59 Rivoli is an artist's space located at 59 Rue Rivoli in the famous 'Marais district' of Paris. It houses artists studios and exhibitions spaces. 59 Rivoli began life as a squat but was legalised in 2006.
Explore 59 Rivoli
France This Way review: Come to 59 Rivoli for the amazing staircase and then spend time exploring the wealth of creative talent in the building. Watch the artists at work and buy pieces for very reasonable prices.
Rue Rivoli is one of the main shopping streets of Paris. It runs roughly 50 to 100 meters north of the River Seine from the Pont de la Concorde to the Pont de Sully.
Number 59 can be found a little to the north of the Ile de la Cité and not far from the famous Samaritaine department store. It is perfectly placed in the trendy, eclectic area of Marais in Paris.
It is easily spotted for the artworks strewn over the facade of the six-storey building. These change regularly and so there is always something of interest to see.
59 Rivoli was a branch of the Credit Lyonnais bank which had been abandoned for fifteen years when it was squatted by a group of artists in 1999.
These artists created studios and frequently hosted exhibitions and parties. The council of Paris set in motion a move to shut down the squat but it was receiving a lot of positive attention from the public.
It turns out that by 2001 more than 40000 people a year were visiting 59 Rivoli which made it the third most visited contemporary art museum in Paris!
The squat was legalised in 2006 and is now often referred to as an 'after-squat'. Between 2006 and 2009 the building was renovated and is now home to 30 artist studios and has more than 70000 visitors per year.
The first thing you will notice as you enter the building is the amazing staircase which has been painted with some really fabulous murals all the way up its six floors.
Different artists have painted the different sections and the result is a huge, dynamic, contemporary art work that is wonderful to see.
On the ground floor of 59 Rivoli there is an exhibition space with exhibitions that change regularly and vary from paintings, sculpture, photographs etc.
Above are the thirty artists studios and all can be visited freely. The artists are there working when the gallery is open and are very happy to discuss their work with the public.
The studios are primarily a place of work where artists can work, not an exhibition space though of course the artists have pieces of their work there for sale.
However the focus on working artists makes the space very interesting to visit and see artists at work in all sorts of different media.
Studios photographed during our visit included @laferlaluigi, @cynthiapedros1 and @hannahsilverking.
59 Rivoli is situated at 59 rue Rivoli in the 1st arrondissement of Paris. The nearest metro is Chatelet.
59 Rivoli is open from Tuesday to Sunday 13.00 to 20.00.
Attractions nearby
59 Rivoli is located in the centre of Paris. It is very close to the Isle de la Cité where the Sainte Chapelle and the Conciergerie can all be found.
You can find more travel ideas in the Paris region guide.
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Photos of 59 Rivoli
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Places to visit near 59 Rivoli
Saint-Jacques Tower
The Saint-Jacques Tower is a 16th century belltower from an older church, now used as a viewpoint to admire the views across Paris
Saint-Jacques Tower guide
Conciergerie
La Conciergerie at Paris is one of the oldest and most important gothic palaces in France
Conciergerie guide
Sainte-Chapelle
Sainte-Chapelle, on the Ile de la Cité in Paris, is an important gothic chapel with remarkable stained glass windows
Sainte-Chapelle guide
Stravinsky Fountain
The Stravinsky fountain is a modernist fountain of animated and brightly coloured characters and jets of water
Stravinsky Fountain guide
River Seine
The Seine river is at the heart of the city, near many of the famous monuments, and a boat ride on the Seine is a popular attraction
River Seine guide
Pont des Arts
The Pont des Arts is a metal pedestrian bridge built in 1804 in the centre of Paris
Pont des Arts guide