Fondation Louis Vuitton
Quick answer
Fondation Louis Vuitton in Paris, France — the Fondation Louis Vuitton opened in 2014 in a building designed by Frank Gehry — 12 immense 'sails' of curved glass suspended over a white structure, creating an effect that Gehry described as a cloud of glass. Open Monday, Wednesday, Thursday: 12:00 PM – 7:00 PM; Friday: 12:00 PM – 9:00 PM; Saturday–Sunday: 11:00 AM – 8:00 PM; closed Tuesdays. Admission: €16 standard adult admission; combined ticket with temporary exhibitions available. Allow 2–3 hours and book a timed ticket ahead.
Visitor information last reviewed 30 June 2026. Check the official museum site for current details.
Fondation Louis Vuitton at a glance: hours, tickets and time needed
| Opening hours | Monday, Wednesday, Thursday: 12:00 PM – 7:00 PM; Friday: 12:00 PM – 9:00 PM; Saturday–Sunday: 11:00 AM – 8:00 PM |
|---|---|
| Closed | Tuesdays |
| Admission | €16 standard adult admission; combined ticket with temporary exhibitions available |
| Booking | Book a timed ticket in advance — peak slots sell out |
| Time needed | 2–3 hours |
| Best time to visit | Friday evenings until 9 PM — the glass sails are spectacular at sunset and crowds thin after 5 PM. |
| Getting there | Shuttle: Fondation navette from Rond-Point des Champs-Élysées (near Arc de Triomphe) — €3 each way, every 15 minutes |
| Address | 8 Avenue du Mahatma Gandhi, Bois de Boulogne, 75116 Paris, France |
| Official website | fondationlouisvuitton.fr |
Checked 2026-06-30 against the official website. Prices and hours change — confirm before you travel.
What is Fondation Louis Vuitton known for?
The Fondation Louis Vuitton opened in 2014 in a building designed by Frank Gehry — 12 immense curved glass 'sails' suspended over a white concrete structure in the Bois de Boulogne. Bernard Arnault, chairman of LVMH, commissioned the building as a gift to Paris and a showcase for the group's art collection and temporary exhibitions.
The building is the primary attraction for many visitors — Gehry's glass sails reflect the sky and surrounding park, creating an ever-changing exterior that shifts from transparent to opaque depending on light conditions. The terraces offer views over the Bois de Boulogne and the La Défense skyline.
The permanent collection spans 20th- and 21st-century art with major works by Ellsworth Kelly, Gerhard Richter, Jeff Koons, Bertrand Lavier, and Pierre Soulages. The 11 gallery spaces host rotating displays and world-class temporary exhibitions that draw international attention during Paris art season.
Located at the western edge of Paris in the 16th arrondissement, the Fondation requires a deliberate journey — but the Gehry building, the park setting, and the quality of exhibitions make it one of the most rewarding half-day trips in the city.
Best for: Art Lovers · First-timers
How long do you need at Fondation Louis Vuitton?
Allow 2–3 hours. A focused route through 4 must-see highlights at Fondation Louis Vuitton without museum fatigue. Follow the stops in order:
- 1
Wild Rose Bush
📍 Gallery 1, Permanent Collection
A monumental shaped canvas in Kelly's signature hard-edge style — a single organic form distilled to its essential colour and contour.
- 2
Rabbit
📍 Gallery 3, Permanent Collection
Koons's stainless-steel cast of an inflatable rabbit — a signature work of 1980s Neo-Pop that questions authenticity, commerce, and the boundary between high art and kitsch.
- 3
Abstract Painting
📍 Gallery 2, Permanent Collection
A large-scale squeegee painting from Richter's abstract period — layers of scraped and dragged pigment creating a luminous field that hovers between photography and pure painting.
- 4
Peinture 196 cm x 130 cm, 20 mai 1959
📍 Gallery 4, Permanent Collection
A masterwork from Soulages's 'outrenoir' (beyond black) period — thick black brushstrokes that capture and reflect light rather than absorbing it.
What are the must-see works at Fondation Louis Vuitton?
4 highlights that define the collection: Wild Rose Bush, Rabbit, Abstract Painting and more.
Wild Rose Bush
Ellsworth Kelly · 1967
📍 Gallery 1, Permanent Collection
A monumental shaped canvas in Kelly's signature hard-edge style — a single organic form distilled to its essential colour and contour. Part of the Fondation's core collection of American post-war abstraction.
Rabbit
Jeff Koons · 1986
📍 Gallery 3, Permanent Collection
Koons's stainless-steel cast of an inflatable rabbit — a signature work of 1980s Neo-Pop that questions authenticity, commerce, and the boundary between high art and kitsch.
Abstract Painting
Gerhard Richter · 1994
📍 Gallery 2, Permanent Collection
A large-scale squeegee painting from Richter's abstract period — layers of scraped and dragged pigment creating a luminous field that hovers between photography and pure painting.
Peinture 196 cm x 130 cm, 20 mai 1959
Pierre Soulages · 1959
📍 Gallery 4, Permanent Collection
A masterwork from Soulages's 'outrenoir' (beyond black) period — thick black brushstrokes that capture and reflect light rather than absorbing it. The Fondation holds one of the finest Soulages collections in France.
Collections and highlights
- • Permanent collection — Kelly, Richter, Koons, and Soulages
- • Temporary exhibitions — major international contemporary art
- • Gehry architecture — 12 glass sails and terrace views
- • Bois de Boulogne setting — park and water gardens
- • Contemporary commissions — site-specific installations
- • Photography and new media programmes
- • Artistic education workshops and family programmes
- • Auditorium — concerts, talks, and performances
Tips for visiting Fondation Louis Vuitton
- 1.
Best time to visit
Friday evenings until 9 PM — the glass sails are spectacular at sunset and crowds thin after 5 PM. Weekday afternoons are quietest.
- 2.
Crowds & busy periods
Weekends and major exhibition openings draw Paris art-world crowds. The building absorbs visitors well due to its scale. Summer weekends in the Bois de Boulogne are busy in the park but not inside.
- 3.
Tickets & booking
€16 standard admission; book online at fondationlouisvuitton.fr. Combined tickets with temporary exhibitions available. Under-18s, students, and under-26 EU free.
- 4.
Food & cafés nearby
Le Frank restaurant inside the Fondation with terrace; limited options in the Bois de Boulogne — eat in Passy or La Muette (15 minutes by metro) for more choice.
- 5.
Accessibility
Fully accessible with elevators to all gallery levels and terraces. Wheelchair loan available. Accessible parking in the underground car park.
How do you get to Fondation Louis Vuitton?
- shuttle Fondation navette from Rond-Point des Champs-Élysées (near Arc de Triomphe) — €3 each way, every 15 minutes
- metro M1 to Les Sablons — 15-minute walk through the Bois de Boulogne (signposted)
- bus Route 244 from Porte Maillot to Louis Vuitton stop — 10-minute walk through the park
Address: 8 Avenue du Mahatma Gandhi, Bois de Boulogne, 75116 Paris, France
Fondation Louis Vuitton: frequently asked questions
How do I get there?
The Fondation runs a shuttle bus (navette) from the Arc de Triomphe / Rond-Point des Champs-Élysées for €3 each way — the easiest option. Alternatively, take the Métro to Les Sablons (Line 1) and walk approximately 15 minutes through the Bois de Boulogne.
Is it worth visiting for the building alone?
Yes — the Gehry building is extraordinary from every angle. The terraces overlooking the Bois de Boulogne are free to access once inside and offer some of the most unusual architectural views in Paris.
What are the major permanent collection highlights?
The Fondation holds major works by Ellsworth Kelly, Gerhard Richter, Jeff Koons, Bertrand Lavier, and Pierre Soulages, among others. The collection changes across its 11 gallery spaces.
How long should I spend at Fondation Louis Vuitton?
Plan 2–3 hours for the highlights of Fondation Louis Vuitton. Our 4-stop route — Wild Rose Bush, Rabbit, Abstract Painting and more — is designed to fit that time. Add extra time for temporary exhibitions, the shop and the café.
What is Fondation Louis Vuitton best known for?
The Fondation Louis Vuitton opened in 2014 in a building designed by Frank Gehry — 12 immense 'sails' of curved glass suspended over a white structure, creating an effect that Gehry described as a cloud of glass. The building sits at the edge of the Bois de Boulogne and is widely considered one of the most beautiful contemporary buildings in France. Key highlights include Permanent collection — Kelly, Richter, Koons, and Soulages, Temporary exhibitions — major international contemporary art, Gehry architecture — 12 glass sails and terrace views.
How do I get tickets for Fondation Louis Vuitton?
Admission: €16 standard adult admission; combined ticket with temporary exhibitions available. Book a timed-entry ticket on the official website before you go — popular slots sell out in peak season. Official site: https://www.fondationlouisvuitton.fr/en.html
Is the Fondation worth the trip from central Paris?
Yes — the Gehry building alone justifies the journey, and the quality of temporary exhibitions is consistently world-class. Allow 2–3 hours including the terraces and park walk. The €3 shuttle bus from the Champs-Élysées is the easiest option.
Can I visit the terraces without seeing the exhibitions?
Terraces are inside the paid admission area — there is no separate terrace-only ticket. However, the building's exterior and the surrounding Bois de Boulogne park are free to enjoy without a ticket.
What should I see if I only have 90 minutes?
Start on the terraces for the views, then visit the permanent collection galleries (Kelly, Richter, Koons, Soulages), and finish with whatever temporary exhibition is on. The building itself — escalators, glass sails, and water features — is part of the experience.
Is Fondation Louis Vuitton open on Tuesdays?
No — Fondation Louis Vuitton is closed every Tuesday. It is open Monday, Wednesday, Thursday: 12:00 PM – 7:00 PM; Friday: 12:00 PM – 9:00 PM; Saturday–Sunday: 11:00 AM – 8:00 PM. Plan a different museum for that day, and check the official website for holiday changes.
What are Fondation Louis Vuitton's opening hours?
Fondation Louis Vuitton is open Monday, Wednesday, Thursday: 12:00 PM – 7:00 PM; Friday: 12:00 PM – 9:00 PM; Saturday–Sunday: 11:00 AM – 8:00 PM, and closed Tuesdays. Hours can change for holidays and events, so check the official website before you go.
Is Fondation Louis Vuitton free to visit?
No — standard admission is €16 standard adult admission; combined ticket with temporary exhibitions available.
