Can you visit the Maison de la Radio, Paris’s remarkable circular monument?

With its uniquely rounded silhouette—the only one of its kind in France—the House of Radio and Music is one of Paris’s most recognizable buildings. Inside lie legendary studios, a vast auditorium, works of art, and spaces usually reserved for Radio France teams.

You can't mistake it for any other building! Set along the Seine in the 16ᵉ arrondissement, the Maison de la Radio et de la Musique grabs the eye with its circular layout and central tower. For more than 60 years, it has hosted the studios of Radio France, world‑renowned orchestras, and hundreds of journalists, technicians, and producers. The home of France's radio heritage.

A round house envisioned for radio

In the wake of the Second World War, French broadcasting is experiencing unprecedented growth. The studios are scattered across several Parisian buildings, complicating their operation. The State decides to build a single headquarters capable of bringing together all the activities of the public radio.

The project was entrusted to architect Henry Bernard, a Grand Prix de Rome laureate. Construction began in 1953, and the building was inaugurated on 14 December 1963 by the General de Gaulle. Its circular plan, with a circumference of nearly 500m, organized around a central 68-meter tower, quickly earned it the nickname “Maison ronde”.

But this form isn’t only about aesthetics! It also shortens the routes between the studios and the various technical departments. The acoustical quality of the site likewise guided its placement, set well away from the metro lines to limit vibrations. In 2018, the facade and several emblematic elements of the building were inscribed as Monuments historiques, a recognition of its importance in 20th‑century French architectural history.

Iconic studios and a grand auditorium

Since 1975, the headquarters of Radio France has been the place where France Inter, France Culture, France Musique, franceinfo, Fip, Mouv' and the Ici network (formerly France Bleu) come together. Each day, dozens of programs are recorded there and broadcast live. The building also hosts the four musical ensembles of Radio France: the National Orchestra of France, the Radio France Philharmonic Orchestra, the Choir and the Maîtrise.

To welcome them, a sweeping renovation project gave birth to two grand concert halls: the Auditorium de Radio France, inaugurated in 2014 with more than 1,400 seats, and the Studio 104, fully modernized, which now hosts concerts, public broadcasts, and radio productions.

Another notable feature is that the Maison de la Radio et de la Musique preserves a substantial collection of artworks integrated into its architecture. Sculptures, tapestries and installations punctuate the building’s various spaces.

A building that has continually evolved

From 2004 onward, the Maison de la Radio underwent a sweeping rehabilitation aimed at modernizing its facilities while respecting the architecture conceived by Henry Bernard. The work, rolled out in phases to keep broadcasts on the air, concerns both the studios and the public-facing areas.

Today, the Maison de la Radio et de la Musique has become a genuine cultural hub. In addition to live broadcasts recorded before an audience, it hosts year-round concerts, lectures, exhibitions and events open to everyone, giving the building life far beyond its purely broadcasting mission.

Can you visit the House of Radio and Music?

Yes, and it’s even possible year-round. The House of Radio and Music offers guided tours focusing on its history and architecture. For about 1h30, visitors get a look at the building’s behind-the-scenes aspects, its evolution, several iconic spaces, and the major milestones in the making of Radio France’s programs. Depending on the period and technical constraints, some studios or rooms may not be accessible.

The establishment also participates in the European Heritage Days, with special routes that let visitors explore spaces rarely open to the public. Recording studios, production spaces, Studio 104, and the central tower are sometimes included in the itinerary, alongside concerts and other activities.

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