Reimagining the Legacy of Henri Matisse – Musée Matisse Nice
Located in the city that inspired Matisse’s boldest colors and most poetic compositions, the Musée Matisse in Nice holds the only museum collection in the world devoted entirely to the artist. Beyond showcasing his legacy, the museum plays a vital role in education and research, offering innovative exhibitions, digitization efforts, and educational materials for new generations. U.S. donors help keep Matisse’s spirit alive—ensuring his work remains a source of inspiration far beyond museum walls.
Restoring a Theater That Changed the Art Form – Maison Jacques Copeau
In the heart of Burgundy’s wine country, the Maison Jacques Copeau is undergoing a transformative rehabilitation. This historic site, once home to the visionary theater director Jacques Copeau, is being restored to serve once again as a haven for artistic experimentation and education. Its influence shaped generations of theater practitioners in France and abroad. With donor support, the Maison will soon welcome new residencies, performances, and community programs—all in a fully accessible and environmentally sustainable space.
Making Contemporary Art Accessible to All – Palais de Tokyo
Just steps from the Eiffel Tower, the Palais de Tokyo is a powerhouse for contemporary art—and a model of how cultural institutions can embrace accessibility, inclusivity, and sustainability. The Association des Amis du Palais de Tokyo supports efforts like “hamo,” a dedicated space for mental health and education, and upcoming exhibitions that explore the history of Franco-American artistic exchange. Donor contributions fuel exhibitions, educational programs, and the museum’s pioneering work in institutional sustainability.
Bringing Equestrian Heritage to Life – Great Stables of Chantilly
The Société des Amis des Grandes Écuries de Chantilly brings energy and innovation to one of the world’s most iconic equestrian sites. With its immersive Living Horse Museum, the Chantilly stables celebrate the rich heritage of horse racing, dressage, polo, and cavalry. From high-tech audiovisual rooms to new museum spaces dedicated to the history of polo, donor support helps keep this world-class site alive for visitors of all ages.
Preserving the Memory of Medieval Paris – Musée de Cluny
At the Musée de Cluny in Paris, the past lives vividly through some of the most important medieval artworks in Europe—including the world-famous Lady and the Unicorn tapestry and many original pieces of the Notre Dame Cathedral stone work. With recent efforts to expand accessibility and improve the visitor experience, the museum is entering a new phase of engagement. U.S. donors can support exhibitions, educational programming, and restoration efforts that bring medieval history into the modern world.
Supporting Emerging Art and Education – Consortium Museum in Dijon
Le Coin du Miroir supports the Consortium Museum in redefining what contemporary art can be. Through innovative exhibitions, art education, and cultural experimentation, they are transforming Dijon into a center for creative inquiry. U.S. donor support sustains cutting-edge projects, live events, and artistic residencies that champion emerging voices and foster new forms of artistic engagement.
Safeguarding Intangible Heritage – Musée Rodin
The Musée Rodin, home to the largest collection of the sculptor’s work, continues to explore the legacy of one of France’s greatest artists while inviting contemporary dialogue. Each fall, the museum hosts a new exhibition that brings Rodin into conversation with current artists or themes. With donor support, the museum can deepen its educational programs, grow its collection, and preserve the masterpieces that make it one of the most visited museums in France.
Honoring History, Service, and Identity – Foreign Legion Uniform Museum
The Foyer d’entraide de la Légion étrangère operates the Foreign Legion Uniform Museum in Puyloubier, France, preserving a unique part of French military heritage. With your help, this one-of-a-kind museum can be renovated to better serve veterans, their families, and the public—offering greater accessibility and honoring the spirit of service and resilience embodied by the Legion.
Extending the Reach of Two Iconic Museums – FARMO: Musées d’Orsay et de l’Orangerie
The Fondation des Amis pour le rayonnement des Musées d’Orsay et de l’Orangerie (FARMO) is dedicated to supporting two of France’s most beloved museums as they expand their reach beyond the gallery walls. From iconic Impressionist masterpieces to bold educational programs, FARMO helps ensure that the collections of Orsay and Orangerie are accessible, inclusive, and ever-evolving. With support from U.S. donors, the foundation funds initiatives for vulnerable audiences, knowledge-sharing programs, innovative research, and the acquisition and restoration of major works of art—helping these world-renowned institutions remain vibrant, relevant, and generous to all who enter.
Preserving Paris’s Cultural Heritage – Paris Musées
Paris Musées is the public institution that manages 14 of Paris’s most beloved museums and heritage sites. Together, they preserve more than a million works of art—from antiquities to avant-garde—providing a panoramic view of the city’s extraordinary cultural legacy. From the stately Petit Palais, to the intimate studios of artists like Victor Hugo and Balzac, and the unforgettable Catacombes de Paris, this network offers something for every visitor.
Why It Matters
Whether preserving medieval masterpieces or pushing the boundaries of contemporary creation, these institutions are more than museums. They are active participants in shaping cultural identity, community resilience, and global connection. This mission aligns closely with three key Sustainable Development Goals:
- SDG 4: Many of these French museums serve as educational institutions, with missions to ensure that history continues to inform our present.
- SDG 10: These museums and the foundations that support them actively work to make culture more accessible and relevant, many of which including initiatives for low income and disadvantaged visitors.
- SDG 16: As cultural anchors grounded in connection, collaboration, and cultural openness, they help build inclusive spaces that unite communities not just in France but around the world through the many international visitors they welcome.
Your Role in the Future of Museums
Through Friends of Fondation de France, American donors can directly support these visionary institutions and the communities they serve. Your gift not only helps conserve art, monuments, and artifacts—it nurtures dialogue, inclusion, and education across borders.
This International Museum Day, we invite you to explore the extraordinary work being done by our French nonprofit museum partners. Together, we can ensure that museums across France remain places of wonder, reflection, and possibility—for everyone.
Visit our Arts, Culture & Heritage Projects Page to discover the museums you can support today.
