Art in the suburbs: Against a backdrop of bleak apartment blocks in the Virty-sur-Seine district, the Musée d’art contemporain du Val-de-Marne (MAC/VAL) brings young, relevant art and busloads of visitors to the socially underprivileged neighbourhood. The 13,000 square-metre building and its garden have a wonderfully relaxed energy. Young room attendants with baseball caps tap away on their personal gadgets, taking care to look the coolest possible yet still managing to keep one eye on the more than 1000 works. The MAC/VAL offers a who’s who of art since the fifties, as well as numerous new discoveries. Fitting with its self-definition as a neighbourhood hub/meeting place, the museum also houses a cinema and hosts a variety of events. All round a magnificent institution which promotes culture and has won many fans. That goes as well for the in-house restaurant Le Transversal which sports a fantastic bistro kitchen, hosts tastings with artists, offers lunchboxes for protracted museum visits, and dishes to match each show.
Place de la Libération
94400 Paris- Vitry-sur-Seine
phone: +33 1 43916420
tue - sun 11.00 pm - 6.00 pm
mon closed
