12 Avenue Arthur GaulardThe City of Arts is a cultural center and tourist French located in Besançon, in Bourgogne-Franche-Comté. Designed by the French agency Archidev associated with the Japanese architect Kengo Kuma and inaugurated the April 5, 2013by the Minister of Culture Aurélie Filippetti, it houses an area of 11,390 m 2 over three floors, the regional conservatory of Besançon and the regional contemporary art fund of Franche-Comté.
The project was born in 2006 under the leadership of Raymond Forni, president of the regional council of Franche-Comté from 2004 until his death in 2008, associated with Jean-Louis Fousseret, mayor of Besançon and president of Grand Besançon Métropole since 2001.
In February 2007, four applications from architectural teams are selected to compete: Archidev + Kengo Kuma & Associates, Agence Manuelle Gautrand, Chaix & Morel et Associés, and Massimiliano Fuksas Architecture. July 4, 2007, the jury chose Kengo Kuma's project, ahead of those of Manuelle Gautrand in second position, Chaix and Morel, and Massimiliano Fuksas. Work begins on February 4, 2010, while the first stone of the new building was laid on May 4, 2010.