Maison européenne de la photographie

The Maison Européenne de la Photographie MEP; European combine of photography, located in the historic heart of Paris, is a center for contemporary photographic art opened in February 1996.

Location in addition to activities

The Yves Lion firm of architects to follow the restoration of the original building, as living as the addition of a new flit on the Rue de Fourcy. The façade overlooking the street, the period ironwork as well as the central staircase are all examples of classical architecture.

It houses an exhibition center, a large library, an auditorium, and a video viewing facility with a wide option of films. The visitor can also enjoy the Café sited under the 18th century vaults and a specialized bookstore. The MEP is intentional to work the three essential photographic media exhibition prints, the printed page, and film easily accessible to all. It provides numerous commented visits, conferences and films cycles in explanation with the exhibitions. The Hotel houses a photographic restoration and conservation workshop too Atelier de Restauration et de Conservation des Photographies de la Ville de Paris, or ARCP. Since 1983 it has worked to preserve the photographic patrimony of the libraries, the archives and the museums of the Paris municipality, and it helps its services to other French or foreign institutions too.

The collection is dedicated to the contemporary creation. It owns about twenty thousands works of art, mostly photographs silver and digital photography and videos. The libraries gathers 24.000 volumes approximately photography, artists’ books as alive as technical or theoretical works, including rare editions. Three or four exhibition cycles are organized every year about artists, themes and movements which mainly belong to thehalf of the 20th century and the 21st century.

The Maison Européenne de la Photographie is directed since 1996 by Jean-Luc Monterosso Director and Henry Chapier President.