It opened in December 1987 and it was conceived by a team of architects (Jean Nouvel and Architecture studio) which tried to realize a synthesis of Arabic and Western culture. Although its building was in François Mitterand’s policy of the great works, it had been already decided during Valery Giscard d’Estaing’s seven year term of office in 1973, waiting for the diplomatic relations between France and Arabic countries to improve.
The Northern façade looks at the historical Paris symbolizing the bind with the old city which is represented allusively on the façade itself.
The southern façade depicts the historical themes of the Arabic geometry.
Such partitions open and close every hour.