Paris is finally giving Hector Guimard, the architect behind the city's iconic Art Nouveau Métro entrances, the recognition he deserves. A new museum entirely devoted to his life and work is set to open by the end of 2027 inside the Hôtel Mezzara — a historical building in the 16th arrondissement designed by Guimard himself. As G.Business reports, citing Le Monde , renovation work at the Hôtel Mezzara is expected to begin in the final quarter of 2026. The opening is scheduled for late 2027 or early 2028.

Why Hôtel Mezzara

The location is no coincidence. Hôtel Mezzara, located at 60 Rue Jean de la Fontaine in Paris, was designed between 1910 and 1911 by Guimard for textile manufacturer Paul Mezzara. It served as both a private residence and a showcase for modern textiles and interiors. Guimard conceived it as a Gesamtkunstwerk — a total work of art — with every element, from architecture to furniture, following a unified Art Nouveau aesthetic.

The building remains one of the few surviving examples of Guimard’s original vision and includes:

  • An asymmetrical façade with ceramic ornamentation
  • Floral wrought-iron balconies
  • A central staircase topped with a stained-glass skylight
  • Original furnishings and wall panels

Registered as a Monument historique since 1994, the building had long been closed to the public. Most recently, it was used for administrative purposes by the French school system.

©Didier Rykner –  la Tribune de l’Art/paris-promeneurs.com

A Cultural Restoration Project

The Guimard Museum project is led by Hector Guimard Diffusion, represented by creative agency Fabelsi, in collaboration with Cercle Guimard, a cultural association dedicated to Guimard’s legacy.

The estimated renovation and museum development budget is €6 million, funded by a mix of public contributions, private donors, and cultural foundations. Support comes from the French Ministry of Culture, the City of Paris, and several foundations devoted to Art Nouveau.

Restoration will be supervised by the regional cultural affairs authority DRAC Île-de-France and will include structural repairs, energy-efficient upgrades, and faithful restoration of original features — all while preserving Guimard’s artistic vision.

What Visitors Will Experience

This museum will not be a conventional gallery. Instead, it will serve as an immersive, walk-through archive of Guimard’s legacy and Art Nouveau as a movement.

The permanent collection will include:

  • Original furnishings, doors, panels, lighting, and railings from Guimard-designed homes
  • Hand-drawn sketches, building plans, typographic designs, and artistic blueprints
  • A digital archive featuring 3D reconstructions and global documentation of his work
  • Rotating exhibitions exploring the broader European Art Nouveau movement

A special focus will be placed on the relationship between design, infrastructure, and public space — from Métro entrances to furniture and door handles — showing how functionality becomes artistic identity.

Several private documents never before seen by the public will also be unveiled.

Opening, Tickets & Visitor Experience

The official opening of the Musée Hector Guimard is scheduled for late 2027, with the exact date expected to be announced sometime in 2026. Located in the architect’s own masterpiece — Hôtel Mezzara in Paris’s 16th arrondissement — the museum will be open Tuesday to Sunday, from 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM, and closed on Mondays.

To ensure a smooth visitor experience, the museum will implement a timed-entry online booking system, allowing guests to reserve their visit slots in advance. The official website, including digital ticketing options, is expected to go live by mid-2026.

Ticketing structure (as planned by cultural authorities)

  • General admission: Estimated between €15 and €20
  • Free entry for children under 12
  • Reduced rates for students, school groups, and seniors
  • Guided tours and group packages will also be available

Additional amenities include

  • A museum café overlooking the landscaped inner courtyard, designed as a quiet space for reflection
  • A curated gift shop featuring high-quality reproductions, design objects, and architectural publications
  • Full accessibility throughout the building, including ramps and elevators for visitors with limited mobility

Whether you're an architecture enthusiast, a lover of Art Nouveau, or simply curious about Paris’s cultural heritage, the museum promises to be an immersive and memorable experience.

Stay informed with stories that matter — here’s an insightful read on how Wang Ning built a $22.7 billion toy empire with a fluffy monster called Labubu.