Maison européenne de la photographie
Museum Contemporary photography museum and exhibition space
In Paris’s Marais district, the Maison européenne de la photographie mounts contemporary photography exhibitions, artist archives and print displays. Visitors attend thematic shows and explore the museum’s photographic collections.
The Maison européenne de la photographie (MEP) is a Paris museum in the Marais dedicated to contemporary photographic art and visual culture. It presents temporary exhibitions, archival material and a public library devoted to photography.
Rotating exhibitions feature contemporary photographers, thematic group shows and retrospectives, supported by an extensive photographic library and an archive accessible for research. Exhibition spaces are concentrated within a converted 19th-century building close to the Seine.
Founded in the 1990s as a centre for photographic exhibitions and research, the MEP has focused on contemporary practice and on building a research library and archives for the medium. It has established a reputation for changing solo and group exhibitions.
Sited in the 4th arrondissement near the Hôtel de Sens and the Seine, the museum is in the Marais neighbourhood of central Paris.
- Library and archive: Located in Paris's Marais district, the museum maintains an archive and library in addition to rotating exhibition galleries focused on contemporary photography.
How to Get to Maison européenne de la photographie #
The MEP is in the 4th arrondissement of Paris, a short walk from the Hôtel de Ville and the Seine. Metro stations nearby include Saint-Paul (Line 1) and Hôtel de Ville (Lines 1 and 11). Walkable from Bastille and the Île Saint-Louis.
Tips for Visiting Maison européenne de la photographie #
- Check the temporary exhibition schedule online - MEP's shows are often thematic and short-run, and pay attention to the small publication shop for photo books hard to find elsewhere.
- Visit late on a weekday to take in both the main shows and the smaller project rooms that often host emerging photographers.
- The building is small; don't rush. A single generous exhibition can take an hour if one reads the curatorial text and captions.
Best Time to Visit Maison européenne de la photographie #
Photography houses are steady year-round; avoid Saturday afternoons if looking for quiet.
Weather & Climate near Maison européenne de la photographie #
Maison européenne de la photographie's climate is classified as Oceanic - Oceanic climate with warm summers (peaking in July) and cold winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from 2°C to 25°C. Moderate rainfall (677 mm/year), distributed fairly evenly throughout the year.
January
January is the coolest month with highs of 7°C and lows of 2°C. Moderate rainfall (54 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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February
February is cold with highs of 8°C and lows of 2°C. Moderate rainfall (49 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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March
March is cold with highs of 12°C and lows of 4°C. Moderate rainfall (62 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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April
April is cool with highs of 15°C and lows of 6°C. Moderate rainfall (57 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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May
May is cool with highs of 20°C and lows of 10°C. The wettest month with 64 mm of rain and mostly overcast skies.
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June
June is cool with highs of 22°C and lows of 13°C. Moderate rainfall (56 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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July
July is the warmest month with highs of 25°C and lows of 15°C. Moderate rainfall (62 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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August
August is the warmest month with highs of 25°C and lows of 15°C. Moderate rainfall (44 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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September
September is cool with highs of 21°C and lows of 12°C. Moderate rainfall (55 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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October
October is cool with highs of 16°C and lows of 9°C. Moderate rainfall (62 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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November
November is cold with highs of 11°C and lows of 5°C. Moderate rainfall (55 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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December
December is cold with highs of 8°C and lows of 3°C. Moderate rainfall (57 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
