Most Beautiful Contemporary Buildings In Paris

While many equate Paris with traditional Haussmann buildings and Gothic wonders like the Notre Dame Cathedral, there is also a long, if not controversial, history of cutting edge architecture in Paris. Who can forget the Centre Pompidou, Grande Arche de la Défense or Pyramide du Louvre? Nonetheless, this love of bold architecture has recently resulted in some beautiful and innovative works. Here is our roundup of the city’s recent avant-garde architecture.

1. Fondation Louis Vuitton

Museum

October 27th, 2014 - ParisOPENING FONDATION LOUIS VUITTON.

The Fondation Louis Vuitton is part modern art museum and part architectural marvel. Designed by Frank Gehry and opened in 2014, the museum is located in the verdant and historic Jardin d’Acclimation. Its most striking features are the billowing glass panels that envelop its top, below which are numerous terraces that offer spectacular views of Paris. On the ground floor, you will find ‘Inside the Horizon’, Olafur Eliasson’s mesmerizing light and mirror installation. Visit the Fondation Louis Vuitton on a beautiful, sunny day and you risk spending the day discovering the architecture and forgetting about the artwork inside.

2. Philharmonie de Paris

Museum, Building, Concert Hall

Entrance of the Philharmonie de Paris concert halls complex

Designed by visionary French architect Jean Nouvel, the Philharmonie de Paris is much more than a concert hall. The exterior is partially comprised of more than 200,000 bird-shaped aluminum tiles in various shades of gray. To help visitors appreciate the beauty of the surrounding Parc de la Villette, the building is edged in winding ramps and capped with a massive rooftop picnic space. The interior walls of the main concert hall are entirely made of rounded edges with futuristic undulating balconies. Though its January 2015 opening was not without controversy, the Philharmonie de Paris is still a welcome cultural and architectural addition to the city.

3. Cité de La Mode et du Design

Building, Park, Museum

If you have transited through Paris’ Austerlitz train station recently, chances are you have seen the Cité de La Mode et du Design. The unabashedly green complex, completed in 2012 and designed by Jakob + MacFarlane, resembles a lightning bolt suspended precariously over the Seine. Once an industrial storage space, the Cité de La Mode et du Design is now a chic ‘city’ that houses a fashion institute, a trendy art museum and a popular rooftop bar. In the summer, the crevices and tunnels of the complex are converted into exhibition spaces and a skate park. The wooden, beach boardwalk-like walkways and graffiti covered concrete walls give this bold complex a unique ambience.

5. Islamic Art Wing at the Louvre

Museum, Building

While the last modern architectural addition to the Louvre, I.M. Pei’s pyramid, remains divisive, the equally avant-garde Islamic Art Wing has been warmly received since its opening in 2012. Designed by Italian architect Mario Bellini and French architect Rudy Ricciotti, the highlight of the building is its golden, undulating roof. Made of metal mesh, it looks as if a veil billowing in the wind became frozen in time. The lack of major pillars supporting the massive roof furthers the sensation that the structure is floating. Below is a three-story building, two of which are underground.

6. Halle Pajol

Building

Formerly an abandoned warehouse, Halle Pajol is now lauded as an example of urban transformation at its best. Renovated by Jourda architects and completed in 2014, the goal was to maintain the original look and feel of the area while creating an environmentally sustainable building. To achieve this, the designers kept the skeleton of the original warehouse but renovated it with energy efficient materials. The result is a modern and inviting complex that houses vibrant bars and eateries as well as a 330-bed youth hostel. More impressively, on the roof you will find the largest urban solar power station in France. This innovative building is part of a sweeping initiative to turn the up-and-coming neighborhood into the first Parisian eco-district.

7. EMI Music France Headquarters

Concert Hall

Architect Renzo Piano, one of the minds behind the Centre Pompidou, wanted to create a contemporary workplace with a convivial and creative vibe befitting of a music industry giant. The result, which opened in 2005, was a veritable village of low, terracotta-clad, pitch-roofed buildings set in a lush garden. The open interior and maximization of natural light gives the work space the feel of a loft-atelier rather than corporate offices. Now owned by Warner Music, the complex also features three recording studios and a concert hall for musical events.

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.