Fondation Cartier: A Transparent Vision by Jean Nouvel

In October 2025, the Fondation Cartier pour l’Art Contemporain unveiled its new home at 2 Place du Palais-Royal in Paris, marking a significant evolution in its architectural journey. This move from its previous location on Boulevard Raspail to the historic Grands Magasins du Louvre reflects a commitment to blending contemporary art with architectural innovation. Originally constructed in 1855 for the first Parisian Exposition Universelle, the building transitioned from a grand hotel to a department store, and now serves as a dynamic space for modern artistic expression.

Renowned architect Jean Nouvel spearheaded the transformation, introducing a design that emphasizes transparency and adaptability. A standout feature is the 150-meter-long glass canopy along the Saint-Honoré facade, which spans the length of the building and serves as a sheltered pedestrian route connecting Rue de Rivoli to the Palais-Royal. This canopy comprises 84 laminated glass panels, each varying in width from 1,119 mm to 3,050 mm, and is supported by a robust steel frame. The use of laminated glass ensures both safety and durability, while the varying panel sizes contribute to the canopy’s dynamic aesthetic.

Inside, Nouvel’s design features five monumental moving platforms, each measuring 250 square meters and weighing 250 tons. These platforms, suspended by a cable-and-pulley system, can rise and descend to reshape the exhibition spaces, allowing for flexible and dynamic presentations of art. The interior also boasts expansive glass walls that invite natural light, creating a seamless connection between the indoor galleries and the surrounding urban landscape.

The inaugural exhibition, Exposition Générale, curated by Formafantasma, takes full advantage of this architectural openness. The scenography extends Nouvel’s architectural concept into a curatorial experiment that draws on the display systems of 19th-century trade fairs, reimagining the exhibition as a social and experimental field.