What Palais Galliera does

Palais Galliera, officially the Musée de la Mode de la Ville de Paris, is the City of Paris's public fashion museum and one of fourteen institutions managed by Paris Musées, a public administrative establishment, since 1 January 2013. It houses a permanent collection of nearly 200,000 works spanning 18th-century costume to contemporary haute couture, alongside a Resource Centre of 130,000 documents including 5,500 commercial catalogues dating from 1866, 50,000+ periodical issues, 1,500 couture patterns, and 26,000 fashion ephemera from 600+ fashion houses. The museum operates a rotating exhibition program (e.g., the three-part La Mode en mouvement series 2023-2025, Stephen Jones retrospective 2024-2025, Rick Owens retrospective April 2025) and reaches audiences through guided tours, family workshops, school programs, a dedicated mobile application, and a digital library (Bibliothèque Numérique) with 1,200+ freely accessible resources launched with the January 2025 website relaunch.

The business model combines five revenue streams: exhibition ticketing (€10-15 per visitor via the Paris Musées ticketing platform), private event and venue rental (€1,450-€12,000+ for groups of 18-400), guided tours and workshops (€5-16), publication sales (€25-40 per catalogue), and partnership-driven exhibitions co-developed with flagship fashion houses including Chanel, Hermès, Fondation Azzedine Alaïa, Archives Balenciaga, and Fusalp. Distribution is primarily direct through the 16th-arrondissement physical site and the Paris Musées online ticketing system, with a dedicated Business Development Officer handling corporate event sales. Marketing runs through owned digital channels (website, newsletter, Instagram, YouTube, Spotify playlists, mobile app) supplemented by media partnerships with FNAC, France Télévisions, Elle, and Konbini.

As a public cultural institution, Palais Galliera has approximately 84 permanent staff and 30 temporary employees across two Paris sites, is led by Director Émilie Hammen (appointed July 2025, succeeding Miren Arzalluz), and reports to Paris Musées General Director Anne-Sophie de Gasquet under City of Paris oversight. No private equity, venture funding, or external ownership structures apply; the museum operates as a government cultural entity with revenue supplemented by City of Paris budgetary support, ticketing, and venue rental. The underlying technology stack is modest: a website platform managed by Paris Musées with Steamulo as hosting partner, a mobile app on iOS and Android, and the Paris Musées Collections Portal for digital asset distribution, with no public API or developer platform.

Name

Palais Galliera

Legal name

Palais Galliera

Website

https://palaisgalliera.paris.fr

Company type

Private

Founded year

1902

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

Palais Galliera is the City of Paris's public fashion museum, managing a 200,000-work collection from the 18th century to today across temporary exhibitions, a research Resource Centre, and a digital library, serving general visitors, researchers, fashion houses, and corporate event clients.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Fashion Museum and Cultural Institution

NAICS

Museums (712110), Museums, Historical Sites, and Similar Institutions (712)

akta.pro primary industry

Art Museums (THAJADAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Museum & Landmark Guided Tours (Skip-the-line/Docent-led) (THAJAAAC), Museum, Zoo & Attraction Gift Shops (CRALAJAG)

Keywords

• Fashion museum
• Costume collection
• Fashion exhibitions
• Fashion archive research
• Cultural heritage exhibits

Headquarters

HQ city

Paris

HQ country

France

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Exhibition Tickets: Museum admission fees for temporary and collections exhibitions with various pricing tiers (full price, reduced price, free for under 18s). Combined tickets available for visiting multiple exhibitions.
2. Private Events and Venue Rental: Rental of museum spaces (court of honour, galleries, gardens) for private events including fashion shows, gala dinners, cocktail receptions, and filming/photo shoots. Pricing based on formula type and guest count.
3. Publications and Catalogues: Sale of exhibition catalogues and publications (e.g., Stephen Jones catalogue at 40€, Paris Mode Sports at 25€)
4. Guided Tours and Activities: Revenue from guided tours, workshops, and educational activities for various audiences including families, schools, and adults
5. Photography Services: Photo printing services at photobooth (3€ per print) for exhibition souvenirs

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Palais Galliera operates the Musée de la Mode de la Ville de Paris, presenting rotating temporary exhibitions (e.g., Stephen Jones, Rick Owens) and ongoing collections displays that draw from a permanent collection of nearly 200,000 fashion and costume works. Beyond exhibitions, the museum offers paid guided tours, family and school workshops, an appointment-only Resource Centre for fashion research, a free public Digital Library, venue rental for fashion shows and corporate events, and sale of exhibition catalogues. The institution is publicly owned and operated by the City of Paris through the Paris Musées public administrative body.

Product overview

Palais Galliera operates as the City of Paris Fashion Museum, managing a collection of nearly 200,000 fashion items from the 18th century to present. The museum's offerings include rotating temporary exhibitions (such as Stephen Jones and Rick Owens retrospectives), ongoing collections displays (including the 'Fashion on the Move' series), an appointment-only Resource Centre with 130,000+ documents, an online Digital Library with 1,200+ accessible resources, educational programs for schools and families, a mobile application, event privatization services, and press resources. The institution is managed by Paris Musées public administrative body.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Temporary Exhibitions Paid rotating exhibitions exploring fashion themes, designers, and historical periods, featuring major solo shows for designers such as Stephen Jones and Rick Owens as well as thematic exhibitions on craftsmanship and historical fashion; intended for the general public, students, researchers, and fashion professionals.
• Collections Exhibitions Ongoing paid displays from the museum's permanent collection of nearly 200,000 fashion items spanning from the 18th century to present day, including the recurring Fashion on the Move (La Mode en mouvement) series exploring fashion's relationship with sports and movement.
• Resource Centre (Centre de Documentation) Free research facility available by appointment housing approximately 130,000 documents including 13,000 works, 5,500 trade catalogues, 2,000 auction catalogues, 50,000+ periodical issues, 1,500 couture patterns, and 26,000 fashion ephemera; designed for curators, academics, postgraduate students, and fashion historians.
• Digital Library (Bibliothèque Numérique) Free online archive providing access to digitized fashion resources including commercial catalogues, periodicals, patterns, and cutting manuals from 1830-2030, with over 1,200 freely accessible documentary resources in PDF and flipbook formats; intended for global researchers, students, and the general public.
• Palais Galliera Mobile Application Free dedicated mobile application available on iOS and Android providing visitor guides, exhibition tours, museum history, programming information, and audio/video content for on-site and remote engagement.
• Educational Programs and Workshops Paid guided tours, family activities, school programs, and accessibility-focused visits designed for diverse audiences including children (workshops at 16€), families (family visits 5-7€), students, researchers, and visitors with disabilities; offered on a pay-as-you-go basis through the Paris Musées ticketing platform.
• Event Hosting and Venue Rental Paid venue rental services for fashion shows, gala dinners, cocktails, filming, and photo shoots across the museum's court of honour, peristyle, gardens, and interior salons, with pricing from 1,450€ for private tours up to 12,000€ for cocktail receptions for up to 400 guests; catering and event planning support available; targeted at corporate clients, fashion houses, and media productions.
• Exhibition Catalogues and Publications Paid sale of exhibition catalogues and publications such as the Stephen Jones catalogue at 40€ and Paris Mode Sports at 25€; sold through the museum shop and online, accompanying major exhibitions.

Quantifiable outcome

• Nearly 200,000 works in the permanent collection
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments8 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration4 records

Feature3 records

Partnerships

20 partnerships are on record, tiered flagship, core and minor.

• ChanelflagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 8 February 2025Chanel continued as a key loan partner for La Mode en mouvement #3 exhibition, providing heritage pieces that complement the museum's collections.
• ChanelflagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 26 April 2024Chanel provided exceptional loans and exceptional support for the La Mode en mouvement #2 exhibition. The partnership demonstrates the museum's ability to secure backing from the most prestigious fashion houses.
• Musée National du Sport (Nice)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerProvided exceptional loans for La Mode en mouvement #2 exhibition, bringing sports-related fashion and costume items to complement the museum's collections.
• Musée National du Sport (Nice)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerContinued partnership providing exceptional loans for winter sports fashion exhibition content in La Mode en mouvement #3.
• Fondation Azzedine AlaïacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerProvided exceptional loans for La Mode en mouvement #2 exhibition from the foundation dedicated to the late designer's work.
• Bibliothèque ForneyminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerParis library providing exceptional loans of fashion-related documents and archives for exhibition.
• Bibliothèque historique de la Ville de ParisminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerHistorical library of Paris providing exceptional documentary loans for exhibitions.
• Musée Carnavalet - Histoire de ParisminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerParis history museum providing historical fashion items and accessories for exhibition.
• Collection Émile HermèscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPrestigious private collection providing exceptional loans of equestrian and sports-related fashion items.
• Collection Émile HermèscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerContinued partnership providing exceptional loans including equestrian wear and sports accessories for La Mode en mouvement #3.
• Patrimoine HermèscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHeritage division of Hermès providing exceptional loans for winter sports and equestrian fashion sections.
• Archives BalenciagacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBalenciaga's historical archive providing exceptional loans for fashion history exhibition.
• Jean-Charles de CastelbajacminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerDesigner providing personal collection pieces for exhibition on sports and fashion history.
• FusalpminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFrench ski wear brand providing heritage pieces showcasing evolution of French ski fashion.
• Le Coq SportifminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFrench sportswear brand providing heritage cycling and sports clothing for exhibition.
• Yohji YamamotominorStrategic or Co-development PartnerJapanese designer providing exceptional loans for La Mode en mouvement #2 exhibition.
• Paris MuséesflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe public administrative institution that manages all 14 City of Paris museums, including Palais Galliera since 1 January 2013. Provides centralized services including ticketing, digital infrastructure, and institutional support.
• SpiceClubminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner organization for the À l'Unisson contemporary dance event during the 2024 Cultural Olympiade.
• FNACminorGTM or Marketing PartnerMedia sponsor for Stephen Jones exhibition, providing promotional support.
• France TélévisionsminorGTM or Marketing PartnerFrench public broadcaster as media sponsor for Stephen Jones exhibition.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Museum at FIT (Fashion Institute of Technology): New York fashion museum operating rotating exhibitions of historically and artistically significant fashion. Comparable in mission (fashion-only museum), exhibition cadence, and educational programming.
• The Costume Institute (Metropolitan Museum of Art): Fashion-focused department at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York. Operates the annual Met Gala and blockbuster designer exhibitions, competing for the same global fashion exhibition audience.
• Musée des Arts Décoratifs (MAD Paris): Paris museum dedicated to decorative arts and fashion, with permanent fashion galleries (including the fashion galleries inaugurated in conjunction with Galliera's history). Most directly comparable peer in Paris with overlapping fashion exhibitions and a similar institutional setting.
• Victoria and Albert Museum (V&A): London museum with a major fashion collection spanning the 17th century to today. Comparable in collection depth, exhibition programming, and the model of a fashion collection within a broader arts institution.
• Kyoto Costume Institute (KCI): Japanese fashion research institute and museum with one of the world's most important Western costume collections. Comparable for collection depth, research focus, and digital publishing initiatives.
• Musée Yves Saint Laurent Paris & Marrakech: Paris-based fashion museum dedicated to a single designer's oeuvre, sharing the same tourist audience, fashion-house partnerships, and exhibition model. Comparable in scale and Parisian positioning.
• MoMu - Fashion Museum Antwerp: Belgian fashion museum showcasing the Antwerp Six and contemporary fashion. Comparable as a city-backed fashion museum with curated temporary exhibitions and a strong designer-house partnership model.

Regional players

• Palais de Tokyo: Major Paris contemporary art center operating large-scale exhibitions and venue rentals. Comparable as a Paris-based cultural venue competing for the same tourist, fashion-brand event, and corporate clientele.
• Musée du Textile et de la Mode (Mulhouse): French textile and fashion museum based in Mulhouse. Operates in a comparable niche (textile/costume) but is regional to France rather than Paris-based, and at a smaller scale.

Broad incumbents

• Centre Pompidou: Major Paris public cultural institution with broad arts programming and large visitor base. Comparable as a City of Paris-backed cultural venue competing for tourism footfall and event-rental revenue, though fashion is not its core focus.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCz1qwBc-1Rg90Hj97HHvR7g
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/palais-galliera
• Instagraminstagram.com/palaisgallieramuseedelamode
• Xx.com/palaisgalliera
• Facebookfacebook.com/PalaisGalliera

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Palais Galliera