The Cartier Foundation for Contemporary Art has opened a spectacular new chapter in its 40-year history, leaving behind its iconic glass building on Boulevard Raspail to establish a massive new presence in the heart of Paris. Located just steps from the Louvre and Palais-Royal, the foundation's new space represents a major cultural event and signals a transformation of the artistic ecosystem in one of the city's most prestigious districts.

The foundation has relocated from its emblematic address in the 14th arrondissement, where it was housed in a distinctive glass building surrounded by greenery, to a historic site near some of Paris's most important cultural institutions. The new location places the foundation in direct proximity to the Louvre, Palais-Royal, and just a short distance from the Ministry of Culture on Rue de Valois and the Bourse de Commerce - Pinault Collection.

Architect Jean Nouvel, who designed the foundation's previous Boulevard Raspail building, was chosen to transform the historic 150-meter-long structure. The building, originally constructed in 1855 for the Universal Exhibition, has a storied past as the former home of the Grands Magasins du Louvre department store and later the Louvre des Antiquaires antique market from 1978 onward. For years, the surrounding streets of Rivoli and Saint-Honoré echoed with the sounds of jackhammers and construction equipment as Nouvel completely reimagined the interior spaces.

The architect preserved the building's noble stone facade while installing large bay windows to create transparency throughout the structure. However, he completely gutted the interior maze of floors and stalls to restore the original volumes. The transformed space now features 8,500 square meters organized around a vast central void, equipped with five mobile platforms of 1,200 square meters each. This innovative design allows for countless configurations, with the platforms able to be reconfigured for each new project and exhibition.

To inaugurate this monumental new space, the Cartier Foundation is presenting a comprehensive 'best of' exhibition showcasing highlights from four decades of collecting. The exhibition, titled 'General Exhibition,' features works by notable artists including Alessandro Mendini, Richard Artschwager, Peter Halley, and architectural works by Junya Ishigami Architects. This inaugural show serves as both a celebration of the foundation's history and a preview of its future ambitions in its new central Paris location.

The foundation's move represents more than just a change of address—it signals a significant shift in Paris's contemporary art landscape. The area is increasingly attracting galleries and cultural institutions, suggesting a broader transformation of the neighborhood's artistic ecosystem. With its new location in the cultural heart of Paris and its dramatically expanded and flexible exhibition space, the Cartier Foundation is positioned to play an even more prominent role in the international contemporary art scene.