A Visit to the Louis Vuitton Foundation: Everything You Need to Know

A Visit to the Louis Vuitton Foundation: Everything You Need to Know

Fashion is a cultural element for the French, so a lot of folks opt not to miss a visit to monuments such as the Louis Vuitton Foundation while in Paris. 

The foundation plays an important role in the fashion and art industries of the country, and it goes without saying that this household brand name has impacted people across the planet, whether consciously or even subconsciously. 

Make time for a visit to the Louis Vuitton Foundation while you’re in the French capital. Here’s everything you need to know:

PRACTICAL INFORMATION

OPENING HOURS: Monday TO Sunday – 9am to 8pm

ADDRESS:  8 Av. du Mahatma Gandhi, 75016 Paris, France

METRO STATION: Les Sablons

What is it?

Renowned for its futuristic architecture and whimsical location, the Louis Vuitton Foundation in Paris is a cultural center and small-scale art museum. While the foundation itself is sponsored by the LVMH group and its subsidiaries, it remains a fully independent entity and is in no way formally affiliated to the fashion brand by the same group. It’s difficult to wrap your head around, I know. 

Louis Vuitton Foundation – by Louis Vuitton Foundation – Sourced from their website

The foundation is essentially a gallery and exhibition space that spends their days supporting, showcasing and collaborating with different artists from around the world. LVMH’s CEO, Bernard Arnault, put it perfectly with his description of the initiative: 

“Promote creation in the present by adopting a position of openness and dialogue with artists, intellectuals, and the public. Astound visitors by offering a multifaceted activity that informs, exhibits and showcases the works of the 20th and 21st centuries in an exceptional space. Move and surprise the public by exhibiting artists’ work in an innovative building, a model of emblematic architecture (…)”.

10 Reasons to go to the Louis Vuitton Foundation in Paris

Where is it?

The famous foundation building is easily recognized during a short walk in the northern region of the Bois du Boulogne in Paris. Specifically, the foundation is housed within the Jardin d’Acclimatation: a part of the park dedicated to families and children. 

This is all found in the 16th arrondissement of Paris. You’ll see the building from a mile away, as it is very difficult to miss this steel structure that is designed to look like a real life sailing ship. 

Bois du Boulogne in Paris – by Fæ – Wikimedia Commons

Since you’re here already, I must recommend a stroll through the greater Bois du Boulogne, as this park is a tourist attraction in and of itself. The Bois de Boulogne is Paris’ western lung. Out of all the green spaces in the French capital, the Bois de Boulogne is the biggest, spanning an impressive 8.46km, which is 2.5 times the bigger than New York’s Central Park.

The park stretches throughout most of the 16th arrondissement, and part of the 17th. As a result, there is a lot to see and do when you’re in this part of town.

Since the Bois de Boulogne is open 24 hours a day, the surrounding attractions maintain a lively energy even in off season.

View from Foundation Louis Vuitton – by Jorn van Maanen – Wikimedia Commons

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What to Expect

This monument doesn’t cease to amaze from the outside inward. Just walking up to it, you’ll land in architectural wonder at the design ability of the Canadian architect who took on the task. His name was Frank O. Gehry, and he merged glass with steel in shapes that Paris had never before seen. 

Once inside, you’ll find 11 galleries, educational spaces, a fabulous concert hall, office blocks, a museum restaurant and curios shop. There is much to do and see once inside, and the museum operates on a system of temporary exhibitions, which means there is always something new to enjoy whether you leave weeks or years between your visits. 

Louis Vuitton Foundation – by Louis Vuitton Foundation – Sourced from their website

My recommendation? Always visit the foundation website prior to your arrival in Paris. There are often unique events, showcases, talks or screenings scheduled for specific days in the week, and you’ll kick yourself for not checking in advance and arriving a day early or late. Trust me, this is the kind of attraction that is worth pre-planning for. Don’t treat your visit as you would a trip to the Louvre or Orangerie Museums. 

Louis Vuitton Foundation – by Louis Vuitton Foundation – Sourced from their website

Reasons to Visit 

If supporting independent, small scale art centers isn’t reason enough, I’ll throw in a few more:

• • Any excuse to visit the Bois du Boulogne is a worthy one
  • A fantastic array of contemporary international art
  • Hundreds of pieces to view in a compact space
  • The “sails” of the building are comprised of 3,600 individual glass panels
  • There’s a grotto! That’s all I’m saying…
  • No queues (in Paris, this is a rarity)
  • Architectural inspiration 
  • The 16th arrondissement is a great neighborhood for food and adventures!
  • It costs just a few euros to get inside (also a rarity in Paris!)

Louis Vuitton Foundation – by Louis Vuitton Foundation – Sourced from their website