GRONINGER MUSEUM

This museum is simply breathtaking! The building forms a peninsula just a stone's throw from the main railway station. It was designed by Alessandro Mendini, who entrusted the realization of the buildings to different architects. Philippe Stark designed the Chinese and Japanese porcelain pavilion. Austrian architects Coop Himmelb(l)au designed the colorful central building, the museum's signature building. Michele De Lucchi designed the building housing the collections of the De Ploeg group, the artists' movement made in Groningen. The museum's other buildings (hall, warehouse, store, café-restaurant, library) are by Mendini. These different styles reflect the diversity of the exhibitions on show. From the outside, the hall is a tower clad in a layer of gold, topped by four peaks. From the inside, it's a symphony of colors.

In the corridors, you'd think you were in Venice above the canals! We first enter a space devoted to church silverware, and the very old objects take on a new dimension in their innovative setting. The pavilion then presents works from the "de Ploeg" movement. Philippe Starck makes visiting the porcelain collection a playful experience. The space is a round room in which white curtains undulate, creating imaginary, supple walls. The collection mixes old and new works, including a lovely plate by Jeff Koons.

The scenography of the collections is incredible. Our real favorite is the Himmelb(l)au pavilion. This creation illustrates the architectural trend known as "deconstructivism", which aims to overturn all traditions in architecture and traditional elements such as windows, doors, etc., which are dissociated from their traditional function. The result is a grandiose, fin-de-siècle space dominated by concrete, steel and glass. This three-dimensional space is incredible and emotionally compelling. A metal footbridge leads across the works on display.

The museum is well worth a visit, not only for its building and collections, but also for its incredible scenography. Every detail has been thought through, and even a visit to the toilet is full of surprises! The restaurant is renowned and the decor, with its bright red walls, is superb. Check out the website for temporary exhibitions: in recent years, it has hosted the incredible David Bowie exhibition and the simply enchanting Chihuly exhibition.