While Paris already boasts an impressive collection of museums—over 130 within the city limits—there’s apparently still room for exciting new projects like a dedicated museum celebrating Hector Guimard. This renowned architect from the early 20th century is famous for designing those beautiful Parisian metro entrances from his era, and is widely regarded as France’s most important representative of the Art Nouveau movement. Certainly worthy of its own museum.
Opening Early 2028
Come January 2028, the French capital will welcome a museum dedicated to Hector Guimard and Art Nouveau in general. The museum will be housed in one of the architect’s own creations—the Mezzara mansion at 60 rue de la Fontaine in the 16th arrondissement.
This will complement the existing École de Nancy Museum in Nancy, which remains one of France’s few public spaces devoted to Art Nouveau. Also housed in a beautiful early 1900s mansion, it showcases furniture, drawings, posters, glasswork, ceramics, and other masterpieces by major figures of the movement like Émile Gallé and Louis Majorelle.
What Is Art Nouveau?
Art Nouveau was an artistic movement that emerged in the late 19th century, characterized by curved lines, arabesques, natural forms, feminine imagery, vibrant colors, and ornamentation inspired by trees, flowers, insects, and other wildlife.
Quickly gaining international recognition, the movement influenced architecture, painting, furniture, decorative arts, and numerous other fields worldwide. Several major names emerged from this movement, including Catalonian Antoni Gaudí (world-famous for Barcelona’s Sagrada Família), Belgian architect Victor Horta, Nancy-based furniture designer Louis Majorelle, France’s own Hector Guimard (who left us those gorgeous Parisian metro entrances), Austrian painter Gustav Klimt, American Louis Comfort Tiffany (celebrated for his magnificent stained glass works), and Czech artist Alphonse Mucha (known for his stunning posters).
Despite all these great names and countless creations, Art Nouveau was fairly quickly replaced after World War I by other styles, most notably what we call Art Deco.
Who Was Hector Guimard?
For many, Hector Guimard (1867-1942) remains the defining figure of Art Nouveau in France, forever associated with those magnificent Parisian metro entrances, often nicknamed “dragonflies.”
His distinctive style featured curved, dynamic lines heavily inspired by nature—a complete departure from the classical architecture of his time. Though the man’s work extended far beyond architecture, as he also created furniture and designed various objects, aiming to achieve total harmony between the exterior and interior of his creations.
Hello! I’m Ben Fischer, a travel enthusiast who has journeyed far and wide to bring you unique and inspiring stories. Each destination is a new adventure for me, a chance to explore diverse cultures and share unforgettable experiences.
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