Maison Européenne de la Photographie

Overview

The Maison Européenne de la Photographie (MEP) is one of Europe's foremost institutions dedicated to contemporary photography, housed in the elegantly restored 18th-century Hôtel Hénault de Cantobre in the Marais. Its collection of over 20,000 works spans silver gelatin prints to digital photography and video art.

Highlights

• Collection: More than 20,000 photographs and artist videos, focusing on work from the second half of the 20th century to the present day.
• Library: A specialist library of 24,000 volumes including rare editions, artists' books, and theoretical works on photography — open to researchers and enthusiasts alike.
• Architecture: The seamless integration of an 18th-century mansion with a contemporary wing by architect Yves Lion, complete with vaulted cellars housing the café.

History

The MEP was founded in 1978 on the initiative of journalist Henry Chapier under then-mayor Jacques Chirac, and officially inaugurated in February 1996 following the restoration and expansion of the historic building. It hosts three to four major exhibition cycles annually and has established itself as a reference institution for photographic art in Europe.

Visitor Tips

• The vaulted café in the 18th-century cellar is one of the most atmospheric spots in the Marais for a coffee.
• The MEP is often less crowded than other Marais institutions — a genuine discovery even for regular Paris visitors.
• Combine with a walk through the nearby Place des Vosges and Village Saint-Paul.