59 Rivoli

Overview

59 Rivoli is Paris's most legendary legal squat turned official artist collective, housed in a former Crédit Lyonnais building on Rue de Rivoli. Since 1999, when three artists illegally occupied the abandoned premises, it has grown into one of the most vibrant and freely accessible contemporary art spaces in the city.

Highlights

• The Staircase: A spiraling central staircase spanning all six floors, entirely covered in murals, stickers, and layered street art — a visual overload in the best possible way.
• Open Studios: Wander freely into the active workspaces of over 30 artists in residence and engage with them directly about their work.
• Free Concerts: Every Saturday and Sunday at 6 pm (September through June), the ground floor hosts live performances ranging from experimental music to poetry.

History

After Crédit Lyonnais abandoned the building, a group of artists known as KGB (Kalex, Gaspard, and Bruno) squatted it in 1999. By 2001, it was drawing 40,000 visitors a year, becoming the third most visited contemporary art center in Paris. The city of Paris acquired the building in 2006 and, after renovation, reopened it in 2009 as an officially sanctioned collective — dubbed the "AfterSquat."

Visitor Tips

• The building is easy to miss from the street; look for the colorful facade standing out among the elegant stone buildings near the Louvre.
• Don't just visit the ground floor gallery — the upper studios are where the real magic happens.
• Come on a weekend evening for the free concerts and to catch the most artists in their studios.