Musée du quai Branly - Jacques-Chirac

About the museum

The idea for the museum emerged in the 1990s, when dealer Jacques Kerchache argued that non-Western art should enter the Louvre. President Jacques Chirac supported the project and, in 1996, announced the creation of a new museum devoted to these cultures. The project sparked debate, notably at the Musée de l’Homme, whose collections were to be transferred.

Architect Jean Nouvel won the international competition launched in 1999. The building, opened in June 2006, is surrounded by a 17,500 m² garden designed by Gilles Clément; a large green façade was created with botanist Patrick Blanc. The museum opened to the public on June 23, 2006, and has borne the name of Jacques Chirac since 2016.

Its holdings come mainly from the ethnology collections of the Musée de l’Homme and the Musée national des Arts d’Afrique et d’Océanie, which closed in 2003. They now comprise more than one million items, including objects, photographs and archive documents; around 3,500 objects are on permanent display.

Highlights

• Permanent collection gallery with objects from Africa, Asia, Oceania and the Americas
• Jean Nouvel’s architecture and green façade
• Gilles Clément’s garden, with views of the Eiffel Tower
• Temporary exhibitions and cultural programme
• Théâtre Claude Lévi-Strauss and cinema

Permanent exhibition

• Collections permanentes – Objects, musical instruments, textiles and works from Africa, Asia, Oceania and the Americas, presented on the main collection level.

Founded

2006

Operated by

Établissement public du musée du quai Branly – Jacques Chirac

Director

Jérôme Bastianelli

Visitors per year

approx. 615,795

Admission & discounts

Free admission: First Sunday of the month, for the permanent collections and temporary exhibitions.

The museum recommends booking online; visitors entitled to free admission should book a free ticket and show proof on arrival. Online tickets are neither exchangeable nor refundable. Payment on site by card, cheque, cash, chèques culture and ANCV holiday vouchers.

Accessibility

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

Several reserved spaces are available in the museum car park (25 quai Branly) and nearby. The entrance at 222 rue de l’Université is recommended for people with reduced mobility or support needs. Guided tours and storytelling tours cost €8 per person for a person with a disability and one companion. Accessibility contact: accessibilite@quaibranly.fr.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide
• Stroller-friendly

Storytelling tours, guided tours and workshops for families, the “Mon p’tit guide” visit guide to download and family-specific visit materials. Strollers are allowed in the museum. A children’s tablet app is offered.

Getting there & parking

Vélib’ stations are nearby, for example at 3 avenue Bosquet and 43 avenue Rapp.

Amenities & dining

• Café
• Restaurant
• Museum shop
• Coat check

Café Jacques (Tuesday to Sunday 11:00–19:00), Les Ombres restaurant (daily 12:00–14:00 and 19:00–22:00) and the BRAMBLE cocktail bar (daily from 18:00). Bookshop (Tuesday to Friday 10:30–19:00, Thursday until 20:00, weekends 11:00–19:00). Free cloakroom upon presentation of an admission ticket.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent
• Corporate events

Hireable spaces: exhibition areas, Les Ombres restaurant, panoramic terrace, Café Jacques, Théâtre Claude Lévi-Strauss, cinema and garden. Rentals are subject to the museum’s ethical charter. Contact: privatisation@quaibranly.fr.

Plan your visit