59 Rivoli — Attraction in Paris

A highly unique experience which is sure to fascinate any visual artist. 59 Rivoli is a center solely dedicated to visual arts, that is to say, you won't find any novels or songs here. Additionally, almost all of the showcased works are situated firmly within the "modern art" umbrella, which certainly isn't for everybody. The building seems like it is ever-changing, but when I visited, it was divided into 2 sections: One is a small two-floored gallery where finished products seem to be showcased. The artworks vary from paintings, to sculptures, to murals, and more. Almost all of them physically present in the piece, rather than digital pieces. The second part is a six-story building where the artists themselves work. The completely open-to-public nature of these floors allows for anyone to walk among the work-in-progress paintings, and half-built models, and watch the artists live at work. This means that if any artwork or particular style catches your attention, you can chat directly with the artist. This humanizing aspect of 59 Rivoli is definitely what makes it interesting and sets it apart from being just another modern art gallery. I would recommend any artistic soul passing by the area to give this building a visit, no matter how short, no matter how interested you may be in modern art. Simply because it is such a...

59 Rivoli is a winding portal to a world where art knows no boundaries. It’s a living, breathing studio of craftspeople that are creating before your very eyes and exploring their own potential. The artists are professionals, restless seekers who have earned a residency in this amazing space and are driven to collaborate and foster community (apparent by the frequent banter found on each story).

The unassuming building opens to a spiral staircase that leads up, up, up into a bevy of visual wonders - and there isn’t a single corner untouched by something magical. We spent hours canoodling on each floor, which was distinct and projected its own identity.

59 Rivoli isn’t a typical museum, and as such does not require an entrance fee. That said, they do accept donations, which I highly recommend. The first floor (“0” in Paris, n’est pas?) did feature recognized talent from other locales - in our case, we saw an American by way of Barcelona - as well as some live artists producing and selling in the common area.

What an awesome gem to unearth. It’s located in a fantastic neighborhood with a plethora of cafes and boulangeries that are perfect for chatting and discussing the work over a glass of wine and warm baguette. Don’t...

The building at 59 Rivoli was formerly a branch of the Crédit Lyonnais bank. It was abandoned for 15 years before artists took over the six-storey space and began exhibiting art and hosting parties. The building is from the Hausmannian period of urban renewal and growth in the mid-1800s. The 6 spiral staircase in the middle of the building climbs 6 floors, surrounded by brightly colored murals on the walls and floors.

In 1999, a group of artists including Gaspard Delanoë squatted the former bank building, which had been abandoned for 15 years. The Council of Paris originally planned to evict the artists but backed down when it received positive media attention. After years of 59 Rivoli being a squat, the city of Paris considered evicting the tenants. City officials discovered in 2001 that more than 40,000 people were visiting 59 Rivoli per year, and it was the third most-visited center or museum for contemporary art in the city. Paris city hall bought the building to convert it to a legal space for art studios and tourism.59 Rivoli was the first conversion to a legal establishment by the ministry in Paris, but the project has...