The Palais de Tokyo, built in 1937 for the International Exposition and inaugurated on May 24, is now one of Paris’s boldest cultural venues. Housing the western wing of the monumental Art Deco building, it became Europe’s leading contemporary art center in 2002 and was further expanded in 2012.

Each season features temporary exhibitions by renowned and emerging artists across installations, performances, fashion, design and music. Without a permanent collection, the Palais functions as a living art laboratory, open until midnight on Thursdays with unique events.

The atmosphere is relaxed, youthful and dynamic, attracting art lovers, students, families, urban explorers and nightlife seekers. Exhibitions are punctuated by events such as “Cartes Blanches” or “White Nights”, creating immersive, offbeat experiences.

Family workshops (Tok‑Tok), guided tours in French and English, sign language presentations, and accessibility services (wheelchairs, adapted restrooms, easy-read guides) are all available.

On‑site services include the Walther König & Cahiers d’Art bookshop, the Italian‑style cantina Bambini, and the stylish riverside restaurant Monsieur Bleu. At night, the underground Yoyo venue hosts live music and clubbing.

Set in a historic building designed by Dondel, Aubert, Viard and Dastugue, with Art Deco sculptures, an outdoor reflecting pool and expansive concrete-and-steel volumes, the site was renovated by Lacaton & Vassal to preserve openness and raw material integrity.

For visitors, the Palais is easily reachable via Metro (Line 9 – Iéna or Alma Marceau), bus, RER C (Pont de l’Alma), Vélib’ and nearby parking with EV charging. Admission is €13 full price, €9 for reduced rate (18‑25, students, seniors, etc.), and free for those eligible including under‑18s, job seekers, social welfare recipients, and disabled visitors and one companion.

Notably, the exposed concrete interior, now iconic, originally resulted from low budgets—but that raw aesthetic has since become a celebrated signature of the space.