conversations, not broad marketing traffic.
Exhibitor outcomes
Lead volume is modest compared with a large industrial fair, but intent is high. Exhibitors with nuclear or hydrogen references report the strongest interest; success depends on booking meetings before the show rather than counting badge scans.
Intelligence
Key market insights, trends, news and related events to help you understand the bigger picture.
Why it matters
France's nuclear fleet life-extension, hydrogen and carbon-capture projects and refinery maintenance all depend on qualified pressure-equipment fabricators. FCTM ESOPE is where engineering offices and operator procurement teams meet those fabricators in one place, so it works as a compact supplier-qualification trip rather than a broad industrial fair.
Key trends shaping this market and its wider industry.
Nuclear life extension drives qualified fabrication capacity
French operators are preparing long-duration operation of the existing fleet, which keeps demand high for code-qualified vessels, exchangers and piping modifications.
What it changes: Fabricators with nuclear qualification are scarce and are a core reason buyers attend.
Hydrogen and carbon capture add new material and welding requirements
Projects in hydrogen and CO2 handling push fabricators towards thicker walls, cladding and tighter weld acceptance criteria.
What it changes: Material and welding competence is now a shortlisting criterion, not a commodity.
Digital weld traceability and in-service monitoring
Operators increasingly ask for digital weld records and sensor-based in-service monitoring on pressure systems.
What it changes: Shows the software and inspection side of the supply chain alongside heavy fabrication.
A small circuit a pressure-equipment buyer can plan around the Paris dates.
Circuit dates are editorial knowledge, not fetched for this run.
Plan your trip
Choose from the following airports, with convenient access to the event and venue.
Paris Charles de Gaulle
RER B to Denfert-Rochereau then metro line 6/12.
35 km
to venue
45-70 min
by car
Paris Orly
Orlyval to Antony then RER B; or tram T7 plus metro.
17 km
to venue
25-40 min
by car
A range of accommodation options near the venue and across key areas.
USD 110–160 / night
Book 3-4 months out; show week lifts rates 20-30%.
USD 180–260 / night
Walkable to the halls, best value for a two-day visit.
USD 320–480 / night
Quiet rooms and meeting space; 10-20 minutes by metro.
Get around the city with these convenient transport options.
Metro / tram
Cheapest option from central Paris; 25-35 minutes.
Taxi / ride-hail
Fixed airport taxi fares apply from CDG and Orly.
Plan your trip
Check the latest visa requirements and entry guidelines before travelling.
| Type | Who needs it | Fee | Processing | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Schengen short-stay business visa | Visitors from countries without a Schengen visa waiver | $100.00 | 15-45 days |
EU/EEA, UK, US, Canadian and many Asian passport holders do not need a visa for short business visits.
ATA carnet is normally accepted for display equipment; confirm with the organiser before shipping.
Official visa pageWeather
Late March in Paris is mild and changeable: 6-14 C, frequent showers and a cool wind on the exhibition forecourt.
Plan for the climate
Check temperatures and pack accordingly
Venue connectivity
Venue wifi is free but throttled; a local eSIM or EU roaming plan is more reliable for badge scanning.
Ride-hailing
Taxis
Public transit
Car rentals
Useful information to help you have a smooth and respectful visit.
Greetings
Shake hands on arrival and use Monsieur or Madame until invited otherwise; French is appreciated even as a greeting.
Meeting rhythm
Appointments start on time and end on time; confirm a 30-minute slot rather than dropping by a stand unannounced.
Practical guides
Everything needed to arrive prepared, navigate the event, and make the visit productive.
Destination: CDG
Book 6-10 weeks ahead; late March is shoulder season, so fares are moderate but hotel rates rise during show week.
Schengen short-stay rules apply. Many Western passports enter visa-free for business; others need a type C visa.
Estimated cost: EUR 90 consular fee plus service charges
Processing: 15-45 days
Carry the organiser invitation and hotel booking at the border.
OfficialGet to the venue and around the city with these options.
Airport → venue: RER B from CDG to Denfert-Rochereau, then metro 6 to Pasteur and line 12; about 60 minutes and EUR 11.80. From Orly, Orlyval plus RER B, about 45 minutes.
Hotel → venue: Metro line 12 to Porte de Versailles for hotels in the 15e and Montparnasse; 10-20 minutes.
Ride-hail: Uber and Bolt operate; expect EUR 20-35 from central Paris in the morning peak.
Public transit: Single metro ticket EUR 2.15; a Navigo Easy card or contactless bank card works on all lines.
Parking: Paid venue car parks P5-P7, around EUR 25-35 per day during the show.
Plan and pack for the event climate.
Month: March
Temperature: 6-14 C
Seasonality: Showers on roughly one day in three; wind on the open forecourt.
Packing: Light coat, umbrella and comfortable shoes for concrete floors.
Plan your trip
Best day to visit: Day one, 28 March 2028
The floor is fully staffed and senior engineers usually attend the opening day; day two thins out after lunch.
Register for the free badge and book travel — Registration opens soon on the organiser site; set a reminder.
Shortlist exhibitors and request meetings — Build a list of 10-12 fabricators and inspection firms with live packages.
Prepare technical questions and drawings — Bring isometrics, material specs and tolerance requirements.
Print badge, check metro route and hotel — Line 12 to Porte de Versailles; allow 45 minutes from central Paris.
Confirm appointments and pack — Reconfirm each meeting by email with a time and stand number.
Badge collection and coffee
Main entrance, Place de la Porte de VersaillesSupplier meetings with vessel and exchanger fabricators
Exhibition hallLunch and informal catch-up with an inspection body
Hall food courtESOPE symposium session on welding and materials
Congress roomSecond pass on piping and NDT stands
Exhibition hallParis 15e and the Seine banks
City Walk
20 minutes by metro
Evening walk from Porte de Versailles to the Seine and Beaugrenelle.
Versailles
Half-Day Excursion
35 minutes by RER C
Add a day either side of the show for a short break.
Hall food court
Informal
Busiest between 12:00 and 13:30; good for accidental meetings.
Symposium coffee breaks
Technical
The highest concentration of engineers in one room.
Two days produce few but high-intent contacts; speed of follow-up matters more than volume.
Budget
Shell scheme
EUR 650–850 / m²
Raw space
EUR 380–520 / m²
Standard booth
9 m²
Paris venue rates; the organiser does not publish a 2028 tariff.
sourceAdjust the inputs below to create a directional event budget.
This is a directional estimate. Please verify live rates before booking.
Official cost items and estimated ranges for exhibitors.
booth
exhibitor · shell
USD 6300–8280 / 9 sqm stand
hotel
both · mid
USD 540–780 / 3 nights
travel
visitor · economy
USD 160–720 / return flight
| Item | For | Tier | Estimated range | Status | As of |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| booth | exhibitor | shell | USD 6300–8280 / 9 sqm stand | estimate | 2026-10-31 |
| hotel | both | mid | USD 540–780 / 3 nights | estimate | 2026-10-31 |
| travel | visitor | economy | USD 160–720 / return flight | estimate | 2026-10-31 |
Decision
Six quick questions to decide whether to visit, exhibit or skip FCTM ESOPE 2028.
QUESTION 1 OF 6
What is your role?
Compare participation options side by side to choose the best fit for your objectives.
visit
You need to qualify fabricators or inspection providers in person.
Best for
Engineers and procurement teams with live fabrication packages
Min. budget
$900.00
Timeline
Book 6-8 weeks ahead
Risks
Two-day format leaves little slack for travel delays
Symposium needs a separate ticket
exhibit
You have nuclear, hydrogen or process references to present to a concentrated buyer group.
Best for
Fabricators, welding suppliers and NDT providers selling to French operators
Min. budget
$9,000.00
Timeline
Commit 3-4 months ahead
Risks
Small audience; lead volume is limited
Stand costs in Paris are high relative to footfall
skip
Your products and references do not fit pressure equipment, piping or welding.
Best for
Suppliers with no French or European process-industry pipeline
Timeline
Reassess for the 2030 edition
Risks
Missing relationship building with French engineering offices
Book with
Paris Expo Porte de Versailles
Host venue for the 2028 edition, operated by Viparis.
Venue named by the organiser; not a commercial partner.
Air France
Hub carrier at Paris CDG with connections from most European and long-haul origins.
Useful travel resource, not an announced show partner.
CCI Paris Ile-de-France
Regional chamber supporting French industrial SMEs and export.
Public body, not an announced partner.
AFIAP
French association of pressure-equipment engineers, co-organiser of the ESOPE symposium.
Listed as co-organiser on trade directories.
Recommended providers
Official French visa portal; apply early.
Filter for Porte de Versailles and free cancellation.
Compare with low-cost carriers into CDG and Orly.
Heavy and fragile exhibit transport; confirm venue handler.
Public liability and travel cover; check exhibition stand clauses.
Official tourist office for evening and weekend planning.
Registration platform used by the organiser; scanner rental unconfirmed.
FAQs & glossary
Frequently asked
Glossary
Also known as
Alternate names and search phrases for this event.
5 more alternate names hidden
Trust footer
4
References
2
Publishers
4
Date checked
Infopro Digital / AFIAP
EventsEye
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