Parisian Museum Honors Hector Guimard, Designer of Illustrious "Métropolitain" Emblems
In a significant move to celebrate the legacy of renowned French architect Hector Guimard, Paris is set to establish a museum dedicated to the Art Nouveau pioneer. The museum, housed in Guimard's own masterpiece, the Hôtel Mezzara, is due to open at the end of 2027 or early 2028 following a €6 million renovation.
The Hôtel Mezzara, built in 1910 for textile industrialist Paul Mezzara, is a prime example of Guimard's distinctive Art Nouveau style. The building, which has served as a private residence, annex of the Lycée Jean-Zay, and has been empty since 2015, will undergo a comprehensive renovation before its transformation into a museum.
The restoration project has been spearheaded by Le Cercle Guimard, an association established 23 years ago to preserve Guimard's works and documents. The association has played a crucial role in conceptualising the museum and promoting Guimard's work. The project has gained momentum with the commitment of funding, with Fabien Choné providing the significant investment of approximately 6 million euros.
The museum will offer visitors an immersive experience into Guimard's creative vision. It will feature a collection of his works, including the iconic Parisian metro entrances he designed at the beginning of the 20th century. The museum will also showcase the Hôtel Mezzara's original Art Nouveau features, such as Guimard's furniture, building plans, and other work.
In addition to the exhibitions, the museum will also house a cafeteria in the back garden and a boutique offering reproductions of Guimard's designs, allowing visitors to take home a piece of his legacy. The revival of Guimard's legacy began in 1970 with an exhibition in New York, and the museum is a significant step towards rectifying an injustice done to Guimard, whose work was criticised and nearly forgotten after being replaced by other designs in Paris by 1913.
Guimard's widow, Adeline, made numerous attempts to preserve his work, but much of it was disregarded and even destroyed. Adeline tried to bequeath the Hôtel Guimard, along with its contents, to the state and the city, but both turned down her offer. The Hôtel Guimard was eventually turned into residential apartments, and many of its original fittings were lost over time.
Nicolas Horiot, an architect and president of Le Cercle Guimard, expressed his joy at the upcoming museum, saying, "This is a step towards rectifying an injustice done to Guimard." The museum's establishment is being overseen by Hector Guimard Diffusion, a company headed by Fabien Choné. Le Cercle Guimard has also been in talks with the city of Paris for recognition of Guimard's art pieces.
The museum's opening is eagerly anticipated by art enthusiasts and historians alike, offering a unique opportunity to explore Guimard's legacy and Art Nouveau in Paris. With 88 iron-and-glass 'Metropolitain' constructions of Guimard's design remaining, the museum will serve as a testament to his enduring influence on the city's architecture. Other Guimard projects, including his private house, are still visible in the same neighbourhood as the Hôtel Mezzara, further underscoring the significance of this museum.
- Eco-conscious travelers visiting Paris in the future might consider staying at a hotel near the Hôtel Mezzara, as its renovation will not only serve as a museum but also as a showcase of Hector Guimard's extraordinary interior-design skills.
- The home-and-garden enthusiasts, appreciative of Art Nouveau's impact on lifestyle and design, will find the back garden cafeteria of the Hôtel Mezzara museum a must-visit, offering a tranquil setting with original Guimard-designed furniture.
- When planning their tour itinerary in Paris, visitors with an interest in both architecture and history cannot miss the Hôtel Mezzara museum, which offers a comprehensive look at Guimard's lifework, from metro entrances to furniture designs, creating an immersive journey into the Art Nouveau era.
