The Cartier foundation and the Louis Vuitton foudation

As the first example of sponsorship in France, the Cartier Foundation for contemporary art has been championing contemporary artists for over 30 years. It is at once a space for artists to come and express themselves and an exhibition center, open to all disciplines: photography, painting video, fashion and the performing arts.

Housed in its magnificent glass and steel building designed by Jean Nouvel and inaugurated in 1984, not only does it blend seamlessly into its surroundings, it even transforms from day to day as the shadow of its Lebanese Cedar, planted by Chateaubriand in 1823, appears to metamorphose at the discretion of surrounding lights. The Foundation currently houses a lavish exhibition on Congolese artistic life: Beauty Congo showcasing approximately 350 works and 41 artists for a multi-disciplinary path: paintings, sculptures and photographs. Some of the artists featured in the exhibition were hosted at the Esprit de France hotel, Hotel Aiglon, also located Boulevard Raspail, during the opening ceremony.

Inaugurated in October 2014, the Louis Vuitton Foundation also champions artistic creativity. However, it functions more as a traditional museum. Although it has commissioned many works from young artists, it also boasts a wealth of big names from the contemporary scene, in the likes of Ellsworth Kelly, Christian Boltanski and Olafur Eliasson. Its building designed by Frank Gehry and often nicknamed the “Guggenheim of Paris” is just amazing. It is a masterful creation depicting twelve glass sails made of 3600 glass panels, set within Bois de Boulogne. Its location next to the Jardin d’Acclimatation means that not only will it bring pleasure to adults; children will also be attracted to it as they discover this beautiful play area (rides, animals, games, etc…)
 

Plan your visit
 

Fondation Cartier pour l'art contemporain


261, boulevard Raspail, Paris 14.

Open every day, except Monday

From 11:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.

Open Tuesday evenings until 10 p.m.

Tuesday through Friday at 6:30 pm, visitors with an admission ticket can attend a free guided tour of the exhibition.

From 7 to 10.50 Euros.
 

Fondation Louis Vuitton

8 avenue du Mahatma Gandhi, Paris 16.

Monday, Wednesday, Thursday: from 12.00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.

Open Friday evenings until 11.00 p.m.

Saturday and Sunday: from 11.00 a.m to 8.00 p.m.

From 5 to 14 euros (with Jardin d'Acclimatation entrance), free under 3 years old.