Maison européenne de la photographie

The Maison Européenne de la Photographie (MEP), located in the heart of Paris, is a renowned center for contemporary photographic art. Housed in the historic Hotel Henault de Cantobre, built in 1706, the MEP was opened in 1996 after the City of Paris commissioned a restoration and expansion of the original building. The center features an exhibition space, a large library, an auditorium, and a video viewing facility. Visitors can also enjoy a café and a specialized bookstore. The MEP is dedicated to making photographic media accessible to all, offering numerous guided tours, conferences, and film cycles related to the exhibitions. It also houses a photographic restoration and conservation workshop. The collection includes around 20,000 works of art, primarily photographs and videos, and the library holds 24,000 volumes about photography. The MEP organizes three to four exhibition cycles annually, focusing on artists, themes, and movements from the second half of the 20th century to the present. The center is open from Wednesday to Sunday, with free admission every Wednesday evening. The exhibition rooms are accessible to disabled persons.