Fondation Cartier pour l'art contemporain

About the museum

The Fondation Cartier pour l’art contemporain was founded in 1984 on the initiative of the Cartier house and its then president, Alain Dominique Perrin. It first settled at the Domaine du Montcel in Jouy-en-Josas, before opening in 1994 a glass and steel building designed by Jean Nouvel on Boulevard Raspail in Paris’s 14th arrondissement, with a garden by the artist Lothar Baumgarten.

The foundation is devoted to contemporary creation in all its forms: painting, photography, design, fashion, music, dance and film. It brings together an international and multidisciplinary collection, commissions works and organises solo or thematic exhibitions, accompanied by catalogues. It has presented artists such as Malick Sidibé, Ron Mueck, David Lynch and Sally Gabori.

In October 2025 the foundation left Boulevard Raspail to move to 2 Place du Palais-Royal, in the 1st arrondissement, opposite the Louvre. Jean Nouvel redesigned this Haussmann building: five height-adjustable modular platforms offer 6,500 m² of exhibition space within 8,500 m² open to the public, complemented by an auditorium, a bookshop and a 300 m² educational space called La Manufacture.

Highlights

• Haussmann building redesigned by Jean Nouvel, opposite the Louvre
• Five height-adjustable modular exhibition platforms
• International collection of contemporary art
• La Manufacture, a 300 m² educational space
• Auditorium and bookshop

Founded

1984

Operated by

Fondation Cartier

Director

Chris Dercon

Admission & discounts

Reduction and free-admission conditions are detailed in a document published on the foundation’s website. If the price of a fixed-time ticket increases, the difference must be paid. A free ticket must also be booked.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible
• Elevator: no information
• Accessible restroom: no information
• Accessible parking: no information
• Service dogs welcome
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

Wheelchairs, folding stools and other visiting aids are lent on request, subject to availability. People with disabilities benefit from a priority queue. Only guide dogs and medically justified assistance animals are admitted to the exhibition spaces.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Stroller-friendly

All spaces are accessible with a pushchair; overly large pushchairs must be left at the cloakroom. Baby carriers are lent on request. Tours, workshops and offers for young audiences and families are available, as well as an educational space, La Manufacture. School groups are limited to one class and its accompanying adults.

Getting there & parking

Vélib’ stations no. 1013 and no. 1025.

Amenities & dining

• Café
• Museum shop
• Coat check
• Lockers

Le Petit Café is on the ground floor, near the group entrance, and is accessible to ticket holders. The bookshop, La Librairie, has its own entrance on rue de Rivoli. Small lockers are available; suitcases, scooters, folding bicycles and skateboards are not admitted.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent

Plan your visit