After a long residency at the Palais de Chaillot, la Cinémathèque française relocated in September 2005 to a modern building designed by architect Frank Gehry. Following its relocation to Bercy, the angular complex now houses four screens, a bookshop, exhibition space and holds one of the largest film archives in the world.

As with so many of Paris’ cinema’s, its history is steeped in French film culture. Founded in 1936 by Henri Langlois to preserve, restore and archive films, it went on to became a meeting point for the Nouvelle Vague directors during the ‘50s such as Jean-Luc Godard, Jacques Rivette and François Truffaut.

These days la Cinémathèque continues to pursue its original mission as well as extending its activities to include the screening of cult movies, the programming of major retrospectives and tributes to filmmakers & actors, exhibitions to showcase the rich content of its vault and Q&A sessions with various directors.

Most films are screened in their original language. Check their website for the latest listings.