Rivoli 59

Is it possible for a building to be a blank canvas and a masterpiece at the same time? Here at 59 Rivoli, you’ll find the answer is a resounding yes. This isn’t just another pretty facade on the grand Rue de Rivoli. 59 Rivoli is a living, breathing testament to the power of art and the resilience of creative spirit. The story begins in 1999. A group of artists, led by Gaspard Delanoë, Kalex, and Bruno Dumont, decided to breathe life back into this Haussmannian building. Abandoned for years, it became a squat, a haven for artistic expression known as Chez Robert, Électrons Libres. Imagine 59 Rivoli bursting with color, every corner transformed into a studio. Over 40,000 visitors were drawn to this explosion of creativity in its first year alone. But its existence was precarious. In 2000, eviction loomed. The artists were forced to leave, their future uncertain. However, fate, it seems, is a patron of the arts. The city recognized the unique value of 59 Rivoli. The newly elected mayor, Bertrand Delanoë, pledged to save this artistic haven. In 2009, after years of renovations, 59 Rivoli was reborn. Today, it stands as a symbol of Paris’s commitment to nurturing artistic dreams.