Les Franciscaines
Deauville
From Tuesday to Sunday
10:30 am – 6:30 pm
145 B avenue de la République
14800 Deauville
As part of the Constellation programme, unfolding throughout the renovation period of the iconic Paris institution, the first collaboration between Les Franciscaines de Deauville and Centre Pompidou shines a light on the extraordinary breadth of talent of one of the most celebrated artists of the first half of the twentieth century: the painter and decorative artist Raoul Dufy, a native of Le Havre.
Domaine public. Photo : Centre Pompidou, MNAM-CCI/Jean-François Tomasian/Dist. GrandPalaisRmn
Raoul Dufy, la mélodie du bonheur
27 June – 20 September 2026
Drawn from the rich body of works bequeathed to the French State in 1963 and now held by the Musée national d’art moderne – Centre Pompidou, this retrospective highlights the extraordinary versatility of Raoul Dufy's genius (1877-1953). Far from being confined to painting, drawing and printmaking, his creative practice also encompassed the decorative arts, ceramics and textile design.
Through a journey that is both chronological and thematic, with particular emphasis on his connections to Normandy and to music, the exhibition offers an original perspective on the major developments of modernity during the first half of the twentieth century. From his early landscapes, rooted in the legacy of Impressionism, to his efforts to "renew" popular art in the 1910s, via Fauvism and Cubism, the exhibition traces the many artistic currents that shaped his singular vision.
Opened in May 2021, Les Franciscaines de Deauville has established itself as a unique cultural destination, where disciplines and audiences intersect in an innovative and welcoming environment.
Conceived as a true living space, it brings together under one roof a media library, a museum, exhibition galleries and a performance venue. This rare combination within the cultural landscape encourages a seamless dialogue between artistic forms and audiences. From morning to evening, visitors can move freely from a book to an artwork, from a lecture to a concert, in a fluid experience that fosters discovery and sparks curiosity.
Housed within a remarkable nineteenth-century heritage site—the former convent of the Franciscan Sisters—the complex has been entirely restored and reinvented by architect Alain Moatti. The architectural intervention preserves the spirit and history of the site while introducing a confident contemporary vision. Volumes, sightlines and circulation routes have been carefully designed to encourage exploration and create an immersive visitor experience. In this way, Les Franciscaines honours the memory of the place while firmly anchoring it in the present.
The institution’s programme is distinguished by its cross-disciplinary and accessible approach. Exhibitions, performances, concerts, literary events, lectures and film screenings are presented throughout the year, reflecting the themes most closely associated with Deauville: horses, cinema, photography, the performing arts, the art of living and youth culture. This diversity appeals to a broad audience, from dedicated enthusiasts to casual visitors, while encouraging dialogue across disciplines and generations.
Designed as an intergenerational venue, Les Franciscaines invites every visitor to become an active participant in their own experience. There is no prescribed route: each person is free to shape their visit according to their interests, inspirations and pace. This freedom fosters a distinctive relationship with the works and content on display, within an atmosphere that is both convivial and intellectually stimulating. Visitors are placed at the heart of the experience, in a setting conducive to both contemplation and exchange.
Supported by the City of Deauville, this cultural institution embodies an open, innovative and boundary-crossing vision of culture. It serves as a key instrument of the city’s cultural policy, contributing to its national and international profile. In just a few years, Les Franciscaines has become an essential destination, attracting an ever-growing audience.
Having welcomed more than one million visitors since its opening, the institution has confirmed both its success and its significance within the contemporary cultural landscape. More than simply a cultural venue, Les Franciscaines is today a place of encounter, transmission and shared emotion, where culture is fully experienced and enjoyed as part of everyday life.
