In the heart of Montparnasse, a key district for artists between 1910 and 1940, we discover the Cité Falguière. Initiated by sculptor Jules-Ernest Bouillot in 1861, this housing estate, mainly made up of studios, was home to such great names as Modigliani, Brancusi and Soutine. Unfortunately, urban development projects have resulted in the disappearance of a large part of the estate, leaving only ateliers n°9 and 11.
Treasures of the Cité Falguière:
Atelier 11 is not just a relic of the past, it's a vibrant testament to artistic heritage. For over six decades, the local community has fought to preserve this unique space. In 2022, their efforts finally bore fruit with the institutional support of the Fondation du Patrimoine, launching a project to preserve Atelier 11 as an international Arts and Research residence. However, the battle does not end there. The need for funding for interior renovations persists, keeping alive the hope that this studio will continue to inspire contemporary artists.
For the Journées du Patrimoine, we invite you to this unique discovery. Before Atelier 11 embarks on its new rehabilitation phase, come and discover its living heritage, the testimony of the artists in residence, and immerse yourself in the 60-year saga of its preservation.
In 2025, Atelier 11 - the last active artists' studio in the Cité Falguière - celebrates its 150th anniversary. As part of the European Heritage Days and under the theme "Architectural heritage: windows to the past, doors to the future", this event will explore the relationship between artistic creation and built heritage, while encouraging collective reflection on the future of creative spaces in urban environments.
Taking place in parallel with the Journées du Matrimoine, this celebration will also highlight the cultural heritage of historically under-represented women artists. Together, Heritage and Matrimoine form our common cultural heritage, and promoting gender equality requires renewed recognition of women's contributions and their rightful place in historically male-dominated spaces.
The women of the Cité Falguière
While the Cité Falguière is celebrated for having played host to great artists of the École de Paris - including Modigliani, Soutine, Foujita and Brancusi - its history has too often overlooked the contributions of women, as is unfortunately common in art history. In response, the associations L'AiR Arts and Cité Falguière have joined forces to preserve Atelier 11 and its rich international artistic heritage, while giving much-needed visibility to under-represented artists, particularly women. As part of this dual initiative, we will be highlighting the women artists who have lived and worked at Cité Falguière, covering both past and contemporary scenes. We'll be focusing on four little-known women artists:
* Lilian de Glehn Thibaut (1872-1951): an English painter who worked at the Cité Falguière during the Roaring Twenties.
* Mania Mavro (1889-1969): a painter from the Russian Empire (now Ukraine).
* Zofia Piramowicz (1880-1958): Polish painter of Armenian origin.
* Fanny Rozet (1881-1958): sculptor and first woman admitted to the École des Beaux-Arts in Paris.
This project aims to reintegrate these artists into the global narrative by connecting them with today's female creators. Alongside this special presentation, we will continue to honor Mira Maodus (b. 1942), a French artist of Serbian-Russian origin, a fervent practitioner of abstraction in painting and Atelier 11's last permanent resident. In parallel, the event will include an open studio with Jay Lee, a nomadic interdisciplinary artist currently in residence with L'AiR Arts at Atelier 11, whose work explores themes of memory, identity and time.
By placing these artists within the narrative and fostering a dialogue between past and present, this project pays tribute to the women of the École de Paris and those who continue to perpetuate its legacy today.
This event is organized by the associations L'AiR Arts and Cité Falguière, in partnership with the Fonds d'art contemporain - Paris Collections, which holds works by over 30 artists who lived and worked at Cité Falguière in the 19th, 20th and 21st centuries.
The Cité Falguière showcases the careers and works of Zofia Piramowicz (1880 - 1958), a painter of Armenian and Polish origin, Fanny Rozet (1881 - 1951), a pioneering sculptor and Lilian de Glehn Thibaut, an English painter of the Roaring Twenties.
In 2025, Atelier 11 - the last active artists' studio in the Cité Falguière - celebrates its 150th anniversary. As part of the European Heritage Days and under the theme "Architectural heritage: windows to the past, doors to the future", this event will explore the relationship between artistic creation and built heritage, while encouraging collective reflection on the future of creative spaces in urban environments.
Taking place in parallel with the Journées du Matrimoine, this celebration will also highlight the cultural heritage of historically under-represented women artists. Together, Heritage and Matrimoine form our common cultural heritage, and promoting gender equality requires renewed recognition of women's contributions and their rightful place in historically male-dominated spaces.
The women of the Cité Falguière
While the Cité Falguière is celebrated for having played host to great artists of the École de Paris - including Modigliani, Soutine, Foujita and Brancusi - its history has too often overlooked the contributions of women, as is unfortunately common in art history. In response, the associations L'AiR Arts and Cité Falguière have joined forces to preserve Atelier 11 and its rich international artistic heritage, while giving much-needed visibility to under-represented artists, particularly women. As part of this dual initiative, we will be highlighting the women artists who have lived and worked at Cité Falguière, covering both past and contemporary scenes. We'll be focusing on a number of lesser-known women artists:
* Lilian de Glehn Thibaut (1872-1951): an English painter who worked at the Cité Falguière during the Roaring Twenties.
* Mania Mavro (1889-1969): painter from the Russian Empire (now Ukraine)
* Zofia Piramowicz (1880-1958): Polish painter of Armenian origin.
* Fanny Rozet (1881-1958): sculptor and first woman admitted to the École des Beaux-Arts in Paris.
This project aims to reintegrate these artists into the global narrative by connecting them with today's female creators. Alongside this special presentation, we will continue to honor Mira Maodus (b. 1942), a French artist of Serbian-Russian origin, a fervent practitioner of abstraction in painting and Atelier 11's last permanent resident. In parallel, the event will include an open studio with Jay Lee, a nomadic interdisciplinary artist currently in residence with L'AiR Arts at Atelier 11, whose work explores themes of memory, identity and time.
By placing these artists within the narrative and fostering a dialogue between past and present, this project pays tribute to the women of the École de Paris and those who continue to perpetuate its legacy today.
This event is organized by the associations L'AiR Arts and Cité Falguière, in partnership with the Fonds d'art contemporain - Paris Collections, which holds works by over 30 artists who lived and worked at Cité Falguière in the 19th, 20th and 21st centuries.
An experience not to be missed, a heritage to be celebrated and a history to be continued. Embark on this journey to the heart of Parisian art, a good deal we're proud to share with you.
This page may contain AI-assisted elements, more information here.
Dates and Opening Time
From September 20, 2025 to September 21, 2025
Location
Cité Falguière
Cité Falguière
75015 Paris 15
Prices
Free
Recommended age
For all