In Saint-Chamond, the old industrial site of the Marine steelworks has transformed into a museum that’s set to shake up the genre. Le Mausa, Museum of Urban Art and Street Art, officially opened its doors on May 24th, and let's just say it certainly stands out. With its 10,000 m² of space, including 2,000 m² completely free, this cultural giant is shaping up to be an oddity in the French museum landscape. The goal? To make art accessible to everyone, without any fuss or mustiness.
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© Eddie Colla - Mausa Vauban
Artists from all corners of the world
It’s Stanislas Belhomme, a passionate urban art entrepreneur, who is at the helm of this slightly crazy project, which has already been successfully tested in Neuf-Brisach and Bitche. Here, he envisioned something big, really big: rotating exhibitions of international artists every six to eight months, events, live performances, workshops for both kids and adults, and a bar-restaurant with a terrace just waiting for DJ sets to turn it into a stylish after-work spot.
© Denis Meyer - Mausa Vauban
Goal: to attract 150,000 visitors per year
But what truly makes this place special is its ability to retain the raw soul of the old hall, with its industrial vibe and XXL volumes. The first exhibition, titled “Nomad”, showcases 25 artists from all walks of life, eager to make the walls and eyes come alive. And this is just the beginning: Belhomme is already thinking about Brooklyn for a future New York branch.
© SETH - Mausa Vauban
With a goal of 150,000 visitors a year, this hybrid museum aims to make Saint-Chamond a new epicenter of urban culture. In short, street art comes off the streets but doesn’t lose any of its spirit. It just finds a cozy spot… in Halle 07.
Address: Novacierie, 42400 Saint-Chamond, France