Frac Lorraine
The Frac Lorraine, also known as 49 Nord 6 Est, builds and shares a public collection of contemporary art on a regional scale. Nomadic when it was founded in 1983, it settled in 2004 into a setting that contrasts with the works it holds: the Hôtel Saint-Livier, one of the oldest private mansions in Metz. Its mission? To show and circulate today's creation, far beyond its own walls.
A regional contemporary art collection
France's regional contemporary art funds (Fracs) were created in the early 1980s to spread living art throughout each region. The Frac Lorraine follows that mission: it builds a public collection, conserves it and circulates it through loans and exhibitions. Numbering several hundred works, the collection stands out for its close attention to the place of women artists and to contemporary forms, including immaterial works such as performance. It is far more than objects hung on a wall.
From nomadism to the Hôtel Saint-Livier
For its first twenty years, the Frac Lorraine had no walls of its own: it exhibited from place to place across the region. Only in 2004 did it settle for good in Metz, in the Hôtel Saint-Livier, regarded as the oldest private mansion in the city, with origins dating back to the Middle Ages. The nickname "49 Nord 6 Est" comes from the building's geographic coordinates. The contrast between these ancient walls and the most current art is exactly what makes a visit memorable: modernity in dialogue with old stone.
A lively, committed programme
49 Nord 6 Est does more than hang works on walls: it offers a changing series of temporary exhibitions, along with talks, debates, screenings, concerts and performances. The programming, known for being demanding and at times daring, invites you to think as much as to look. It is a place to visit with an open mind, where you don't always know in advance what you'll discover — and that is exactly its appeal. Check the current programme before you come so you don't miss a highlight.
Infos pratiques
Adresse : 1 bis Rue des Trinitaires
Questions fréquentes
What does "49 Nord 6 Est" mean?
It is the other name of the Frac Lorraine, taken from the geographic coordinates of the Hôtel Saint-Livier that houses it.
Since when has it been based in Metz?
Since 2004, in the Hôtel Saint-Livier. Founded in 1983, it was nomadic for its first twenty years or so.
What is there to see?
Regularly changing contemporary art exhibitions, plus talks, debates, screenings and performances. The programme changes often, so it's best to check it before your visit.
Is there an entrance fee?
Access to the exhibitions at 49 Nord 6 Est is usually free. Check the conditions and opening hours on the Frac's website before you visit.
Wikimedia Commons — M.Strīķis
