Albert Kahn Museum by Kengo Kuma Opens in Paris Suburb

The Musée Départemental Albert Kahn in Boulogne-Billancourt, near Paris, has reopened after a six-year renovation and expansion designed by Japanese architect Kengo Kuma. The project, initiated by the Hauts-de-Seine department, cost €60 million for restoration and new construction, €1.4 million for scenography, and €400,000 for the inaugural exhibition "Autour du Monde." The new 2,300-square-meter building houses the "Archives de la Planète," a vast visual inventory of over 50 countries created between 1909 and 1931 by banker and philanthropist Albert Kahn (1860–1940). The collection includes 72,000 Autochrome images, 4,000 stereoscopic photos, and 180,000 meters of film. The permanent exhibition spans about 1,000 square meters across multiple buildings, featuring a "wall-inventory" of over 2,000 backlit images. Kahn employed a dozen photographers and filmmakers to document daily life, rituals, and events worldwide. Scientific director Jean Brunhes (1869–1930), a founder of human geography, oversaw the project from 1912. The museum also includes restored garden buildings like the Cabinet de projection and Salle des plaques, where Autochrome plates were stored. A family salon and a restaurant (opening late 2022) are part of the new facility. The museum aims to democratize access and engage broader audiences.