Discover the Arab World Institute in the Latin Quarter

For more than 30 years, the Arab World Institute in Paris has offered a rich and ambitious cultural program to promote the art, cultures, and history of the Arab world

The Arab World Institute in Paris: a cultural bridge between France and Arab civilizations

The museum is a multifaceted venue that promotes artistic creation from the shores of the Mediterranean and represents the diversity of cultures, languages, and civilizations.

The collections of the Arab World Institute are divided into four major themes:

  • Islamic Art: an impressive collection of 620 pieces of art and craftsmanship: ceramics, jewelry, manuscripts, calligraphy, glassware…
  • Ethnography: an entire floor is dedicated to this collection, which brings together a large number of everyday objects to explore the customs and traditions of Arab societies
  • Modern and Contemporary Art: discover 460 works created since 1920, showcasing a variety of media: paintings, sculptures, photographs…
  • Other Collection: the museum’s most recent area, which hosts works from other national museums such as those in Riyadh, Carthage, and even Tunis…

The Arab World Institute in Paris also offers temporary exhibitions.
From March 26, 2019, discover the exhibition “With Pen, Brush, and Pencil: Drawings of the Arab World” which recounts the history of drawing from the 11th century to the present day in the Arab world.

The Arab World Institute, much more than a museum

The Arab World Institute houses a library of over 1,000 square meters dedicated to the knowledge of the Arab world. You can also learn the Arabic language, participate in creative workshops focusing on music and art, attend meetings and debates, or even enjoy a screening in the cinema room.