Les Forges

History and initial purpose

Built in the 1870s, it was in this building that the pieces of metal used in the construction of locomotives were made.

The current Les Forges building was built on the site of the Parc des Ateliers in the 1870s, after the destruction of older forges that were located where La Grande Halle now stands.

Les Forges contained cranes mounted on pivots and jibs that allowed hot parts to be transported quickly between furnaces, forges, and steam hammers.

The parts were then transported to the fitting department, sometimes called turning department, which took care of the machining and finishing with the help of machine tools. Les Forges building was modernized between 1935 and 1939 with the installation of compressed air power hammers.

Building renovation

Damaged by a fire in the 1980s, Les Forges was the first building renovated by LUMA Arles.

When the Parc des Ateliers closed, in 1984, Les Forges building was used as a storage area by the Ducros and Moltonel companies. Its roof was partially destroyed in a fire in 1986, after which the building was abandoned for several years.

Les Forges were renovated in 2014 by Selldorf Architects as part of the transformation of the Parc des Ateliers undertaken by LUMA Arles.

The building is divided into a 2,930 m² of interior space and an exterior courtyard of 1,415 m².

Today

Les Forges contains exhibition spaces whose modular two-story layout allows a direct connection with the artwork.

The remaining interior of the building houses a centralized biodiesel-fueled cogeneration system that contributes to the site’s energy production.

The exterior courtyard, located at the western end of the structure, within the original building, is a multi-purpose space that includes a restaurant/café : the Terrasse des Forges.

Exhibitions and events at Les Forges

Since its opening, Les Forges has hosted major exhibitions and events.

The Forges served as a space for curatorial reflection and experimentation, hosting the symposium The Future Curatorial What Not and Study What? in collaboration with CCS Bard College (2014), the exhibition Imponderable: The Archives of Tony Oursler (2015), and the colloquium How Do Institutions Think? (2016).

It has also featured exhibitions from the Rencontres de la photographie, as well as Picture Industry: A Provisional History of the Technical Image, 1844–2018 by Walead Beshty (2018–2019).
In 2019, the L.A. Dance Project performed Benjamin Millepied’s choreography I fall, I flow, I melt, while artist Rirkrit Tiravanija presented his installation DO WE DREAM UNDER THE SAME SKY in 2018.

Since then, the venue has presented Ian Cheng: Life After BOB: The Chalice Study (2021), The Afrophon’ Fair Reading Room: Contemporary Art Books from Africa (2022), Sky Hopinka: The Sun Comes In Whenever It Wants (2022), and Though it’s dark, still I sing: Works from the 34^thBienal de São Paulo (2022–2023).

In 2024, Rirkrit Tiravanija returned with A LOT OF PEOPLE, and Peter Fischli presented People Planet Profit from July 5, 2025, to January 11, 2026.

Pictures of Les Forges

20181013_LUMA_PICTURE INDUSTRY_VERNISSAGE-19611

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During the exhibition Picture Industry: A Provisional History of the Technical Image, 1844–2018 in 2018–2019.
© Victor & Simon

20181013_LUMA_PICTURE INDUSTRY_VERNISSAGE-19602

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240531-LUMA-RIRKRITTIRAVANIJA-VICTOR&SIMON_IRISMILLOT-25 - 1920 x 1280

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Les Forges were conceived to host a variety of artistic practices and mediums.
© Victor & Simon / Iris Millot

240603-LUMA-RIRKRITTIRAVANIJA-VICTOR&SIMON_GRÉGOIREDABLON-17 - 1920 x 1440

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A section of Les Forges during the exhibition A LOT OF PEOPLE by Rirkrit Tiravanija, in 2024.
© Victor & Simon / Grégoire d'Ablon

240302-LUMA-All’zone-ADRIANDEWEERDT-9 - Large

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240302-LUMA-All’zone-ADRIANDEWEERDT-13 - Large

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In the Cour des Forges, the Terrasse des Forges restaurant invites visitors to take a break and enjoy a meal at large shared tables.
© Adrian Deweerdt

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@anne-sylvie bonnet - 1907 - Luma Arles - Approved - Split Step - General-8

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In 2019, the L.A. Dance Project brought Les Forges to life with I fall, I flow, I melt, a creation by Benjamin Millepied.
© Anne-Sylvie Bonnet

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In 2016, as part of the Rencontres d'Arles, Maurizio Cattelan and Pierpaolo Ferrari transformed the Cour des Forges with their TOILETPAPER exhibition.
© Hervé Hôte