Paris’s Musée du Quai Branly – Jacques Chirac has been honoring indigenous art and non-Western civilisations since its opening in 2006. The aim of the museum is to encourage inter-cultural dialogue and underline the importance of non-Western art and heritage.
Seated on the banks of the Seine, the Quai Branly houses a number of permanent exhibitions showcasing the defining artworks of African, American, Asian and Oceanic cultures.
A Diverse Museum
The museum itself is made up of three sections:
• Musical instruments collection;
•Textile collections - including more than 25,000 pieces (267,417 to be exact);
• Historical collections (linked to global exploration and the history of French colonialism).
Designed by Jean Nouvel, the building's architecture leaves its visitors speechless. Enjoy a contemporary environment, which champions a green-feel with luxurious natural elements (including living plants) mixed with modern construction elements, forming a sharp contrast with the bustle of Parisian life.
Looking for a green space in the city center? A real haven located just by the Eiffel Tower, the museum has a long footbridge - built partly of wood - which winds through 36,000 m2 of wild gardens.
Of Glass and Greenery
A 200 m long (and 12m high) glass wall marks the entrance to the museum from the Seine.
Along this glass facade, the botanist Patrick Blanc created 800m² of living wall covered with plants that are sure to delight any botanical enthusiasts. There is a surprising array of greenery from China, Japan, the United States and Central Europe.
Garden-Museum
Beyond the glass wall, enter the 2 hectare garden where valleys and trails meander underneath hanging "boxes" that host a variety of exhibitions.
Inside the museum there are large reserves open to researchers, a multimedia library, classrooms, conference rooms and a theatre which opens onto the "green amphitheatre" in the summer.
Address
Musée du quai Branly
37 Quai Branly 75007 Paris