The Cartier Foundation: a showcase for contemporary art right in the heart of Paris

Founded in 1984 under the leadership of Alain Dominique Perrin, then-president of Cartier House, the Cartier Foundation for Contemporary Art was envisioned as a distinctive space dedicated to celebrating contemporary French and international art. It was conceived as an accessible museum open to all, showcasing creation in all its diverse forms.

Paintings, sculptures, photographs, drawings, installations, textile artworks, as well as cinema, live performances, and happenings — the Fondation Cartier celebrates all facets of contemporary art. Its permanent collection features 4,500 works by 500 artists from around the globe. The interdisciplinary programming explores a wide range of themes and artistic disciplines.

The Foundation first settles in Jouy-en-Josas, in the Yvelines department, before relocating to the 14th arrondissement of Paris in 1994. Come fall 2025, the art space will move once more, taking up residence in the heart of the city, directly facing the Louvre Museum, inside the historic former Louvre des Antiquaires building.

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The Haussmann-era building has been renovated to house the museum, its collections, and its artistic programming. The Fondation Cartier spans over 6,500 square meters of exhibition space and welcomes visitors across 8,500 square meters. The museum is designed with adaptable platforms: the interior spaces can be reconfigured and modified to suit different exhibition needs.

In addition to the exhibition areas, the Foundation hosts an educational space dedicated to art education, along with a shop and bookstore, an auditorium, a restaurant, and a bar. While the museum spans multiple levels, all spaces are fully accessible to visitors with mobility challenges.

As a flagship of contemporary art in Paris, a must-visit destination for art lovers, the Fondation Cartier promises a year full of exciting cultural events and exhibitions.

Latest News from the Museum:

General Exhibition: the Fondation Cartier recounts 40 years of exhibitions for its reopening
The Fondation Cartier pour l'art contemporain is reopening its doors in a new location in the heart of Paris with a new exhibition: from October 25, 2025, to August 23, 2026, discover the General Exhibition. [Read more]