Pierre Paulin (1927–2009) was born in Paris and died in Montpellier, and is widely regarded as one of the greatest French designers of the 20th century. His work helped define the emergence of industrial design in France during the post-Second World War reconstruction era.
Among his most celebrated pieces are the Mushroom Chair (1959), the Ribbon Chair (1966) and the Tongue Chair (1968), all of which have become iconic symbols of modernity and enduring aesthetic relevance.
The exhibition at Musée Fabre brings together all the major works of this singular figure, exploring how his career both reflects and interrogates the richness of design as a discipline — one Paulin always conceived as being first and foremost in service of the public.
The exhibition is open from 11:00 to 18:00 on both Saturday 19 and Sunday 20 September 2026, within the framework of the Journées européennes du patrimoine.