Institut du Monde Arabe, Paris

I looooooooooooove the bookstore! It's absolutely amazing. You can find so many books on Islamic history, philosophy, etc. Whenever I'm in Paris I just wish I could buy the entire bookstore at the Institut du Monde Arabe.

The coffee shop in the other building is really nice as well.

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The Institut, known as the IMA, is well renowned for it's exhibitions and concerts, but what a lot of people don't know is that it also has a terrace, up on the 9th floor, that is free to visit and has some great views of Paris. Sweeping views from the Defence to Notre Dame, Ile St. Louis past Sacré Coeur and on to the heights of the Buttes Chaumont in one incredible vista. Only thing missing is the Eiffel Tower....

Institut du Monde Arabe

1, rue des Fossés St. Bernard

Place Mohammed V

75236 Paris Cedex 05

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L'Institut du Monde Arabe (Arab World Institute) was established in the 1980's to promote cultural exchange and understanding between France and the Arab world. An award winning modern structure combining elements of Islamic architecture, designed by renowned architect Jean Nouvel, was built to house the institute. It contains a library and bookshop focusing on the middle east, and a café and gallery selling artefacts from all over the Arab world. The most interesting feature is the exhibition centre which frequently holds art and cultural exhibits related to the middle east in association with world renowned museums (New York/Paris/Berlin/London). In early 2007, when I took the attached photos, the excellent exhibition "Venise et l'Orient" was held ("Venice and the Islamic World", later also moved to New York's Met Museum). Other exhibitions previously held include Morrocan Ceramics, the Birth of Egyptology, and Aleppo in Photographs, to name a few.

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Most people do not visit the 'Institute of the Arabic World' (loosely translated) when they are in Paris, because it is rarely featured as a 'must-see' in guide books. However, I think its a fantastic place to visit, especially given that a lot of Parisian people have arabic origins, therefore in my opinion, this building is important to Paris. Located near the River Seine in the Latin Quarter, the surroundings are rather spectacular, and there is a lot to do.

As you can see from my pictures, the facade of the building is pretty interesting. Each square represents a camera lens, and the 'lens' is meant to focus (ie open or close) depending on the amount of direct sunlight on each square. That is why each square is different from the others.

The Institut is home to a library, two gift shops, usually houses exhibitions, a cafe, and a spectacular restaurant on the terrace. I personnally found the restaurant to be a bit too expensive to dine in (more than 50 euros per person) but the mint tea and baklava is an absolute delight (at a less pricey 13 euros for everything). Entrane into the terrace is free, and even if you decide not to eat anything, the view from the terrace is unique and spectacular! I say unique because you do not see the Eiffel Tower, but many other 'tourist' destinations which are albeit less famous but equally beautiful!

Visiting the Institut is a must! Especially as it is located near other tourist sights that may be of interest to you.

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Open since December 1987, the IMA museum aims to present Arab-Islamic civilisation from its origins to the present day.
The museum began by first of all housing mostly objects from the French national museums (the Louvre, the Decorative Arts Museum, the Museum of Arts of Africa and Oceania) and a few pieces from private collections.
The Arab World Institute is a place of culture that is the fruit of a partnership between France and twenty-two Arab countries : Algeria, Saoudi Arabia, Bahrain, Comores, Djibouti, Egypt, United Arab Emirates, Iraq, Jordan, Kowait, Lebanon, Libya, Marocco, Mauritania, Oman, Palestine, Qatar, Somalia, Sudan, Syria, Tunisia and Yemen.
I enjoyed the musuem and the special exhibitiions, furthermore the architecture of the building is superb. Look at my other tips for more information on this.

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At the Southern bank of the Seine, east of the Latin Quarter, you will find the big building belonging to the Institut du Monde Arabe (institute of the Arab World). This institute was founded in 1974, to create an information source about 19 Arab countries and France. The building that now houses the institute was officially opened in 1987.

The building is very modern. It is made of steel and glass, but still looks very arabic. The southern facade of the buidling is the most special of all. Here there are 240 identical panels that react on sunlight. The diafragma's that are included in the panels can open and close depending on the amount of sunlight. The brighter it gets, the further the diafragma's close. Every hour this is adapted again. The panels are bases on old arabic shapes; traditional wooden panels called "moucharabiens".

Inside the buidling there is a museum about the Arab World, but there also are two cafe's, a restaurant and a cinema, a library and a language institute.

Outside there is another building where you can have a drink and buy souvenirs.

I was reading a book about architecture when I came across this buiding! Strangely shaped, strangely built, strangely named... So I went out there to check it out & in the end it was exactly what I thought it would be - another piece of art!

The windows are completely mechanical & they open or close based on the amount of light necessary for the exhibited item! Pretty crazy! :)

The Institut du Monde Arabe is dedicated to Arab and Islamic civilisation from its origins to the present day. As you appoarch the building you'll see the south-facing wall with an Islamic pattern made up of apertures. These apetures control the sun's light into the interior of the building. It's like a giant Islamic screen. Go inside up to the top floor where you'll get, in my opinion, the best view of Paris.