The accounts are not good: to relieve its finances and restore its building, the Palais de Tokyo will be forced to close its doors in the near future. The details of this closure have not yet been finalized, but it is likely that the museum will decide to begin the work in 2025, with a hoped-for reopening in 2026.
For the 1937Exposition Internationale, a huge Art Deco building was erected between Avenue du Président Wilson and Avenue de New York (formerly known as "Quai de Tokio"), to house two modern art museums. Nearly a century later, the building is beginning to show its age. The Palais de Tokyo, housed in the building's west wing, has been suffering from a number of problems for several years now.
Major waterproofing problems have been reported and monitored since 2018. Roofing, skylights, bay windows, marble slabs: water is seeping into the museum, causing significant damage. In an observation report published in December 2022, the Cour des Comptes also mentions " a diagnosis of the exterior facades, then of the interior stone facings, a study of the resistance of the floors, an electrical audit etc. [qui] successively bring to light defects either in design, or in maintenance and renovation, which weaken the site or put it in danger through lack of compliance with new standards. "
A complete restoration of the museum is therefore called for. But this work is not trivial, and requires complex organization. " The total cost of the work, covering renovation and insulation (waterproofing, changing the original zinc roofs, for example) and bringing the building up to safety standards, including electrical, without any new developments for programmatic purposes, is estimated at a minimum of 15 million euros ", adds the Cour des Comptes.
In 2021, as recalled by the Journal des Arts, the operator of cultural heritage and real estate projects (Oppic) recommended that the Centre d'Art Moderne carry out a series of works over a ten-year period, so that the museum could continue to welcome visitors. However, the cost of the multiple restorations carried out over the years, coupled with the special insurance policies the museum must take out to protect the works, are no longer viable.
To reduce these expenses, the Palais de Tokyo is considering closing its doors entirely for a limited period. By devoting itself solely to the work, the museum should be able to speed up the restoration process, and thus save money, despite the absence of visitors. Marianne Berger, Deputy Director General of the Palais de Tokyo, is counting on a "short closure of no more than one year", according to Le Monde.
According to current discussions, the museum should close completely in 2025, reopening around 2026. We'll have to wait and see what the details of the Palais de Tokyo's renovation plan are. In the meantime, the art center continues its activities.
Bambini, the Italian canteen of the Palais de Tokyo and its terrace under the parasols
The dolce vita is invited to the Palais de Tokyo with the Italian trattoria Bambini, where you can enjoy an aperitivo with friends and cocktails with Italian flavors on the large terrace, under the parasols. [Read more]
Immerse yourself in the fascinating world of the Palais de Tokyo, a jewel of contemporary art located in the heart of Paris. Opening times, prices, reservations, nearby transport... Everything you need to know before your visit! [Read more]
Healing the mind, putting an end to taboos, putting the human back into the medical world: this is the aim of this exhibition, which explores mental health. The Palais de Tokyo presents Toucher l'insensé, from February 16 to June 30, 2024. [Read more]
Mohamed Bourouissa brings us tales of bitterness, in an intimate and poetic exhibition, to be seen at the Palais de Tokyo from February 16 to June 30, 2024. [Read more]
The Palais de Tokyo invites the curious to discover one of its group exhibitions, entitled Dislocations, from February 16 to June 30, 2024. [Read more]
The Palais de Tokyo is devoting an exhibition to artists' involvement in the anti-imperialist movement of the 1960s-1980s among oppressed peoples, entitled Passé Inquiet: Musées, Exil et Solidarité (Past Disquiet), from February 16 to June 30, 2024. [Read more]
Experience a unique immersion into the world of Chloé Bensahel with "Tisser l'Hybride", the avant-garde exhibition to be discovered at Palais de Tokyo from April 25 to June 30, 2024. Through interactive works that combine textiles, multimedia and performance, this installation explores the themes of identity, migration and cultural hybridization. [Read more]
Museum Night 2024 takes place on Saturday, May 18, 2024 across France. In Paris, we'll be taking advantage of the many events, especially at the Palais de Tokyo, which has some great surprises in store for us... [Read more]
Visit the gardens of the Palais de Tokyo, on Saturday June 1 and Sunday June 2, for the new edition of Rendez-vous aux Jardins 2024. [Read more]
Bambini, the Italian canteen of the Palais de Tokyo and its terrace under the parasols
Palais de Tokyo: opening hours, prices, reservations... All you need to know about the Paris museum
Touching the senseless: our photos from the group show at Palais de Tokyo
Signal at the Palais de Tokyo: our photos of Mohamed Bourouissa's intimate exhibition
Dislocations: our photos from the group show at Palais de Tokyo
Past Disquiet exhibition at the Palais de Tokyo - our photos
Weaving the Hybrid, Chloé Bensahel's exhibition at the Palais de Tokyo
Nuit des Musées 2024: nocturnal exhibitions at the Palais de Tokyo
