Located in the heart of Paris, facing the Louvre Museum and the Place du Palais-Royal, the historic Louvre Saint-Honoré building—constructed in the mid-19th century to house the Grands Magasins du Louvre and later transformed in the 1970s into the Louvre des Antiquaires—is undergoing an ambitious redevelopment project to host the Fondation Cartier in a new 16,000 m² space.

Designed by Ateliers Jean Nouvel, the project follows a dual ambition: to preserve the building’s heritage character (Haussmann-style façades, the layout, and the arcades of Rue de Rivoli), while transforming it into an open, bright, and distinctly contemporary space.

The structure of the building is maintained and adapted for its new purposes:

• Under the arcades, large glass openings nearly 6.5 meters high redefine the relationship between the interior and public space, while respecting the architectural composition of Rue de Rivoli.
• Stainless steel frames blend seamlessly into the Saint-Maximin stone recesses, highlighting the large glass panels.
• On Rue Saint-Honoré, a glass and stainless steel canopy creates an elegant, protective transition to the public space. The extra-clear inclined glass panels are suspended from a minimalist structure to reduce the visual impact of the supporting elements while discreetly integrating the rainwater drainage system.
• In the inner courtyards, new skylights rest between large hanging planters with trees. Movable blackout panels allow the modulation of light according to museographic needs.
• Monumental sliding glass doors directly connect the building’s ground floor with the Place du Palais-Royal.

This project continues the site’s long history of transformation and opens a new chapter for the Fondation Cartier, following its era on Boulevard Raspail. It combines contemporary elegance with respect for Parisian heritage, offering a new emblematic setting dedicated to creativity and culture.