120 guests · 9 partners · 1 month · 90-minute build

THE BRIEF

A leading AI company wanted to bring researchers, developers and the tech community of France and Europe together for a fireside talk with its researchers. The setting had to match the brand: cultural, refined, unmistakably Parisian.

The venue was chosen. The production was not. Working from abroad, the team was stuck between French contracts, museum regulations and a language barrier. The event was at risk.

THE CHALLENGE

A national museum is not an event venue. The doors closed at 18:00. Guests arrived at 19:30. Ninety minutes to turn a gallery into an evening.

Every material fire-certified, down to the chairs in the Nymphéas room. Every vehicle, driver and plate declared 48 hours ahead, entering through a single gate in the Tuileries, under 3.5 tonnes, at walking pace. Insurance reviewed by the museum's legal team. A guest list screened by security. No signage on public ground. No water in the galleries.

One month to make it happen.

THE APPROACH

LRDV Agency took over from A to Z: venue, contracts, catering, scenography, light and sound, talent and logistics. On site in Paris, in French, as the single point of contact between client, museum and every partner.

The creative direction started with a moodboard. Quality and restraint. The brand present in the room, never loud. Food, furniture and flowers by Dalloyau. Light and sound by Avecom.

LRDV added a guided tour of the collection, so guests met Monet before meeting the researchers. Art and culture matter to this client. Now they were part of the programme.

Photographer and filmmaker were chosen for an editorial eye, not a corporate one. Music by Midva, a young artist found through Believe, set a warm, contemporary tone.

THE EVENING

Guided tour · Fireside talk · Cocktail dînatoire by Dalloyau · Live music by Midva

Every guest left with a gift bag from the museum: notebook, guide and pins.

THE RESULT

120 guests. A full Nymphéas room. Delivered on time, within every museum rule.

Three days later, LRDV produced the client's reception at Antwerp Design Week. Two weeks later, a dinner at Tate Modern.

"It was so dreamy. Jacobien, you killed it."

Head of Community Events · Leading AI company

IN COLLAB WITH

Photography · Natacha Mojaïsky

Video · Barnabé Cicéron · Red Cut

Music · Midva · Believe

Venue · Musée de l'Orangerie · with thanks to Anne Le Floch

Special thanks · Justine & Typhaine