Backed by Mayor Delanoe and intended to break down boundaries between art producers and public, ‘Le Cent Quatre’ is one of those very French institutions that combines an avowedly non-elitist approach with intelligent programming. Artists from all over the world are invited to develop and show their work in the 16 workshop spaces, and offered all-round support, in return for a willingness to open up the creative process to involve viewers. The 15,000 sq/m complex, a 19th-century municipal behemoth in the 19th arrondissement, also has a cafe and pizza truck, an inexpensive restaurant, a dedicated House of Children (like a creative indoor playground), a bookshop and a concept store for pop-up retail action.