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Paris Artist Foundations: Dubuffet and Cartier-Bresson to Open New Spaces

institutional · 2026-05-04

Two major artist foundations in Paris are set to open new exhibition spaces, joining the recently inaugurated Giacometti Institute. The Fondation Jean Dubuffet, founded by the artist himself in 1973, is renovating its Paris premises in the 6th arrondissement to host permanent works and temporary exhibitions, with an opening scheduled after summer 2018. The Fondation Henri Cartier-Bresson is moving from its historic site in the 14th arrondissement to a larger 900-square-meter space in the Marais district, near the Centre Pompidou and Picasso Museum. Designed by architecture firm Ludovic Lobjois and interior design studio Novo, the new venue will include galleries, cultural mediation programs, and conference spaces. The opening is set for October 17, 2018, during FIAC week. Meanwhile, the Giacometti Institute, which opened on June 26, 2018, in Montparnasse, features 60 plaster and bronze sculptures, a permanent reconstruction of Giacometti's studio, and an archive of 5,000 drawings, lithographs, and notebooks. Directed by Catherine Grenier, the institute occupies a 350-square-meter Art Deco building redesigned by architect Pascal Grasso and is accessible by appointment only.

Key facts

  • Fondation Jean Dubuffet is renovating its Paris space in the 6th arrondissement to add permanent collection and temporary exhibitions.
  • Fondation Henri Cartier-Bresson is moving to a 900-square-meter space in the Marais, opening October 17, 2018, during FIAC.
  • Giacometti Institute opened June 26, 2018, in Montparnasse with 60 sculptures and a reconstructed studio.
  • Giacometti Institute houses 5,000 drawings, lithographs, and notebooks in its archive.
  • Catherine Grenier has directed the Fondation Giacometti since 2014 and also directs the Institute.
  • Fondation Jean Dubuffet was created by the artist in 1973 and holds over 1,000 works and 14,000 photographs.
  • Fondation Henri Cartier-Bresson was founded by the artist, his wife Martine Franck, and daughter Mélanie, opening in 2003.
  • The new Cartier-Bresson space is designed by Ludovic Lobjois architecture studio and Novo interior design.

Entities

Artists

  • Alberto Giacometti
  • Jean Dubuffet
  • Henri Cartier-Bresson
  • Martine Franck
  • Mélanie Cartier-Bresson
  • Annette Giacometti
  • Robert Doisneau
  • Pascal Grasso
  • Catherine Grenier
  • Ludovic Lobjois

Institutions

  • Fondation Jean Dubuffet
  • Fondation Henri Cartier-Bresson
  • Giacometti Institute
  • Fondation Giacometti
  • Centre Pompidou
  • Picasso Museum
  • FIAC
  • Artribune

Locations

  • Paris
  • France
  • Montparnasse
  • 6th arrondissement
  • 14th arrondissement
  • Marais
  • rue des Archives
  • Périgny-sur-Yerres
  • Île-de-France
  • Le Havre
  • Borgonovo di Stampa
  • Coira
  • Chanteloup-en-Brie
  • L’Isle-sur-la-Sorgue
  • Switzerland

Sources