Fondation Henri Cartier-Bresson Opens New Paris Space in Marais

The Fondation Henri Cartier-Bresson has relocated to a new, larger venue at 79 rue des Archives in the Marais district of Paris. Designed by architecture firm Novo, the space doubles the exhibition area compared to the former Montparnasse location, consolidates archives into a single room, and adds a public research library with improved accessibility for children and visitors with reduced mobility. Henri Cartier-Bresson, often called the 'eye of the century' and a founder of Magnum Photos in 1947, is renowned for his photojournalism and the concept of the 'decisive moment,' articulated in his 1953 book. The inaugural exhibition in the new space is dedicated to Martine Franck, Cartier-Bresson's partner, offering the first comprehensive survey of her photographic work. Born in Belgium to an art-collecting family, Franck studied art history and photography in Paris, co-founded the VU and Viva photo agencies and the Théâtre du Soleil with Ariane Mnouchkine, and later joined Magnum. The show features prints, books, and documents from the foundation's holdings, highlighting her portraits, dreamlike landscapes, and political chronicles.