PARIS
CAPITAL OF DESIGN

Paris doesn’t just settle for being a museum city; it is a living laboratory of creation. From trade fairs to rehabilitated industrial wastelands, the French capital affirms its status as a global crossroads of design.

Major Events

It is impossible to talk about design without mentioning Maison&Objet, the essential fair held twice a year in Villepinte, a true barometer of global trends. In the city, Paris Déco Off brings together fabric publishers and international creators in a more intimate atmosphere.

On the institutional side, Le French Design by VIA (120 avenue Ledru-Rollin) has played a key role for over 40 years. An exchange platform and exhibition gallery, the VIA promotes innovation and propels young French talents internationally.

Urban Cultures: L’Aérosol Saint-Denis

The future is also being written in the north of Paris. By 2028, Seine-Saint-Denis will host “L’Aérosol Saint-Denis”, a major museum dedicated to street art and hip-hop. Installed in the “Cathedrals of the rail”, former railway halls of 8,400 sqm classified as historical monuments, this project promises to become the new reference for urban cultures in the Île-de-France region.

Galleries and Publishers: The Selection

Paris is full of places celebrating historical and contemporary design. Here are some must-visit addresses:

• Galerie Pascal Cuisinier: The specialist in French design from 1950-1961 (Guariche, Motte, Paulin).
• Galerie Kreo: A research laboratory dedicated to limited edition contemporary pieces.
• Galerie Perrotin: Founded in 1990, a global reference for contemporary art and design.
• Galerie Laffanour – Downtown: For historical masters like Charlotte Perriand and Jean Prouvé.
• And also: Galerie Pradier-Jeauneau, Maria Wettergren, Mouvements Modernes, Gastou, Pulp Galerie…

Le 19M: Temple of Art Professions

In the 19th arrondissement, Le 19M is a unique place created on the initiative of the Maison Chanel. It brings together twelve art houses and 700 artisans of excellence. More than a workshop, it is a space of transmission with a gallery open to all, celebrating the gesture and the hand.

Reference Museums

Two giants share the spotlight. The Musée des Arts Décoratifs (MAD), facing the Tuileries, covers the history of furniture and fashion. The Centre Pompidou houses, via the Industrial Creation Center (CCI), one of the largest collections of modern and contemporary design in the world (more than 10,000 works), from Sottsass to Starck via the Bauhaus.

Academic Excellence

Finally, Paris is a globally recognized training ground thanks to its prestigious schools:

• École Boulle: The historical reference (since 1886) for arts and crafts and cabinetmaking.
• ENSCI – Les Ateliers: Created in 1983, the only national higher education school exclusively dedicated to industrial creation and design.
• ENSAD (Arts Déco): Nearly 250 years of history to train the “transformers of tomorrow’s world”.
• École Duperré: Excellence in fashion and textiles.
• École Estienne: The temple of graphic design and typography.
• And also: Ensaama Olivier de Serres, Camondo, L’École Bleue, Parsons Paris…