Atelier des Lumières

Top choice in Le Marais, Ménilmontant & Belleville


A former foundry dating from 1835 that supplied iron for the French navy and railroads now houses Paris' first digital-art museum. The 1500-sq-metre La Halle mounts dazzling light projections that take over the bare walls. Long programs lasting around 30 minutes are based on historic artists' works; there's also a shorter contemporary program. Screenings are continuous. In the separate Le Studio space, you can discover emerging and established digital artists.

Children under 13 must be accompanied by an adult.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby Le Marais, Ménilmontant & Belleville attractions

1. Square Maurice Gardette

0.07 MILES

In the heart of the vibrant 11e, this square was first laid out in 1872 on the former site of the Ménilmontant slaughterhouses, and in 1979 was…

2. Brasserie BapBap

0.16 MILES

BapBap, whose name means 'Brassée à Paris, Bue à Paris' (Brewed in Paris, Beloved in Paris; the latter a twist on 'drunk in Paris', as in 'consumed in…

3. Église St-Ambroise

0.23 MILES

Built between 1863 and 1868 on the site of a former church, Notre-Dame de la Procession, this distinctive church with twin towers rising 68m was designed…

4. Le MUR

0.31 MILES

Meaning 'the wall' but also standing for Modulable Urbain Réactif (Modular Urban Reactive), street-art canvas Le MUR, on the southern side of the building…

5. Musée Édith Piaf

0.32 MILES

This private museum in Ménilmontant, some 1.5km from the birthplace of the iconic singer Édith Piaf and closer to her final resting place in Père Lachaise…

6. Cimetière du Père Lachaise

0.4 MILES

Opened in 1804, Père Lachaise is the world's most visited cemetery. Its 70,000 ornate tombs of the rich and famous form a verdant, 44-hectare sculpture…

7. Parc de Belleville

0.67 MILES

Atop a hill 128m above sea level, this lovely park unfolds over 4.5 hectares of urban greenery, with fountains, trimmed hedgerows, a gargantuan slide, a…

8. Rue Dénoyez

0.71 MILES

One block east of bd de Belleville, narrow rue Dénoyez was known for years as Paris' most dazzling street-art street, with everything from litter bins and…