Musée du quai Branly – Jacques Chirac is a Paris museum dedicated to the arts and cultures of non‑European societies. Located beside the Seine and near the Eiffel Tower, it opened on 23 June 2006 and brings together large collections that had previously been shown in other national institutions. The museum presents objects created by peoples of Africa, the Americas, Asia and Oceania and aims to place these works in artistic, historical and anthropological context.

Collections and displays

The permanent collection comprises a very large number of objects assembled over decades. The institution holds roughly 267,000 items in its inventory, of which about 3,500 are usually on public display; the remainder is kept in storage, used for research, conservation and rotating exhibitions. Typical categories include masks, sculptures, textiles, ritual objects, jewellery and everyday items illustrating the diversity of material cultures.

  • Africa — masks, reliquaries and statuary reflecting many regions and traditions.
  • The Americas — pre‑Columbian artefacts, indigenous crafts and ceremonial objects.
  • Asia — religious sculpture, textiles and regional arts from South, Southeast and East Asia.
  • Oceania — carvings, tapa cloths and objects from Pacific island cultures.

Architecture and gardens

The building was designed by architect Jean Nouvel and is notable for its long, low form, glass facades and an integrated living garden conceived by landscape designer Gilles Clément. Visitors enter through a contemporary sequence of galleries and outdoor terraces; the planted façades and interior landscaping were intended to create a dialogue between urban Paris and the museum’s collections.

History and debates

The museum incorporates collections formerly housed at the Musée national des Arts d'Afrique et d'Océanie and other national repositories. Named after former French president Jacques Chirac, it has played a role in changing how non‑European arts are presented to the public. Since its opening it has also been part of broader debates about provenance, context and the repatriation of cultural objects — topics discussed by curators, scholars, descendant communities and policymakers.

Visiting, research and public role

Beyond exhibitions, the museum supports research, conservation and educational programs that explore ethnography, art history and cultural heritage. Temporary exhibitions, lectures and workshops aim to broaden public understanding and to present works in cross‑cultural perspectives. Practical visitor information and current exhibitions are available via the museum’s main communications channels and website: official site and local cultural listings in Paris.

As an institution, the Quai Branly museum is significant for its scale and focus: it assembles extensive collections of material cultures from several continents, offers a modern architectural setting intended to respect both objects and context, and contributes to ongoing international conversations about the stewardship and interpretation of cultural heritage.