Recently opened (June 2024) in the opulent Hôtel de Mercy-Argenteau – an 18th century building on the Grands Boulevards not far from Opera, the School of Jewellery Arts is a project from master jewellers Van Cleef & Arpels, offering temporary exhibitions that are as tempting as they are absolutely free…

With numerous free museums, great parks and remarkable architecture everywhere, Paris has a lot to offer for zero euros, and there are new propositions all the time.

Like this one! A new cultural space showcasing gorgeous jewellery in an impressive building, with free entrance (you just have to book the time of your visit) – l’École des Arts Joailliers (School of Jewellery Arts)!

We actually visited the building back in 2013 when it was the new home of the Mozilla Foundation (they moved out in 2019), but the interiors still guarantee a few jaw-dropping moments, from the grand staircase to the high ceilings by way of the gorgeous wooden floor (‘Point de Hongrie’ for the connaisseurs among you). The building was constructed in 1778 but it’s a shiny as a diamond-encrusted pin.

And so, after many different uses the building is now a jewellery school, a research space with a (very) specialised library dedicated to the art of jewellery making, and a free exhibition space with something new on offer every six months.

Even if you aren’t a big fan of jewellery, the space itself is typically old-Parisian and worth a look.

The day of our visit we were able to see the exhibition Bijoux de scène (Stage Jewellery) showing creations seen on the stage of the revered Comédie-Française theatre, and the current exhibition is Paris, City of Pearls with – as you might have guessed – lots of pearls (and quite a few diamonds).

What a great setting for these extraordinary pieces…

When exiting the exhibition you’ll arrive in a small boutique with various objects and books, but the venue also has its own large bookshop on the ground floor, called L’Escarboucle, which can be accessed from the street and is thus open to all. Here you’ll find a huge range of books about jewellery, probably more than you thought existed.

So you have until 1st June 2025 to catch the current exhibition Paris, City of Pearls (click to book), and you can get a sneak peak with the visual guide here.

Oh, and hardcore jewellery fans can listen to the school’s podcast, available in English here!

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The School of Jewellery (here) is open every day except Monday from 11am-7pm (9pm Thursdays)

Closed 1st, 8th and 29th May 2025

Free guided tours (French only) for adults on Tuesdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays at 3.15pm and 4.15pm, and Thursdays at 6.15pm and 7.15pm

Free entrance, book here

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Une publication partagée par L'ÉCOLE, School of Jewelry Arts (@lecolevancleefarpels)