The Fondation Louis Vuitton is a contemporary art museum on the edge of the Bois de Boulogne in western Paris, housed in a building by Frank Gehry that looks like a ship under glass sails. It opened in 2014 and has become one of the city's most talked about exhibition venues, known for large shows of modern and contemporary art. Even people who come mainly for the architecture tend to leave impressed.
Why visit the Fondation Louis Vuitton
The museum is funded by the LVMH group and run as a private foundation. It has its own collection of contemporary art, but the main draw is usually the temporary exhibitions, which range from twentieth century masters to living artists and often bring together loans that are rarely seen in one place. Exhibitions change through the year, so the experience depends a lot on when you go.
The building is a large part of the appeal. Gehry wrapped the concrete gallery blocks, known as the icebergs, in twelve curved glass sails. Walk out onto the roof terraces for close views of the structure and long views over the Bois de Boulogne toward La Défense and central Paris.
How to get to the Fondation Louis Vuitton by metro
The nearest station is Les Sablons on Line 1, which is handy because Line 1 runs directly from the Louvre, Concorde, the Champs-Elysees and Charles de Gaulle Étoile. From the station, follow the signs toward the Jardin d'Acclimatation and the Fondation. The walk takes roughly fifteen minutes along the edge of the park.
The Fondation has also run its own shuttle bus from near the Arc de Triomphe, which some visitors find easier. Check whether it is operating and how to book on the official website before you rely on it.
Fondation Louis Vuitton tickets and opening hours
Entry is paid, and tickets are sold for timed slots. Booking online in advance is strongly recommended, because popular exhibitions sell out, especially at weekends and in the final weeks of a show. Ticket prices and opening days vary with the exhibition programme, and the building closes for a period between shows while new work is installed. Check the official website, fondationlouisvuitton.fr, for current exhibitions, hours and prices, including any reduced rates.
A ticket to the Fondation has in the past included access to the neighbouring Jardin d'Acclimatation amusement park, but conditions change, so confirm before you go if that matters to you.
Highlights of a visit
The galleries
The galleries vary from large top-lit halls to more intimate rooms, and the hang is usually generous, giving major works plenty of space. Expect to move between several floors.
The roof terraces
The terraces are one of the best parts of the visit. You walk between the glass sails and can see how the building fits together, with views over the trees of the Bois de Boulogne.
The Grotto and water features
At the lower level, a cascade of steps of water runs alongside the building, and a permanent installation sits in the grotto below. On a sunny day the reflections are part of the show.
Tips for your visit
Check what is on before you go, as the experience depends heavily on the current exhibition. Large shows can fill most of the building, while at other times part of the permanent collection is on display. There is a restaurant on site, but it can be busy at lunchtime, so consider eating in Neuilly or bringing a snack for the park afterwards.
Bring a light jacket for the roof terraces, which can be windy, and save the terraces for the end of your visit when the light is softer in the late afternoon.
Best time to visit and how long
Weekday mornings are the quietest, and the first weeks of a new exhibition are usually less crowded than its final days. Allow two to three hours to see an exhibition properly and spend time on the terraces. Sunny days are best for the architecture and views.
Nearby on the same stop
- Jardin d'Acclimatation: a historic children's amusement park and garden right next to the Fondation.
- Bois de Boulogne: the large wooded park on the western edge of the city, with lakes and walking paths.
- Neuilly-sur-Seine: the quiet, leafy town around Les Sablons station, with cafes for lunch.
Find more ideas around Les Sablons on the Fondation Louis Vuitton page, or browse the Paris guide by metro station.