A contemporary legacy

The opening of the Bourse de Commerce – Collection Pinault, under the guidance of Tadao Ando and the Bourellac Brothers, marks a new era for contemporary art in Paris

- CYRIL ZAMMIT

A new gem has been added to the cultural crown of Paris and it is none other than the Bourse de Commerce – Collection Pinault. Set in a historical building in the heart of the city, this new destination has been carefully planned over the course of three years to preserve the stunning legacy of its 400-year history. Now, it is projected into the world of contemporary art.

And because all good things come to those who wait, the postponed opening, which finally happened last month, coincided with the reopening of all cultural venues across France.

“For years, I have longed to be able to show my collection in Paris, the city I love. This is why the inauguration of the Bourse de Commerce – Collection Pinault is of such special and symbolic importance for me. Paris is not only the city of passion; first and foremost, it is the natural home of artists, of their creative genius and their beliefs.”

With these words, art collector François Pinault expresses his vision. The man behind the driving success of luxury brands such as Gucci, Balenciaga, Yves Saint Laurent, Boucheron and others is also the patron who gifted the Palazzo Grassi and Punta della Dogana to art-lovers in Venice. Having been on a quest for the perfect Paris location since 2006, he was refused a former Renault car production plant on an island on the river Seine before being contacted by the Mayor of Paris to evaluate the possibility of taking over the city's former Bourse de Commerce, the Parisian home of an incredible collection of over 10,000 works by 380 artists, from 1960 until today.