Thierry Carrier, “...On the other side”: paintings at the MCL Saint-Marcel
Happening now
What lies behind the door or the wall? At the MCL Saint-Marcel in Metz, in partnership with H Gallery in Paris, painter Thierry Carrier presents figurative canvases that show without imposing a story, leaving each visitor to find their own meaning.
Images without a story
A child soldier in what may be a bygone America, a woman lying at the water's edge, a young girl in the middle of a road: these scenes look like freeze-frames from a film with no script. Their deliberate ambiguity sends visitors back to their own references.
The painter's view
Thierry Carrier compares his paintings to pebbles picked up on a beach: it is the beach that interests him, and the horizon you scan from it. He cites The Truman Show and its wall at the end of the world, where a crack might hint at the other side.
The Raymond Banas gallery, inside a community arts centre
These canvases hang in the Raymond Banas gallery, opened in 1969 inside the Maison de la culture et des loisirs de Metz, according to the tourist office. A community education association active since 1960, the MCL runs more than fifty activities each season, from modern languages and theatre to contemporary music and children's programmes. Its gallery champions contemporary art: Tina Gillen, Peter Lang and Vincent Ruffin have all shown here in recent years. Born in Bort-les-Orgues in 1973 and trained at the Beaux-Arts in Toulouse, Thierry Carrier lives and works in Souillac. Here, his painting shares the building with the workshops of a busy local institution.
From rue Saint-Marcel to the Temple Neuf: an autumn stroll
The visit extends naturally outdoors, since rue Saint-Marcel lies close to the Moselle and the Île du Petit-Saulcy. On the island, the Temple Neuf, inaugurated in 1904 in the presence of Wilhelm II, shows off architect Conrad Wahn's Rhenish Neo-Romanesque style, in contrast with the classical Place de la Comédie. On Saturdays the gallery opens only in the afternoon, so keep the morning for the riverside and head back to the MCL from 2 pm. On weekdays the building stays open until 8.30 pm, which suits an end-of-day visit. The exhibition closes on Saturday 14 November at 6 pm.
Practical information
Address: MCL Saint-Marcel, 36 Rue Saint Marcel, 57000 Metz
Frequently asked questions
Where and when?
From 10 October to 14 November 2026: Galerie Raymond Banas, MCL Saint-Marcel, 36 rue Saint-Marcel, Metz.
How do I find the MCL when I arrive in Metz?
The safest option is to map a route to 36 rue Saint-Marcel from the station, or to ask the MCL for directions on +33 3 87 32 53 24. Its website gives no details on bus lines or parking.
Which area should I stay in near the gallery?
The centre around the cathedral suits best, as you can reach the MCL and the Moselle without a car. To compare it with the Impérial and Outre-Seille districts and then look for accommodation, open Staylaro's guide « Se loger à Metz ».
Is admission free, and when can I visit?
Yes, admission is free according to the tourist office. In term time, the MCL opens Monday 4 pm to 8.30 pm, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday 10 am to noon and 2 pm to 8.30 pm, Wednesday from 2 pm, and Saturday 2 pm to 6 pm.
