View from the museum window.
Museums

Pavillon de L’Arsenal

Location: France, Paris

Address: 21 Boulevard Morland, 75004, Paris

Building style: Neoclassicism

Website: pavillon-arsenal.com

Pavillon de LArsenal.
Pavillon de LArsenal.

The Parisian Pavillon de l’Arsenal is the center of architecture and urbanism. The museum building was built in 1878-1879 by order of the businessman Laurent-Louis Bornish. He made his fortune in the wood trade and was fond of painting. The building was intended for a public exhibition of his collection. The name of the pavilion comes from the nearby former monastery, which became an arsenal.

Arrival of Louis of Anjou in Paris beginning of the 15th century.
Arrival of Louis of Anjou in Paris beginning of the 15th century.
Plan of Paris ca. 1550.
Plan of Paris ca. 1550.

When Bornisch died, the building was sold and used as a warehouse, a restaurant, and later an atelier. In 1988, the building was turned into an architectural center. It houses an architectural archive and hosts exhibitions dedicated to Parisian urban planning.

Pavillon de L’Arsenal.
Pavillon de L’Arsenal.
Pavillon de L’Arsenal Opposite the Pavilion is a monument dedicated to Arthur Rimbaud.
Opposite the Pavilion is a monument dedicated to Arthur Rimbaud.

The permanent exhibition titled ‘Paris, a city in the making’ focuses on Parisian architecture and urban planning. The additional space hosts exhibitions about the buildings of Paris, the life of the city in the era of Baron Haussmann, and yet unrealized urban projects.

Arrival of Louis of Anjou in Paris beginning of the 15th century.
Arrival of Louis of Anjou in Paris beginning of the 15th century.

The museum is also open for experimental projects. For example, in 2017, when Paris won the competition to host the 2024 Olympics, a 13-meter climbing wall was erected in the pavilion. It is made in the colors of the event’s identity and is designed to inspire visitors to go in for rock climbing – it has become an Olympic sport.

Pavillon de L’Arsenal View of Paris from Belleville Hill. 1741.
View of Paris from Belleville Hill. 1741.
Demolition of the Bastille. 1789.
Demolition of the Bastille. 1789.
One of the rooms on the 1st floor.
One of the rooms on the 1st floor.
Center Pompidou. 1970s.
Center Pompidou. 1970s.
Reconstruction of the Orsay station into a museum. 1979 1986.
Reconstruction of the Orsay station into a museum. 1979 1986.
Temporary thematic exhibitions are held on the second floor of the Arsenal Pavilion.
Temporary thematic exhibitions are held on the second floor of the Arsenal Pavilion.
12 soil samples.
12 soil samples.
Pavillon de L’Arsenal On the floor on the 1st floor a digital layout of Paris consisting of 48 screens.
On the floor on the 1st floor a digital layout of Paris consisting of 48 screens.
Pavillon de L’Arsenal View from the museum window.
View from the museum window.