Outgoing
The Contemporary 1
History Exhibition
The Contemporary 2
The Contemporary 3
The Contemporary 4
The Contemporary 5

The Contemporary

Nanterre

A library, archive, and museum fused into one soaring modern space. La Contemporaine holds 4.5 million documents spanning Europe's turbulent 20th and 21st centuries, from wartime posters to refugee testimonies. The building itself is a stunner: airy, light-filled, and designed for wandering between centuries.

20th century history
Research haven
Striking architecture
Free entry

Tips

📚"goldmine for history students"
đź”’behind-the-scenes reserve visits available
🚇easy RER A to Nanterre Université

The Contemporary

184 Cr Nicole Dreyfus, 92000 Nanterre, France

Free

Upcoming at The Contemporary

Friday, Jun 12
Les Guerres d’Eisner : un créateur de BD face à la guerre et l’antisémitisme

Les Guerres d’Eisner : un créateur de BD face à la guerre et l’antisémitisme

June 12 at 1pm

Will Eisner didn't just draw comics, he weaponized them. This exhibition traces how the legendary cartoonist used graphic storytelling to dissect war, memory, and prejudice through iconic characters and powerful manifestos.

Les Guerres d’Eisner à La Contemporaine

Les Guerres d’Eisner à La Contemporaine

June 12 at 1pm

Will Eisner turned comic strips into weapons against ignorance and hate. This free exhibition traces how the cartoonist used his art to confront war, memory, and antisemitism through iconic characters and graphic novels.

Tuesday, Jun 16
Conférence « Eisner : un système graphique » avec Gilles Ciment

Conférence « Eisner : un système graphique » avec Gilles Ciment

June 16 at 6pm

Comics legend Will Eisner documented war through a distinctive visual language. This conference explores how his graphic system shaped military storytelling, from boot camp manuals to frontline reportage.