Do not be fooled by the name as this is not a jewelry shop, but a full-fledged modern art gallery. A French trail blazer for corporate sponsorships in the arts, the Cartier foundation was inaugurated in 1984 with a mission to support young artists worldwide.

The foundation prides itself on the freedom it allows to artists to experiment and create, commissioning a great number of works and hosting at least 5 exhibitions each season. In its collection are more than 1000 works by 300 artists.

The steel and glass structure of the Cartier Foundation contains 12000 square feet ( 1200 sq meters) of transformable exhibition space, the design is by Jean Nouvel, also credited with  Musée du Quai Branly & Institut du Monde Arabe.

It is adorned by one of Patrick Blanc’s famous hanging gardens and the Lebanese cedar tree it contains in the center dates back to 1823 when it was originally planted by the famous french author Chateaubriand. A medieval medicinal garden extends in the back and makes for a beautiful and serene piece of nature just off the busy boulevard.

33 01 42 18 56 50
261, boulevard Raspail, 75014
M: Raspail, Denfert-Rochereau
Open: Tuesday- Sunday, 11 h – 20 h (Tuesdays until 22 h)
Entrance fee : 6,50 €,  free for children under 10
http://fondation.cartier.com

33 1 47 83 21 35
3 rue Mayet, 75006
http://www.mayet.com
95 to 160 euros
M: Duroc
23 rooms;
Funky;