Reopening of the LaM: a transformed museum

Following renovation work that began in September 2024, the LaM - Lille Métropole Museum of Modern Art, Contemporary Art and Art Brut, located in the Hauts-de-France region, has reopened its doors with a fresh new look. After 43 years, the museum continues to reinvent itself: with new visitor itineraries, new exhibitions and a new support programme for emerging artists, it continues to establish itself as a vibrant hub for cultural exchange.

Although the LaM reopened its doors in February 2026, its story began in 1979. Established following the donation of the collections of Roger Dutilleul and his nephew Jean Masurel to the Lille Urban Community, the museum opened in 1983 in Villeneuve-d'Ascq.

With a focus on works and artists rejected or misunderstood by institutions and the public, the two men built up one of the most significant collections of 20th-century modern art. Years later, with the renovations now complete, this museum-garden continues to honour their work by bringing together art brut, contemporary art and modern art.

A major refurbishment : The European Metropolis of Lille

Like many facilities that have stood the test of time, the LaM has had to carry out a number of refurbishments. With the aim of improving the visitor experience and comfort whilst working to optimise the energy efficiency of its buildings, the Lille European Metropolis has invested €27.2 million in the renovation project. The project aimed to reinforce the museum’s identity as a welcoming, vibrant space, open to everyone.

In total, 7,000 m² of roofing has been refurbished, with new glazing, lighting and furnishings installed, in order to comply with the latest environmental standards and to improve the accessibility and visibility of this museum-garden. Furthermore, with over 10,000 works, this restoration work has also provided an opportunity to carry out a comprehensive conservation and inspection programme across the entire collection. This process ensures the long-term preservation of the works.

As for the outdoor areas, the LaM retains its character as a museum-garden, with a sculpture park that extends the open-air exhibition spaces. Since its reopening, a new sculpture has been added to this outdoor trail. The museum is also set within the Parc du Héron, a 110-hectare natural area that forms the museum’s immediate surroundings and contributes to its identity.

A new programme: “Museum of Obsessions”

Whilst the museum’s facilities are being renovated and transformed, so too is the layout of the permanent collections. Entitled ‘Obsession’, this is conceived as an exhibition in its own right, bringing together the museum’s three major collections: modern art, art brut and contemporary art. Following a chronological sequence, the new layout promotes a free-flowing and immersive approach, in which obsession becomes both a driving force for creation and a mirror of the human condition.

In collaboration with the CNAP, the National Centre for Visual Arts, this new exhibition is inspired by the concept of the ‘Obsession Museum’ developed by Harald Szeemann. The idea behind it is simple: a museum’s collections should never become static. Thus, by choosing a theme that transcends the traditional boundaries of art, the LaM offers a novel approach, inviting each visitor to project their own experience of obsession.

Support for young people: a forward-looking programme

With a new layout, new visitor routes, landscaped outdoor areas and a new exhibition, the LaM is being reborn. But what about cultural outreach? To mark its reopening, the museum has launched a new programme dedicated to emerging artists, called raw. The aim is to support young artists in developing their projects.

By inviting artists to take over the space in this way, the LaM champions the vision of the museum as a living, ever-changing place. The artists featured in the ‘raw’ programme are Jessy Razafimandimby until January 2027, followed by Josèfa Ntjam, who will take over in March 2027, and Alfredo Aceto in November 2027.

As well as promoting artistic creation, the museum is also committed to engaging with its visitors. Admission to the LaM is now free for under-26s, and it offers a new programme of cultural events for everyone: a monthly festive late-night opening, ‘carte blanche’ evenings for artists, free Friday afternoons for senior citizens, and new exhibitions throughout the year.

To find out more, discover all the information on cultural venues in the Lille metropolitan area and plan your visit here, as well as our ‘Follow the Guide’ series on our Museum TV channel.