Cartier Foundation for contemporary art
Founded in 1984 by the jewelry house Cartier, the Cartier Foundation for contemporary art is a space for dialogue and artistic experimentation that places contemporary art in all its forms—along with its exhibition and dissemination—at the heart of its institutional mission. Its Paris spaces, housed in a Haussmannian building, have been completely reimagined by the architect Jean Nouvel, who designed a dynamic architecture composed of five movable platforms, enabling fully modular spatial configurations and variations in light.
Copyright: photographer © Martin Argyroglo
Where is the Cartier Foundation for contemporary art located?
The Cartier Foundation for contemporary art is located in Paris’s 1st arrondissement. More precisely, its address is:** 2 Place du Palais-Royal, 75001 Paris**. This venue is easily accessible by public transportation, notably the metro and buses.
What are the opening hours of the Cartier Foundation for contemporary art?
The Cartier Foundation for contemporary art is open every day from 11 AM to 8 PM, except on Mondays. The bookstore closes at 7:30 PM.
- Evening hours on Tuesdays, until 10 PM.
- Additional evening hours on Thursdays, February 20 and 27, and March 6 and 13, until 10 PM.
What are the admission prices for the Cartier Foundation for contemporary art?
The Cartier Foundation for contemporary art offers different admission prices:
- Full price: €15
- Reduced price: €10
- Free: Under 13 years old, ICOM card, press card, disability/PRM card, visual arts/applied arts teacher, beneficiaries of social minimums/RSA.
How to get to the Cartier Foundation for contemporary art?
You can take public transportation to get to the Fondation Cartier for contemporary art:
By metro
- Lines 1 or 7 — Palais Royal – Musée du Louvre station. The nearest exit is Exit 4: rue de Valois.
- Lines 7 or 14 — Pyramides station. Exit via Exit 1: Avenue de l’Opéra. The metro stop is a 6-minute walk from the Fondation Cartier.
By bus
- Lines 21, 27, 39, 68, and 95 — Palais Royal – Comédie Française stop
- Line 67 — Palais Royal – Musée du Louvre stop
By RER
- RER A, B, and D — Châtelet–Les Halles station. Exit via Exit 8: Porte du Louvre – Forum. The RER stop is a 10-minute walk from the Fondation Cartier.
Points of interest around the Cartier Foundation for contemporary art
The Fondation Cartier for contemporary art is located in the heart of the 1st arrondissement, between the Palais Royal, the Louvre, and the Comédie-Française. The neighborhood brings together major museums, historic gardens, covered passages, and great places to visit.
Must-see sights within a 10-minute walk:
- Jardin & Domaine national du Palais Royal : with its elegant arcades, historic boutiques and cafés (including Le Grand Véfour), and a formal French garden. Not to miss: the Colonnes de Buren (Les Deux Plateaux) and Pol Bury’s fountains in the Cour d’honneur.
- Comédie-Française (Salle Richelieu) : a legendary national theater. It often offers guided tours.
- Musée du Louvre & its Pyramid : the most-visited museum in the world. Access via the Cour Napoléon or the Carrousel du Louvre (the underground entrance, sometimes smoother). Tip for your visit: book a time slot and use the Galerie du Carrousel entrance to avoid the crowds.
- Musée des Arts Décoratifs (Marsan wing of the Louvre): for lovers of design, furniture, fashion, and graphic arts—ideal if you’re looking for a more focused museum than the Louvre.
- Jardin des Tuileries : featuring statues, vistas toward Place de la Concorde and the Louvre, and its iconic green chairs. At the garden’s western end are the Musée de l’Orangerie (devoted to Claude Monet’s Water Lilies) and the Musée du Jeu de Paume (photography).
These places offer a variety of cultural and artistic experiences, perfect for complementing a visit to the Fondation Cartier.