An Artistic Revolution Takes Place in Paris! The New Fondation Cartier, Relocated from Boulevard Raspail, Opens its Doors Opposite the Palais-Royal in a Building Masterfully Renovated by Jean Nouvel. Discover the Works and Projects of this New Temple of Contemporary Art, Just a Few Metro Stops from the Monna Lisa by Inwood Hotels.
From Raspail to the Louvre: The Fondation Cartier Reimagined by Jean Nouvel
Paris is buzzing, and the cultural calendar for the end of 2025 promises to be spectacular. A major contemporary art institution has made a historic move, anchoring itself in the heart of the capital's most iconic district. The New Fondation Cartier has opened its doors at 2, Place du Palais-Royal, directly opposite the Richelieu wing of the Louvre. This new address is a godsend: a temple of contemporary creation is settling in, offering you an unprecedented and perfectly accessible artistic experience. This monumental project is a work of art in itself, designed by its original architect, Jean Nouvel.
The Breath of a New Era: The Legacy of the 14th Arrondissement
For three decades, the identity of the Fondation Cartier was intimately linked to the glass and steel building designed by Jean Nouvel on Boulevard Raspail (in the 14th arrondissement). This iconic and pioneering venue marked the history of contemporary art through its permanent dialogue between architecture, nature, and light.
In leaving this setting, the Foundation has not just moved: it has chosen a new chapter, that of an institution inscribed within the millennia-old history of Paris. This transfer from Boulevard Raspail to the 1st arrondissement symbolizes a multiplied ambition and a new proximity to the world's greatest museums.
The Architectural Renaissance: Facing the Place du Palais-Royal
The Foundation's new home is a monument steeped in history: the former Louvre des Antiquaires. An audacious renovation project was required to transform this 19th-century edifice into a "machine for seeing" contemporary art.
Jean Nouvel, a visionary architect, orchestrated a technical feat that lasted several years. The goal was not to build, but to reveal. The renovations notably allowed the building to open up to the city, confronting the historical stone with resolutely modern elements of glass and metal. The result is a space of over 8,500 sq. m., including 6,500 sq. m. of exhibition space (five times the surface area of the former Foundation!), offering unprecedented freedom of experimentation to artists. The architecture itself becomes a work of art, a bridge between memory and modernity.
The General Exhibition: A Manifesto for the Creation of the Future
The launch of this new adventure is marked by the Exposition Générale (General Exhibition), open from October 25, 2025, to August 23, 2026. This monumental exhibition is a true manifesto celebrating the Foundation's audacious spirit, displaying six hundred works woven from its vast collections. Far from being a mere retrospective, it sets sail toward a creation resolutely focused on the future. Art is recounted here through poetic and forward-looking themes: visitors are invited to meditate on the Machines d'architecture (Architectural Machines), the imaginaries behind the act of building, or to be moved by the theme Être nature (Being Nature), a profound reflection on life, the forest, and the coexistence of worlds. But the new Foundation does not merely exhibit; it commits to creation. A dedicated space of over 300 square meters is now a sanctuary for manual know-how, a place for the transmission of skills that invites schoolchildren, families, and adults to initiate themselves into artistic practice and become actors of beauty.
Experience Contemporary Art from the Monna Lisa
The New Fondation Cartier Louvre is the cultural event that will enrich your stay at the Monna Lisa by Inwood Hotels. Its proximity to our establishment (15 min by metro) and its exceptional location make it a dream destination to punctuate your Parisian days with a touch of wonder. Come and discover how Jean Nouvel has transformed historical stone into a bright future, making this new venue a true "machine for seeing" the world differently.