Fondation Cartier Reveals Plans to Move into a Historic Landmark in Paris Reimagined by Jean Nouvel

Fondation Cartier pour l'art contemporain announced plans to move into a historic building in Place du Palais-Royal in Paris. Originally built in 1855, the Haussmannian building will be reimagined by architect Jean Nouvel and is scheduled to open in 2025. The collaboration between Fondation Cartier and Jean Nouvel dates back to 1994 when the architect designed the "Parisian Monument," a glass and steel building on Boulevard Raspail that serves as the institution's current headquarters.

The new location was originally inaugurated in 1855 as the Grand Hôtel du Louvre. The site evolved into the Grands Magasins du Louvre in 1863 before being converted into the Louvre des Antiquaires in 1978. Jean Nouvel's design aims to integrate the building's historical context, emphasizing an open architecture with large bay windows that open views of the surrounding Rue du Faubourg Saint-Honoré, Rue de Rivoli, and Place du Palais-Royal.

In 1994, the Fondation Cartier pour l'art contemporain transitioned to a new location in Paris, designed by acclaimed architect Jean Nouvel. Positioned on Boulevard Raspail, the building was a radical departure from traditional museum architecture, constructed entirely of glass and steel. Instead of the conventional walls, the building embraced transparency and fluidity, thus constantly redefining the exhibition space and its connection to the urban environment. The openness of the design invited artists to engage creatively with the space and its surroundings. Nouvel's approach allowed for a continuous dialogue between art, architecture, and the city, an approach set to continue into Fondation Cartier's third chapter.