World's largest Giacometti collection to be housed in 2026 at former Air France headquarters

The Giacometti Foundation will permanently establish the world’s largest collection of Alberto Giacometti (Borgonovo di Stampa, 1901 - Chur, 1966) in Paris in 2026, bringing together nearly ten thousand works, most of which are not currently accessible to the public. A selection of several hundred works by the Swiss artist, including plaster and bronze sculptures, paintings, drawings, and decorative art objects, will thus be on permanent view.

In fact, in 2026, the Giacometti Foundation will take over the historic building of the former des Invalides station (former headquarters of Air France) and the basement of the esplanade to form the Musée & École Giacometti, a new model institution with a museum where the permanent collection can be displayed, exhibition spaces for temporary events, and a creative school for all. A 6,000-square-meter space in the heart of Paris to bring together the public, artists and diverse creative expressions.

Constructed for the 1900 World’s Fair, the building and its basement will be completely renovated: architect Dominique Perrault, in collaboration with historical architect Pierre-Antoine Gatier and landscape architect Louis Benech, will be in charge of this intervention. The Emerige company will lead the development operations of this museum model, in collaboration with the company Nexity, co-winner of the project. In fact, the project is part of the Parisian program Reinventing Paris 2: Esplanade des Invalides.

Visitors will have the opportunity to learn about and explore the artist’s creative process in Giacometti’s studio, and several exhibition rooms will also host a program open to other contemporary artists. The School, associated with the Museum, will be based on the spirit of study and creativity, and will cross the boundaries between fine arts, applied arts and crafts, professional practice and amateur practice. The offerings will be enriched by a broad cultural program and research and teaching activities of the Foundation, particularly the School of Modernity and the Giacometti Lab.

Image: the future Musée & École Giacometti, Paris. Credit Luc Castel

World's largest Giacometti collection to be housed in 2026 at former Air France headquarters

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