2027 marks a historic turning point for the Cité de l’architecture et du patrimoine. Celebrating its two decades of existence, the institution is not simply looking back: it is embarking on a profound transformation to become a more accessible, more vibrant place, resolutely focused on citizens. A pivotal year that promises to redefine our relationship with the city and housing.

Next year, the Cité will celebrate five anniversaries: its 20th anniversary, the 90th anniversary of the Palais de Chaillot, the 50th anniversary of the law on architecture, the 140th anniversary of the École de Chaillot, and the 160th anniversary of the architecture degree. For the President of the Cité, Julien Bargeton, this alignment is an opportunity to look to the future: “When you’re 20, you wonder what you’ll be doing in the next 20 years,” he explains, affirming the desire to make the Cité “an ever more open, ever more vibrant, ever more engaged place.”
At the heart of this transformation, the museum itself is getting a makeover. The goal is to make architecture accessible to everyone, moving away from overly technical discourse. Jean-Roch Bouiller, Director of the Collections Department and in charge of the museum redesign, promises a “more legible, more accessible, more understandable experience for those unfamiliar with architecture.” This new, more fluid scenography will allow visitors to better understand the history of our cities, from the Middle Ages to the present day.

The Cité now aims to reach and engage all audiences. This ambition is reflected in concrete initiatives. Fanny Servole, Director of Public Engagement, announces the launch of unprecedented workshops for 18-36 month olds, with the goal of introducing them to construction and architecture through hands-on activities. Also with the aim of speaking to the general public, the Cité de l’architecture is launching a public consultation on the website make.org to initiate a debate on how to make our cities and villages more beautiful. Jean-Sébastien Lebreton, Director of Architectural Creation, highlights a program whose guiding principle is “a desire to make architecture a space for encounter.” A series of lectures, debates, and symposia organized around five themes are planned throughout 2027 with the aim of disseminating and sharing architectural culture.

Two major exhibitions are being organized during this anniversary year: Masterpieces in Resonance in partnership with the Centre Pompidou, with the objective of bringing exceptional works from the Centre's reserves to create a unique dialogue with the Cité's collections. And Natural!, which promises to highlight nature and living things, placing them at the heart of our cities. In partnership with the Vitra Design Museum in Weil am Rhein, Germany, the exhibition will remain at the Cité until the end of February before moving to the Vitra Design Museum galleries.

In short, this anniversary year is dedicated to sharing and collaboration. As President Julien Bargeton concludes, this openness is essential for the future of the institution: "We do better when we work with others and when we expand." A promise that makes 2027 a year not to be missed for anyone curious about the city and its history.

CITY OF ARCHITECTURE AND HERITAGE

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Metro: Trocadéro (Lines 6/9)

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