Centquatre-Paris, Cultural center in 19th arrondissement, France.
Centquatre-Paris is a cultural venue in a converted industrial building with exhibition spaces, working artist studios, performance theaters, and dining areas beneath soaring glass ceilings and exposed ironwork. The sprawling space combines outdoor courtyards with multiple indoor halls, creating a flexible environment for simultaneous exhibitions, shows, and creative activities.
In 1870 the Archbishop of Paris set up a funeral service on the site; the building, designed by Édouard Delebarre Debay and Godon under Victor Baltard, opened in 1874. It housed the municipal undertakers for over 120 years, with no mortuary except during wartime. Closed in 1997, it was restored by Atelier Novembre and opened as Centquatre-Paris on 11 October 2008.
This center brings together artists working across painting, sculpture, dance, and other forms, who regularly welcome visitors into their working studios. You can watch creators in action and experience art being made rather than just viewing finished pieces.
The center operates on a regular schedule, though hours vary by day, so checking before visiting is a good idea. Two nearby metro stations, Riquet and Stalingrad, provide easy public transport access to the location.
The building never had a morgue; bodies were only received during wartime, when repatriated soldiers were presented to families. In May 1968 the funeral staff did not strike but ran the service themselves for a month.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 93,521 contributors worldwide.
