Summary
Considered more a bastion of classicism and epicenter for commercial deals than a hotbed of artistic experimentation, you could say that Paris has lost the status it enjoyed in the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries as the modern art world’s teeming center.
Nonetheless, contemporary art museums and centers in Paris boast some of the world’s richest and most impressive permanent collections. Moreover, highly popular temporary exhibitions year-round highlight various mediums including painting, sculpture, photography, film, video, and multimedia art. If you’re interested in trends in contemporary creation, don’t miss out on exploring the collections and current shows at these major institutions and up-and-coming new spaces.
01. The NMMA at the Centre Pompidou
The NMMA (National Museum of Modern Art) simply cannot be missed if you wish to gain insight into overarching trends in modern art from the late nineteenth century to the present day. Its permanent collection is regularly refreshed, curated with all audiences in mind, and is often arranged thematically, highlighting particular movements or aspects of artistic creation. Amble around the vast, quirkily designed Centre Pompidou and enjoy rooftop views of Paris after visiting the collection or enjoying one of the center’s top-notch temporary exhibits.
02. Modern Art Museum of the City of Paris
Situated in the 16th arrondissement, the Modern Art Museum of the City of Paris is the city’s municipally owned center for contemporary arts, holding an impressive permanent collection and hosting temporary exhibitions. It opened in the early 1960s to accommodate new acquisitions by the city and is part of the larger space called the “Palais de Tokyo.” The eastern wing of the building houses a contemporary exhibition space opened in 2002 and is also known as the Palais de Tokyo.
03. Palais de Tokyo
Just adjacent to the Musee d’Art Moderne de la Ville de Paris is the Palais de Tokyo, arguably the reigning center for the avant-garde in the Parisian arts scene. Opened to the public in 2002, the Palais de Tokyo’s spacious exhibition areas and adjoining trendy café-restaurant are popular among art students and hipsters. Their exhibition program generally leans toward the idiosyncratic and abstract.
04. Cartier Foundation
The Cartier Foundation for Contemporary Art may not be particularly well-known to tourists but plays a significant role in the city’s contemporary arts scene. Located near Montparnasse, the foundation actively supports and commissions works from emerging artists, thereby promoting artistic vibrancy and innovation. Furthermore, it hosts several exciting thematic exhibits every year, and the gorgeous gardens at the back add to the charm.
05. Maison Européenne de la Photographie
The Maison Européenne de la Photographie in Paris is perhaps the city’s leading center showcasing trends in contemporary photography. Located in the fashionable Marais district, the center features an ongoing stream of exhibitions highlighting the work of prominent or promising new photographers, as well as retrospectives on distinctive movements in photo history that are exceptional.
06. Vuitton Foundation: A Bold New Venture
With breathtaking architecture designed by Frank Gehry, the Fondation Vuitton, inaugurated in 2014, seeks to make a significant mark on the Parisian contemporary arts scene.
07. Le Cent-Quatre
Designed as a full-fledged cultural center serving northern Paris and its young urban professionals and artists, Le Cent-Quatre is one of the city’s newest additions to the contemporary arts scene. Galleries, a restaurant, dance classes, musical performances, and other eclectic activities abound in its vibrant program.
