Choose your country/language to continue your visit

Pictogram identifying a member of the VISITWallonia.be Pass
  • Attractions
  • Museum or Interpretation Centre

In Viroinval, the Musée du Petit Format d’Art Contemporain welcomes you in an intimate atmosphere. It invites you to discover the richness of its collection made up of donations by international artists participating in the Petit Format de Papier biennial.

Originally: an international biennial

Since 1981, every 2 years, a selection of artists from around the world is invited to propose a work on paper whose subject and technique are free. Participation guarantees the exhibition: the works are always framed with the same principle, same frame, same master key, same hanging, for equal valorization of each.

Originally, at the end of the 1970s, the artist Gabriel Belgeonne shared with a few people, all art lovers, his address book and a concept: easy and inexpensive exchanges by post. This idea assumes that the format and thickness are limited hence the choice of a DIN A4 format. From these constraints, the essence of the biennial emerged: the Small Paper Format.

Following the significant number of donations of unsold works from artists who responded to the first invitations, a museum was created to house them.

A contemporary art museum

For a long time without premises, the MPFAC developed the concept of a “suitcase museum” allowing works to travel and meet a wide audience through traveling exhibitions.

Today located in the cultural center of the entity of Viroinval, the museum houses an impressive collection of more than 4,500 works on paper by internationally renowned artists, which it reveals on various occasions:

  • exhibitions with activities for schools
  • initiation sessions for adults
  • a permanent exhibition room open 250 days a year.

The collection offers a broad panorama of techniques on paper and current artistic approaches.

Enjoy the experimental scenography of its permanent exhibition: there are more than 250 works to discover in its drawers.

We do our best to keep you informed. It's best, however, to check the latest news with the attraction you are visiting, or operator you have booked an activity with. Read our travel advice.
This information is given for indication purposes only, best to check with the site you hope to visit before heading there - by phone, email, social media or simply by visiting their website.

VISITWallonia.be Advantage Pass

Your Advantage Pass

Official logo of the VISITWallonia.be pass

Use the Free Walking Bag

Take advantage of the free Sac balade to explore different artistic techniques in the Parc de Nismes. Free activity from 01/01/2024 to 22/09/2024 on presentation of your VISITWallonia.be Pass at reception.

Equipement

Shop

Visites

Guide available/groups - FR - NL

VISITWallonia.be Pass

VISITWallonia.be Pass

Enjoy Wallonia for less with our selection of special offers.

Get your Pass
Brochures

Brochures

Wallonia, Destination Nature

Download