Shuttle service from Institut du Monde Arabe to Paris Orly airport

Foundation and Design of the Arab World Institute

The Arab World Institute (AWI), prestigiously located at 1 rue des Fossés-Saint-Bernard, Place Mohammed-V, in the 5th arrondissement of Paris, embodies a significant cultural and intellectual project born from the cooperation between the Arab League and France. Designed to be a beacon of Arab civilization, the AWI is distinguished by its multiple facilities, including a state-of-the-art documentation center, a museum dedicated to Arabo-Muslim art, a rich library, a specialized bookstore, a restaurant offering refined gastronomy, and a space dedicated to image and sound. The institution, which is also part of the EPRA (Radio Productions and Exchanges) and the Forum of Foreign Cultural Institutes in Paris, was initiated by the joint effort of the French Republic and eighteen Arab countries, active members of the Arab League. This collaboration was formalized by the signing of the foundation act on February 28, 1980, followed six months later by the approval of the statutes by the respective ambassadors of the founding States.

Innovative Architecture and Cultural Role of the AWI

The architecture of the AWI, designed by architect Jean Nouvel in collaboration with Architecture-Studio, is a tangible representation of the dialogue between Arab and Western cultures. The building’s design revolves around a harmonious and bold mix of tradition and modernity, notably illustrated by its south façade. Inspired by the historical art of Arab geometry, it features innovative moucharabieh panels that initially adjusted their opening based on ambient light through integrated diaphragms, before the system was adjusted to function according to time change due to technical constraints. Crowned by the prestigious Equerre d’argent and Aga Khan Architecture awards upon its creation in 1987, the AWI offers a terrace with an exceptional panoramic view of the Île Saint-Louis and the apse of Notre-Dame, enriching visitors’ experience.

Since 2007, the AWI has established a specific direction for temporary exhibitions and the permanent museum, affirming its commitment to promoting Arab culture and civilization. The fourth, fifth, and seventh levels of the institute, dedicated to the permanent museum, display the evolution of Islam, the Arabo-Islamic world, and the pre-Hijra Arab world, while temporary exhibitions celebrate the cultural heritage of Arab countries through the ages. Each year, a major autumn exhibition, accompanied by thematic exhibitions, attracts visitors from around the world eager to discover the riches of the Arab world. Furthermore, the AWI library, with its encyclopedic collections, offers free and open access to the public, allowing a deep immersion into the knowledge and arts of the Arab world.

Shuttle from the Arab World Institute to Paris Airports

The Arab World Institute, a cultural and historical gem, is ideally located at a distance of 18 km from Orly Airport, 32.3 km from Roissy Charles de Gaulle Airport, and 99.5 km from Beauvais Airport. For visitors arriving from these airports, opting for a private car transfer with a driver from Orly Airport to the Arab World Institute represents an excellent option. This service not only offers optimal comfort after a long flight but also allows immersing into Paris’s rich historical heritage by heading to the Institute, thus promising a memorable experience from the first moments in the French capital.