Ever heard of the FMAC? Neither had I before today. It's the Municipal Contemporary Art Fund, and it was created by the Paris city council in 1987 to continue purchasing modern art for the city's collection which has been going since the end of the 19th Century. You learn something every day.

As the wonderful Petit Palais also belongs to the the city, it's certainly no coincidence that one is currently working with the other. An exhibition called 'Intrusions' has just started, with pieces of modern art placed in juxtaposition with the permanent exhibits which date from the Renaissance up to the 20th Century. Installations, paintings, drawings, sculptures and photographs will spread throughout the museum, with trained guides on hand to explain things if need be.

Perhaps they could start by explaining this to me?



There is also a podcast available for download (a good grasp of French is essential) which will guide you through everything. Opn the following link in the 'advanced' menu of iTunes (or whichever program you use for your podcasts): http://www.v2asp.paris.fr/v2/podcast/petit_palais2.xml

We think the Petit Palais is worth visiting for the building alone (our lovely pictures of it are here). This exhibition gives you an extra reason to go.

Essential information:

Where: Petit Palais, Musée des Beaux-Arts de la Ville de Paris, Avenue Winston Churchill – Paris 8th arrondissement. Metro: Champs Elysées-Clemenceau (line 1 & 13). Bus n°s 42,72, 73, 80, 93
When: 6th October 2007 - 3rd February 2008, 10am - 6pm. Closed Mondays and bank holidays
How much does it cost: Absolutely free. Who says Paris is expensive?

Official Petit Palais site here. More information on the exhibition here. They're both in French (sorry).

Petit Palais photo credit: MorganC