Institut finlandais (The Finnish Institute in France) is an independent and multidisciplinary platform between Finland and France.
In collaboration with international institutions, academia and creatives, Institut finlandais offers a diverse programme – both on-site and off-site – including art and design exhibitions, film series, concerts, discussions, events, and gastronomy through the institute’s own Café Maa. In the performing arts, contemporary dance is currently in focus. Institut finlandais plans to further develop its cultural programme in the fields of music and literature.
Through a strategic approach, active communication and an eye for development, Institut finlandais seeks to build connections, to inspire authentic dialogue and to engage with various audiences. We build strategic, creative collaborations between Finnish and local actors with the aim of long-term, impactful partnerships.
Institut finlandais was opened to the public in 1990. Designed by the architect Juhani Pallasmaa, the facilities of the institute are located in a former cinema, in the heart of the Quartier Latin in Paris, which is an attractive international meeting place and platform to present Finnish culture, know-how and society. The premises were renewed during a major renovation in 2017–2018, led by architect Pekka Littow’s Littow architectes, and opened again to the public in July 2018. Studio Joanna Laajisto has designed the interior decorations.
Institut finlandais’ onsite venue consists of a gallery, a cinema and Café Maa. Located on rue des Écoles, our gallery provides a showcase for Finnish art and design, while the 60-seat auditorium on the ground floor offers regular film series as well as discussions, meetings and events. The Café Maa is located in the Great Hall, which combines art exhibitions and events with sustainable gastronomy in an inviting atmosphere. Café Maa promotes Finnish food culture and provides a platform for creatives to showcase their work to a wide audience in Paris.
Institut finlandais is maintained by the Foundation of the Finnish Institute in France.
Fondation Institut finlandais de France, strategy 2025-2027
Staff
Tuula Yrjö-Koskinen, Director
tuula.yrjo-koskinen(at)institut-finlandais.fr
Laura Vanto, Producer (Gallery, Cinéma)
+33 (0)6 08 74 32 63
laura.vanto(at)institut-finlandais.fr
Tanja Juntto, Producer (Mobility, Gastronomy, Performing Arts)
+33 (0)6 43 75 73 94
tanja.juntto(at)institut-finlandais.fr
Justine Sarton, Communications Officer
+33 (0)6 76 42 59 30
justine.sarton(at)institut-finlandais.fr
Johann Maheut, Technician
+33 (0)7 81 57 15 75
johann.maheut(at)institut-finlandais.fr
Katariina Uusitalo, Administration
+33 (0)6 38 88 03 22
katariina.uusitalo(at)institut-finlandais.fr
Linda Peltola, Communications Assistant
linda.peltola(at)institut-finlandais.fr
Anna-Sofia von Weymarn, Productions Assistant
anna-sofia.vonweymarn(at)institut-finlandais.fr
Sarah Choualhi, Café Maa
sarah.choualhi(at)institut-finlandais.fr
Café Maa
cafemaa(at)institut-finlandais.fr
Board of Administration
Président
Johanna Mäkelä
Vice-Présidente
Salme Salokannel
Membres
Johanna Gullichsen
Henri Vogt
Linda Liukas
Max Mickelsson
Anna-Kaisa Rastenberger
Jyrki Simovaara
Secretary
Katariina Uusitalo
Visit us
Institut finlandais
60, rue des Écoles
33, rue du Sommerard
75005 Paris
Contact
info@institut-finlandais.fr
Tel. +33 7 68 44 07 66
Opening hours
Accessibility
60, rue des Écoles
33, rue du Sommerard
75005 Paris
Institut finlandais is open to all public, free of charge. Our premises are easily accessible by public transportation.
Métro
Cluny-La Sorbonne (10)
Saint-Michel (4)
Odéon (4, 10)
Bus
N° 21 – 27 – 38 – 63 – 75 – 86 – 87
RER
Saint-Michel (RER C)
Cluny – La Sorbonne (RER B)
Vélib
Sorbonne – Ecoles (Station N° 5030)
Sorbonne – Saint-Jacques (Station N° 5002)
Pierre Sarrazin – Saint-Michel (Station N° 6031)
Institut finlandais is accessible for wheelchair users.
Our bathrooms are gender neutral.
If you have other questions regarding accessibility, please call us +33 (0)7 68 44 07 66 or write to us at info(at)institut-finlandais.fr.
Sustainability at Institut finlandais
The cultural sector can have a significant contribution to accelerating environmental action. Institutions in art and culture have the power to bring people and communities together, create emotional engagement and thus help art meet science on the mission towards a more sustainable future. The cultural sector is also a part of the climatic problem and must play its part by committing to carbon-cutting targets.
Sustainability needs to be on the agenda for every actor and at Institut finlandais, we strive to take into account all of its aspects. We strive towards environmental and social sustainability in all our activities at Institut finlandais. Sustainability and ecological production are core values at Institut finlandais. The institute follows The Finnish Cultural and Academic Institutes’ (SKTI) environmental guidelines and aims to actively come up with solutions for minimising its environmental impact.
Institut finlandais is dedicated to reducing the environmental impact of the organisation’s activities. Environmentally friendly values are promoted and are an important part of the institute’s activities. This is noticeable in everything we do, from how we act daily and to who we choose to work with. Ecology sets the base for the planning and implementation of Institut finlandais’ activities. Environmentally friendly values are an important part of the selection criteria for our different projects.
Our Institute wants to set an example and encourage all actors in the cultural field to take actions, to adopt green habits and to draw their own green guidelines.
In January 2022, Institut finlandais hired a consultant to support us in the work towards becoming more sustainable and getting the Label EnVol sustainability certificate. You can read more about the Label EnVol here.
Principles for safer space
Society’s civilization, social conscience and strength is measured by how it treats its marginal groups. Accessibility, diversity, equality and integration of marginal groups are important for us.
Institut finlandais is open to all. Institut finlandais’s job is to make sure that our venue is a safe and inclusive space for both its visitors and its employees.
We do not accept inappropriate treatment of others nor discrimination of any kind. We treat all visitors, artists and staff equally and strive towards creating a safer space as an independent and multidisciplinary platform.
Opportunities for cooperation
Institut finlandais is committed to producing a diverse cultural programme in collaboration with the international creative industries, both on and off its premises. The Institute’s activities strengthen international dialogue in the context of different artistic and creative sectors.The Institute aims to produce content that respects sustainability and equality. We plan our programming independently, based on our strategy for each period, but we are also open to suggestions. Please note that programming is planned for a period of approximately one year. Institut finlandais welcomes suggestions and offers of cooperation in connection with the programme. You can send your proposals via this programme proposal form.
This programme proposal form is also available in Finnish.