Top 10 Modern Architecture Gems in Paris

Top 10 Modern Architecture Gems in Paris

Updated by Molli, 19/11/2019

Paris is most well known for it’s iconic Haussmannian architecture. That’s thanks to a massive overhaul of the winding medieval streets, overcrowded tenement buildings and unhygienic living conditions that plagued the city in the late 19th century. Emperor Napoleon III commissioned his prefect at the time, Baron Haussmann, with the task. Thanks to this pair, Paris looks the way that it does today!

But, that doesn’t mean that there isn’t other types of architecture to admire in Paris! Le Marais is one of the only areas that has stuck to its medieval roots, and there is also some really cool modern architecture to be found.

Keep reading to discover the top 10 modern architecture gems in Paris!

1. Le Centre Pompidou

https://www.instagram.com/p/B1tN2RRizED/

This art museum was designed by architects Renzo Piano and Richard Rogers for an architectural design competition. The two architects wanted functional structural elements (such as electrical wires, pipes, etc.) to be outside the building.

This way, the inside could be fully used to expose art. Today, you could say that the building that houses the museum is a work of art itself!

Le Centre Pompidou should be on your list if you love contemporary art.

Practical information

Entry fee: 14 euros

Opening hours: Wednesday-Monday 11am-9pm, Thursday until 11pm, closed Tuesday

Address: Place Georges-Pompidou, 75004 Paris

Metro station: Rambuteau / Hôtel de Ville / Châtelet

Website

2. The headquarters of the French Communist Party

Interior of the Dome at Le Siège du Parti communiste français by Guilhem Vellut – WikiCommons

Le Siège du Parti communiste français (the headquarters of the French Communist party in English) is also known as the Espace Niemeyer. The structure is named after the Brazilian architect Oscar Niemeyer who is responsible for it’s design!

The building was completed in 1971 and construction on the Dome was completed in 1980. The building was named a Monument Historique (Historical Monument in English) in 2007, which means that it is a protected national heritage site!

Fun fact about the French Communist Party headquarters building: in 2013 a big part of the movie Blue Indigo (L’écume des jours in French), with Audrey Tautou and Romain Duris was shot in the building!

Practical information

Entry fee: You can take a guided tour of the headquarters upon appointment only via their website.

Opening hours: Monday-Saturday 10am-6:30pm, closed Sunday

Address: 2 Place du Colonel Fabien, 75019 Paris

Metro station: Colonel Fabien

Website

3. Hôtel Barrière Le Fouquet’s Paris

https://www.instagram.com/p/BlYNK4nAI7w/

In 2006, the architect Edouard François was tasked with renovating the luxurious Hotêl Barriere Le Fouquet.

He decided to recreate a typical Haussmannian facade in grey concrete. And so the architecture of this building is a mix of historical and contemporary design! The rooftop is the best place to admire this modern architecture gem.

Practical information

Entry fee: You can book a room by clicking here.

Opening hours: There are several bars and restaurants inside the hotel with varying hours. Click here to learn more!

Address: 46 Avenue George V, 75008 Paris

Metro station: George V

Website

4. Fondation Cartier pour l’art contemporain

Fondation Cartier Pour l’Art Contemporain by Jean-Pierre Dalbéra – WikiCommons

The architect Jean Nouvel designed this new building in 1994. Nouvel wanted to highlight and utilize transparency in the design, which he achieved through the high ceilings and glass walls!

If you’re interested in photography, paintings, design and sculpture, head to the Fondation Cartier. The foundation is funded by and named after the luxury jewellery design house Cartier.

The garden was designed by Lothar Baumgarten. Here, you can find 35 different types of trees inside of it.

Practical information

Entry fee: 10.50 euros-11 euros

Opening hours: Tuesday-Sunday 11am-8pm, Tuesday until 10pm

Address: 261 Boulevard Raspail, 75014 Paris

Metro station: Raspail

Website

5. Fondation Louis Vuitton

https://www.instagram.com/p/B5A-KRyIIPp/

The Fondation Louis Vuitton building was designed by architect Franck Gehry in 2014. Gehry is one of my favorite architects, and I absolutely love this museum for the building alone!

It is located in the Jardin d’Acclimatation, near near the Bois de Boulogne. It is made of concrete and features a glass roof. The building has been compared to a cloud, an iceberg and a ship, all of which I can understand!

In fact, the building is meant to outshine Fondation Pinault in Venise, which is also called Palazzo Grassi. With that in mind, you can clearly see the competiton between François Pinault and Bernard Arnault (the Chief Executive Officer of LVMH) in the luxury field.

Practical information

Entry fee: 16 euros

Opening hours: Wednesday-Monday 11am-8pm, Friday until 9pm

Address: 8 Avenue du Mahatma Gandhi, 75116 Paris

Metro station: Les Sablons

Website

6. Parc André-Citroën

Parc André-Citroën by Guilhem Vellut – WikiCommons

This park was designed by architects Patrick Berger, Jean-François Jodry and Jean-Paul Viguier. Ladscape artists Gilles Clément and Allain Provost also helped to create it!

It was opened in 1986 and it’s the best place in Paris to admire luxuriant vegetation and nice fountains. I used to live near this park, and I loved the large grassy areas, perfect for setting up camp on a sunny day.

Most of the parks in Paris tend to get pretty crowded during the warmer months, but I’ve never found that at the Parc André Citroën. I like to think of this as my secret oasis in Paris!

Practical information

Entry fee: Free

Opening hours: Monday-Friday 7am-8:30pm, Saturday-Sunday 8am-8:30pm. Hours may vary by season

Address: 2 Rue Cauchy, 75015 Paris

Metro station: Javel – André Citroën / Lourmel

7. Cité de la Mode et du Design

https://www.instagram.com/p/BnQ_91Khd1C/

The architect cabinet Jakob + Macfarlane built this massive building in 2008. The project started in the hopes of bringing contemporary style to this former industrial site.

The building has been the home of the Arts ludiques – Le Musée (Museum of Playful Arts) association since 2013. There are also restaurants, nightclubs and the IFM (Institut Français de la Mode) school inside!

An excellent view of the Seine River can be admired from the large green elevated terrace.

Practical information

Entry fee: Free

Opening hours: Every day 10am-12am, hours may vary by location, see website for details

Address: 34 Quai d’Austerlitz, 75013 Paris

Metro station: Quai de la Gare / Gare de Lyon

Website

8. Pyramide du Louvre

https://www.instagram.com/p/B1jAmNsCioE/

This is maybe the most famous gem on my list!

The pyramid was designed by the Chinese-American architect I. M. Pei and was inaugurated in 1989. The pyramid itself is made of metal and glass, and the French president François Mitterrand commissioned it.

Parisians did not like the pyramid when it was first installed. Today, it is well loved and is considered to be a symbol of the city!

Word on the street is that President Mitterrand had an affair Egyptian mistress, the famous singer Dalida. So maybe you can see the connexion between this Egyptian girl and the pyramid?

Practical information

Entry fee: Free to view the pyramid from outside

Opening hours: 24/7

Address: Rue de Rivoli, 75001 Paris

Metro station: Palais-Royal Musée du Louvre / Tuileries

9. Islamic Arts Wing, The Louvre

Cour Visconti at the Louvre by Tangopaso – WikiCommons

In the Musée du Louvre, you’ll find an entire department dedicated to the Islamic Arts in the cour Visconti.

The exhibition spaces are under a window with a wavy form. It’s composed of 1600 glass triangles. It was designed in 2012 by architects Rudy Ricciotti and Mario Bellini. They say the window reminds them of a wing of a dragonfly or a magic carpet! I can definitely see what they mean!

Practical information for visiting the Louvre

Entry fee: 15 euros-17 euros

Opening hours: Wednesday-Monday 9am-6pm, Wednesday & Friday until 9:45pm

Address: Rue de Rivoli, 75001 Paris

Metro station: Palais-Royal Musée du Louvre / Pyramides

Website

10. La Défense

La Défense as seen from the Arc de Triomphe by Ana Paula Hirama – WikiCommons

Okay, I’m cheating a bit for this last gem…but I promise it’s worth it!

La Défense, the Central Business District of Paris is composed of a lot of buildings that are master pieces of modern architecture.

The highest one is Tour First, with 23m high. There is also the famous Grande Arche de la Défense, the modern version of the Arc de Triomphe!

Practical information

Entry fee: Free

Opening hours: 24/7

Address

Metro station: La Défense

Website

Conclusion

And here is! It is the end of my top 10 gems of modern architecture in Paris! You now know all the main modern buildings of the capital city. I hope you will see have the chance to see a few (if not all!) of them in your Parisian trip, as they are much more impressive when it’s really in front of you!

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