Opened in 2011 by the people at Magnum Photo Agency (their Paris bureau is a few streets away), Le Bal is an institutional exhibition space dedicated to the documentary image. For the most part that means lots of photography exhibits but they like to mix up the shows with videos and especially books. They hold conferences with a great line-up of guest speakers and screen documentaries and other films at the nearby Cinéma de Cinéastes. Be sure to check out the bookshop where you can browse through their connoisseur’s collection of high-end photo books and limited edition zines. Le Bal Café is a great place to meet friends for a quick drink or sit down and taste Anna and Alice’s Anglo-French cuisine. And if you’re wondering why it’s called Le Bal, the space was once a dance hall cum brothel in the roaring ‘20s.
Not far from the center of Paris lies this fantastic art gallery. It is an astonishing building and has an amazing collection of works. The ticket you buy for the museum usually allows you free entry into the neighbouring theme park!
There is something moral to design things that will last for a very long time, for me it is important to visit the modernists. It is always stimulating and joyfull to visit the permanent collection of the Centre Pompidou.