Established in 1973 as the Yugoslav Cultural and Information Centre, the Serbian Cultural Centre was founded with the purpose of fostering cultural and scientific exchanges between its then‑country and France, showcasing Serbian heritage and contemporary expressions. In 1979 the centre relocated to its current premises at 123 Rue Saint‑Martin, directly opposite the Pompidou Centre—ensuring exceptional visibility in the cultural heart of Paris’s Beaubourg district.

The Centre’s mission remains steadfast: to promote Serbian culture in all its facets—visual arts, music, literature, film, and language. A founding member of the Foreign Cultural Institutes Forum in Paris (FICEP), it participates in major events such as Jazzycolors, the Week of Foreign Cultures, Museums Night, and the Fête de la Musique.

The building includes exhibition spaces on multiple levels, a sizeable library housing about 9,000 French‑ and Serbian‑language titles, a conference room, and administrative offices. Programming spans exhibitions by emerging and established artists, concerts, film screenings, literary evenings, conferences, and free Serbian language classes for children taught by a team of twelve educators serving greater Paris and other regions.

The atmosphere is both welcoming and intellectually enriching—ideal for curious locals, Francophone spectators, and Serbian diaspora visitors seeking cultural connection. Over the years, the Centre has exhibited acclaimed Serbian artists and figures such as Vladimir Veličković, Ljuba Popović, Emir Kusturica, Goran Bregović and writer Milovan Danojlić.

An interesting detail: early leadership under Alexandar Prlja helped shape the Centre into a key cultural ambassador between nations during its formative years. Since 2017, under the direction of director Radoslav Pavlović, programming has maintained a balance between contemporary creativity and cultural heritage.

Practical info: open Tuesday to Saturday, 11:30 AM to 7:30 PM, with free admission to most exhibits and events unless specified. The Centre is conveniently located near Rambuteau (line 11) and Châtelet‑Les Halles (lines 1, 4, 7, RER A/B/D), with multiple bus options.

This centre offers an immersive cultural journey—linger over an exhibit, attend a lecture followed by research in the library, or join a language workshop. It is simultaneously institutional, welcoming and dynamic—true to its intercultural mission.