The Bourse de Commerce- Pinault Collection Opens This Month

The Bourse de Commerce – Pinault Collection opens its doors to the public on Saturday, May 22.

President Macron announced that museums, theaters, and cinemas, shuttered since October 2020, are open from May 19 as part of the country’s phased reopening.

Part of the newly redesigned Les Halles district, La Bourse de Commerce – Pinault Collection, located in what was formerly the Commodities Exchange (circa 1767, for the trade of corn, grains and other commodities), is now home to the awesome contemporary art collection of François Pinault, the French luxury goods billionaire businessman.

Restored and transformed by the Japanese architect Tadao Ando, the museum was originally scheduled to open last summer. Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, however, the opening has been postponed four times!

Overseen by Jean-Jacques Aillagon, special advisor to François Pinault, and directed by Managing Director Martin Bethenod, the Bourse de Commerce – Pinault Collection is tipped to be the city’s major cultural highlight of 2021.

The Bourse de Commerce – Pinault Collection takes its place among the fascinating network of places and initiatives (like the Palazzo Grassi and Punta Della Dogana, Venice) created by François Pinault, showcasing pieces lovingly garnered for more than 40 years. The collection of more than 10,000 works include paintings, sculptures, videos, photographs, audio works, installations and performances.

With an independent entrance, located on the third floor, beneath the magnificent cupola, the Café-Restaurant Halle aux Grains is certainly set to become a foodie destination – with the usual Pinault flair and attention to detail. Michel and Sébastien Bras, the father and son chef duo from Laguiole in the Auvergne region, will send out their unique contemporary spins on organic grains (including corn, cereals, chia, pulses, buckwheat…) Wheatgerm soufflé, anyone ?

To the inside of the building, tables offer views of the original murals of the five continents in a setting refreshingly brought to life by architect Tadao Ando. The outward view stretches over the church of Saint-Eustache, Les Halles, and the Centre Pompidou to the Paris rooftops beyond.

Need to Know:

Though theaters and cinemas must restrict capacity to 800, no such restrictions are placed on museums. Among museums confirmed to be opening May 19 are Musée d’Orsay, Musée du Quai Branly-Jacques Chirac, and Musée des Arts Décoratifs.

Starting June 9, cultural venues will be able to host up to 5,000 visitors who must prove that they are vaccinated against Covid-19 or that they have recently tested negative for the virus. Indoor or outdoor events hosting 1,000 people or more will be allowed as of June 30- access with a health pass.

Several other French museums have delayed their exhibition openings, including the Musée Marmottan Monet and the “104” Contemporary Art Centre. The Musée Rodin and Musée Picasso Paris will be crossing their fingers that their joint blockbuster exhibition Picasso-Rodin, juxtaposing Rodin’s sculptures with Picasso’s paintings, will open soon.

To celebrate this exceptional event, admission is free for all at the Bourse de Commerce, by reservation, from 22nd – 24th May. Here’s an invitation to come and discover an iconic sympathetically restored building – with an eclectic program of exhibitions and planned events – revitalized and transformed into a museum dedicated to the finest contemporary art.

DETAILS:
Bourse de Commerce- Pinault Collection
2, rue de Viarnes, 1st
Tel: +33 (0)1 55 04 60 60
Metro: Bourse
Full price ticket: €14
Open Monday to Sunday from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Late opening Fridays until 9 p.m.
Late opening and free access on the first Saturday of the month from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Closed Tuesdays and on May the 1st.