The largest non-collecting contemporary art museum in Europe

Science · Published 20 October 2026 · Updated 21 October 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: Unlike traditional museums that preserve the past, the Palais de Tokyo is designed to manufacture the future. It operates without a permanent collection, focusing instead on the ephemeral, the experimental, and the emerging. It is a laboratory for creation rather than a warehouse for history.

Located in the 16th arrondissement of Paris, the Palais de Tokyo is a split entity. While its eastern wing houses the Musée d'Art Moderne de Paris, its western wing—owned by the French state—serves as the Site de création contemporaine. Since its launch in March 2002 by Nicolas Bourriaud and Jérôme Sans, this space has functioned as a trendsetter for the international art scene, specializing in works that are often temporary and experimental.

The building's history is one of constant reinvention. Originally inaugurated by President Lebrun on May 24, 1937, as the Palais des Musées d'art moderne, it has hosted a rotating cast of cultural institutions, including the Palais du cinéma and the Centre national de la photographie. A major architectural evolution occurred in 2012, when Pritzker Prize winners Anne Lacaton and Jean-Philippe Vassal oversaw an overhaul and expansion of the site.

The museum's methodology is rooted in production. It produces all of its own exhibitions and has fostered a significant ecosystem of creators. For instance, the 'Pavillon' program ran from 2001 to 2017, acting as a studio and laboratory for over 130 international artists. This commitment to the 'process' of art extends to its publications, such as the magazine Palais /, which explores conceptual themes through various media, and a five-volume encyclopedia titled From Yodeling to Quantum Physics released between 2007 and 2011.

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