Palais de Tokyo, Contemporary art museum in 16th arrondissement, France
Palais de Tokyo is a contemporary art space in the 16th arrondissement of Paris, hosting changing exhibitions across more than 22,000 square meters. The interior spreads over several levels, combining concrete, steel, and glass with exposed walls and open areas.
The building opened in 1937 for the International Exposition and was originally called Palais des Musées d'Art Moderne. From 2002 it focused solely on contemporary art after a redesign of the interior spaces.
The name refers to the former Avenue de Tokio, now called Avenue de New York, which runs along the Seine. Artists often work on-site, creating pieces inside the galleries while visitors walk through the spaces.
The museum sits on Avenue du Président Wilson near Pont d'Iéna and the Eiffel Tower. Exhibitions rotate regularly and usually run for several weeks to a few months.
Opening hours until midnight allow for late visits after dinner and often draw a younger audience. Some areas remain deliberately unfinished, showing raw construction materials without added covering.
Location: 16th arrondissement of Paris
Inception: 2000
Architects: Jean-Philippe Vassal
Official opening: May 24, 1937
Architectural style: Art Deco
Elevation above the sea: 38 m
Fee: Yes
Address: 13 avenue du Président Wilson
Opening Hours: Monday-Sunday 12:00-24:00; Tuesday off; January 01 off; May 01 off; December 25 off; December 24 12:00- 18:00; December 31 12:00- 18:00
Phone: +33147235401
Website: https://palaisdetokyo.com
GPS coordinates: 48.86408,2.29713
Latest update: December 5, 2025 22:23
Paris offers numerous museums away from major tourist crowds, presenting specialized collections. These institutions focus on diverse subjects including Asian art, mineralogy, historical urban planning, and contemporary photography. The exhibitions provide detailed insights into specific fields and historical developments. Visitors find space for focused observation without crowded halls. Collections range from archaeological finds to technical models and artistic works from various periods. These museums complement the city's cultural offerings through their thematic diversity and scholarly approach. They provide opportunities to explore specific areas of interest and discover lesser covered aspects of the Parisian cultural landscape.
Art Deco shaped cities from the early 1920s through the late 1930s. The style combines geometric patterns, metallic surfaces, and decorative ornament with functional architecture. Buildings display characteristic vertical lines, stepped forms, and symmetrical facades. The Chrysler Building in New York and Marine Building in Vancouver demonstrate the height and elegance of the style in skyscrapers. The Palais de Tokyo in Paris and Museum of Applied Arts in Budapest show its cultural applications. The Hoover Building in London and Daily Express Building in Manchester represent commercial architecture of the era. Cincinnati Union Terminal, Warner Theatre in Washington, and Wiltern Theatre in Los Angeles document the style's popularity in public buildings. The reach extended worldwide. Edificio Bacardi in Havana, Kavanagh building in Buenos Aires, and New India Assurance Building in Mumbai show regional interpretations. Villa Empain and Stoclet Palace in Brussels, Municipal House in Prague, Tokyo Metropolitan Teien Art Museum, and Universum Kino in Berlin document European and Asian presence. Tiong Bahru Estate in Singapore demonstrates the application to residential developments. The Miami Design Preservation League preserves one of the largest concentrations of Art Deco buildings in the United States. This collection includes public, private, and commercial structures that document the movement's international influence.
Paris offers many options for families with children, from large amusement parks to interactive museums. Disneyland Paris in Marne-la-Vallée features two themed parks focused on Disney characters, while Parc Astérix in Plailly offers roller coasters and shows inspired by Gaulish culture. In the city, the Cité des Sciences et de l'Industrie allows children to explore technology and science practically, with its planetarium and experimental zones. Families can also visit the Paris Zoological Park, which displays 180 species in habitats recreating different ecosystems, or explore the National Museum of Natural History with its fossil and mineral collections. For aquatic activities, Aquaboulevard has slides and wave pools under a roof. The Grevin Museum exhibits over 200 wax statues of famous personalities, while the Museum of Illusions engages viewers with interactive visual installations. La Villette Park combines green spaces, playgrounds, and cultural venues across 55 hectares.
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