Art and nature meld perfectly in the Fondation Louis Vuitton, perched like a graceful bird in Paris’ Bois de Boulogne. Dedicated to showcasing and promoting art, the museum designed by Frank Gehry is a masterpiece in and of itself. With a breathtaking permanent collection and temporary exhibitions—plus stunning recitals, performances, and events—the museum preserves modern and contemporary art in all its forms, immersing treasures and visitors alike in its refined beauty. One has only to step through the doors of the dazzling Fondation Louis Vuitton to fall under its spell.

Monet–Mitchell: A Thrilling Convergence

In staging an unprecedented conversation between painters Claude Monet and Joan Mitchell, the museum’s two temporary exhibitions reveal the unique, immersive perspectives of both extraordinary artists. “Claude Monet–Joan Mitchell, Dialogue” and “Joan Mitchell, Retrospective” (until February 27, 2023), gather over 100 iconic works spanning multiple floors of the museum—presenting two attuned perspectives of the same scene and Joan Mitchell’s most significant retrospective in 30 years. The result of prestigious partnerships with the Musée Marmottan Monet (“Claude Monet–Joan Mitchell, Dialogue”) and the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art and Baltimore Museum of Art (“Joan Mitchell, Retrospective”), the two exhibitions guide visitors through a captivating landscape, showcasing the remarkable visual and thematic correspondences between Monet’s famous water lilies and Mitchell’s abstract depiction of the lush aquatic plants. Strong, graceful echoes resound between the restoration of Monet’s motifs and their transposition through Mitchell’s memory, highlighting the sensitivity of these two great artists and their masterpieces. Stirring and touching, Monet–Mitchell is nothing less than the meeting of two masters of 20^th century art.

Claude Monet, Le jardin à Giverny, 1922-1926. Oil on canvas, 93 x 74 cm. Musée Marmottan Monet, Paris

An immersive, multisensory experience

Beyond its extraordinary temporary exhibitions, the Fondation Louis Vuitton occasions many constant delights and unforgettable memories, from architecture to art, performance to gastronomy. Architect Frank Gehry aimed to “design a magnificent vessel in Paris,” successfully creating an enchanting destination in a bold, innovative setting. With a permanent collection counting more than 100 internationally recognized artists, along with concerts, recitals, dance performances and workshops, the Fondation Louis Vuitton will whet your appetite for beauty—providing the perfect opportunity to dine at Le Frank and taste the marvels of Michelin-starred chef Jean-Louis Nomicos. From morning to evening, Le Frank revisits the classics of French cuisine with a dash of creativity and flavours influenced by the exhibitions, in an atmosphere that only adds to the restaurant’s refined fare. The evening service (by reservation only) is a perfect way to cap off a day of high art.

A World of Wonders

The Fondation Louis Vuitton has established itself as a Paris landmark. Showings from the Open Space creative program, extraordinary concerts, and other events are constantly being added to their marvel-packed calendar. The Fondation is worth the visit for the location alone. The Bois de Boulogne boasts 28 km of horseback riding trails and 15 km of foot trails, streams, ponds and the Grande Cascade waterfall, and has been delighting Parisians for more than two hundred years. The mirage-like museum is now a must for itineraries through the City of Light.

www.fondationlouisvuitton.fr

Writer: Alexandra Pastena

Cover photo: © Iwan Baan