Located since 2005 in a striking Frank Gehry building—formerly the American Center—the Cinemathèque Française, founded in 1936 by Henri Langlois and Georges Franju, is a unique institution dedicated to preserving, restoring, and showcasing cinematic heritage. Its sculptural architecture, with slanted planes, raw concrete, and metallic reflections, mirrors the diversity and creativity of film.

Inside, visitors can explore:

the permanent Méliès Museum, with cameras, costumes, models and historical artifacts tracing cinema’s origins;

two temporary exhibition spaces highlighting auteurs like Wes Anderson or James Cameron;

four screening rooms (including the 412-seat Henri‑Langlois hall) equipped to project 70 mm, 35 mm, 16 mm, and digital formats; a media library, specialized archive, bookstore, and café-restaurant with terrace overlooking Parc de Bercy.

The atmosphere blends academic focus and conviviality: film history fans meet students, families, and casual visitors. The eclectic programming includes director retrospectives, premieres, silent-film concerts, masterclasses and lectures. Monthly “Jeudis Jeunes” grant free access to 18–25-year-olds on a Thursday evening.

The Cinemathèque offers a cinematic journey through time: from Méliès’s magic illusions, early film equipment, New Wave experimentation where Malraux and Truffaut cut their teeth, to contemporary festivals. Interesting fact: the building stood empty for nine years after the American Center’s bankruptcy before being repurposed.

Practical details:

Open Monday–Sunday except Tuesdays, May 1, Dec 25, and August.

Hours: 12–19 h weekdays, 11–20 h weekends and holidays, last admission 45 min before close.

Easily accessible via metro lines 6/14 (Bercy station), RER, buses. VIGIPIRATE rules apply—only small bags allowed.

Free entry for under‑5s; discounts for youth and students; monthly free evenings. Pricing varies by section (public museum, exhibitions, guided tours).

In short, the Cinemathèque Française is a vibrant cultural hub—where architecture, education, passion, and cinematic wonder converge in one of Paris’s architectural and cultural landmarks.