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Bucket list experience:

External view of the modern building of the Louis Vuitton Foundation

© Gehry Partners, LLP and Frank O. Gehry. Photo Iwan Baan 2014

Last updated: 20 November, 2022
Expert travel writer: Anna Brooke

The Fondation Louis Vuitton’s building is an attraction in itself – a wacky, silver structure in the middle of Bois de Boulogne (built by Frank Gehry), with futuristic-looking glass sails, clever lighting and whimsical, sunken water features.

Inside, you’ll find a cutting-edge exhibition space that promotes both contemporary and historical art via ever-changing shows and music concerts. What you see will depend on when you go, but more recent exhibitions have included Monet and Basquiat.

Feasting your eyes is hungry work, so there’s a chic restaurant too, serving contemporary French cuisine! And even an excellent bookshop about art and architecture.

While you're there

The museum’s restaurant, Le Frank, is run by acclaimed chef, Jean-Louis Nomicos and serves modern French cuisine in a quirky space with hanging fish lamps – worth booking in for lunch.

Your ticket gives you free entry to the Jardin d’Acclimatation next door – a family theme park in the Bois de Boulogne, with fairground rides, rollercoasters and a petting zoo.

Recommended itineraries by our writers that include this experience

Price from: £16
Minimum age: Any
Age suitable: 18+
When: All year around

Getting there & doing it

Take metro line 1 to Les Sablons station, or there’s a shuttle service direct to the museum from 44 Avenue de Friedland.

As with all of Paris’ big attractions, you should pre-book your tickets via the Fondation Louis Vuitton’s website.

When to do it

The museum is open all year round, Wednesday to Monday. Closed Tuesday.

It will be busy all day, but Mondays, Wednesdays and lunchtimes are quietest.

Our writer’s picks of the best places to stay near this experience, closest first

Hotel Saint James Paris

Paris, Ile-de-France, France[1.3 miles]

Live out your country house fantasies at this delightfully eccentric, handsomely revamped chateau hotel in a smart western suburb of the city.

Official star rating:

Shangri-La Paris

Paris, Ile-de-France, France[2.6 miles]

Experience a truly imperial lifestyle in the former residence of Prince Roland Bonaparte (Napoleon’s great nephew), with unbeatable views of the Eiffel Tower.

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Hotel Le Royal Monceau Raffles

Paris, Ile-de-France, France[2.7 miles]

Soak up the buzz at design legend Philippe Starck’s gloriously decadent take on a grand palace hotel – in a very convenient location for seeing the sights.

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Le Bristol Paris

Paris, Ile-de-France, France[3.8 miles]

A legendary Paris grande dame hotel and altar to old-school opulence, at the historical heart of the city. 

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Destination guides including or relevant to this experience

Paris

Ile-de-France, France

Crammed with iconic buildings, world-class art and a culinary scene steeped in history, Paris is one of the world’s great capitals, overflowing with style, romance, and art de vivre. 

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Our writer’s recommendations of other bucket list experiences our writer says you must do in this destination, closest first

Marmottan-Monet Museum

Paris, Ile-de-France, France[1.9 miles]

The world’s largest collection of Monet’s paintings, displayed in a grand 19th-century mansion – including his world-famous ‘water lily’ canvases.

Best for ages: 13+ | £10

Arc de Triomphe

Paris, Ile-de-France , France[2.3 miles]

An ornate, 50m-high arch commissioned by Napoleon to honour fallen French soldiers. Now an iconic Paris landmark.

Best for ages: 13+ | Free

Eiffel Tower

Paris, Ile-de-France, United Kingdom (UK)[3 miles]

Gustave Eiffel’s eccentric, iron-clad tower built as a temporary exhibit for the World Fair in 1889, has views all over the city and has become iconic symbol of Paris.

Best for ages: 4+ | £23

Other worthwhile experiences near this experience if you have time or interest..

Moulin Rouge

Paris, Ile-de-France, France[5.1 miles]

A long-running, extravagant, colourful cabaret featuring dancers and courtesans has been thrilling Parisian audiences since 1889. See the incomparable Can Can – the enigmatic dance that’s its greatest claim to fame.

Best for ages: 10+ | £74 | 2-4 hours

A front view of the entrance to Dali museum. The museum name is displayed on a black shop banner and there is a squared window with artwork displayed
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Dali Paris

Paris, Ile-de-France, France[5.7 miles]

This museum in the Montmartre neighbourhood is dedicated to the surrealist Salvador Dali, displaying over 300 of his works. Dali lived and painted in Paris for many years.

Best for ages: 18+ | £8

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The front view of Stohrer on a street in Paris. The exterior of the shop is painted in navy with a dark blue parasol
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Stohrer

Paris, Ile-de-France, France[6.2 miles]

The birthplace of the rum baba in the 18th century, the city’s oldest patisserie still wows with its gateaux (cake) today.

Best for ages: 4+ | Free

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