The Centre culturel suisse (CCS), which has been located in the heart of the Marais district of Paris since it opened in 1985, has been undergoing a major renovation since 2022. Throughout this period, the CCS is keeping up its activities through the On Tour project – a multidisciplinary, off-site artistic programme travelling through France. The CCS will reopen its doors in autumn 2025.
The Centre culturel suisse aims to promote an open-minded, contemporary Swiss art scene in France, to increase the visibility of Swiss artists there and to promote exchange between the Swiss and French art scenes.
Overview of the stages of On Tour:
September–December 2024:
CCS On Tour in Paris
Thanks to an invaluable network of local partners, the Centre culturel suisse will return to Paris in autumn 2024 to present Swiss artists at a number of major events, including Paris Design Week, Les Inaccoutumés Autumn 24, Swiss Dance Week, the Festival d’Automne and Performissima.
10–26 May 2024:
CCS On Tour in Metz
For the last stage of its French tour, the CCS travelled to Metz. Its programme there was part of the Passages Transfestival, which shares with the CCS a transdisciplinary DNA and a desire to highlight contemporary creation. The CCS also took the opportunity to weave a joint programme with the Franco-German Perspectives performing arts festival in Saarbrücken and the Constellations international digital arts festival, as well as with 49 Nord 6 Est – Frac Lorraine, Centre Pompidou-Metz, Centre d’art contemporain – la synagogue de Delme and NEST theatre.
7 March–5 April 2024:
The CCS as a guest at Les Inaccoutumés Spring 24
For its biannual festival, the Ménagerie de verre invited Fribourg’s Belluard Bollwerk festival and the CCS to join forces to develop a programme of live art. Over a period of five weeks, fifteen Swiss and French events took place in springtime Paris, crossing the borders between dance, visual arts, concerts and performance.
30 September–15 October 2023:
CCS On Tour in Bordeaux
For the fourth stage of its tour of France, the CCS took part in FAB, the International Arts Festival of the Bordeaux metropolitan region. Over two weeks, contemporary Swiss art was celebrated in a variety of ways, in conjunction with Scène nationale Carré-Colonnes, arc en rêve centre d’architecture, Frac Nouvelle-Aquitaine MECA, Capc – Musée d’Art contemporain de Bordeaux, Manufacture CDCN and Rocher de Palmer.
23–26 August 2023:
The CCS at the Aurillac International Street Theatre Festival
There was a Swiss focus at the Aurillac street theatre festival celebrating creation in public spaces. It highlighted Swiss creation that breaks free from traditional labels and performance venues, with a series of artistic events created both in- and outdoors, in situ and in urban and natural spaces.
4–14 May 2023:
CCS On Tour in Rennes
This third stage of the tour showcased Swiss artistic creations in the fields of video games, literature, performance, visual arts and the performing arts at various venues in Rennes, including Frac Bretagne, Théâtre National de Bretagne, La Criée, 40mcube, Théâtre de Poche Hédé-Bazouges, Théâtre L’Aire libre, Musée des beaux-arts de Rennes and Maison de la poésie.
12 January–12 February 2023:
The CCS at the International Biennale of Circus Arts in Marseille
At the Biennale Internationale des Arts du Cirque in and around Marseille, the CCS brought together eight circus artists who staged their work before a professional international audience.
18–26 January 2023:
CCS On Tour in Lyon
For this second stage, the CCS was back in Lyon for exhibitions, shows, concerts, performances, readings and literary events in partnership with local institutions BF15, TNG, SUBS, Théâtre de la Croix Rousse, Théâtre des Clochards Célestes, Périscope, Archipel and Villa Gillet.
18–26 November 2022:
CCS On Tour in Dunkirk
Performances, exhibitions, shows, encounters and installations throughout the city marked this first stage of On Tour, thanks to partnerships with local institutions such as Frac Grand Large, LAAC, Bateau Feu Scène nationale, Les 4Écluses (a contemporary music venue) and Château Coquelle.
October 2022–May 2023:
Series of graphic design dialogues
A series of graphic design dialogues, in partnership with the École nationale supérieure des Arts Décoratifs, inviting artists, graphic and other designers, and scenographers to share their thoughts and ideas.
14 September 2022:
CCS On Tour launch evening in Lyon
To mark the opening of the Lyon Contemporary Art Biennale and the launch of CCS On Tour, the Consulate General of Switzerland in Lyon hosted an artistic tour of the consulate’s residence and garden.
5 February–5 March 2022:
Tschüüss Festival at CCS Paris
Before the renovation work began, the CCS invited the public into its spaces one last time to celebrate Swiss art in all its forms at the Tschüüss Festival. The 30-day programme featured 40 artists and included screenings, concerts, shows, installations, performances, DJ sets and a celebratory closing weekend.
CCS On Tour
Follow all stages and details of CCS On Tour on the Centre culturel suisse website
Following a competition organised by the Federal Office for Buildings and Logistics (FOBL) in collaboration with Pro Helvetia, the project chosen was chosen that emerged from a Franco-Swiss collaboration between the offices of Thomas Raynaud in Paris and Truwant + Rodet + in Basel.
The CCS will reopen its doors in autumn 2025.