France Pavilion’s pulsating theatre of life

The theme of the France Pavilion is ‘Hymn to Love’.

The France Pavilion at the 2025 World Expo in Osaka showcases the very best of what the country as to offer, celebrating crafts, arts and innovation to the theme of a timeless ‘Hymn to Love’. 

Strategically located at the Inspiring Lives zone opposite the Japan Pavilion, the France Pavilion is designed by French architecture studio, Coldefy with Italian design and innovation practice, CRA-Carlo Ratti Associati, and is envisioned as the ‘theatre of life’, reflecting everyday rhythms through architecture while opening up dialogue on forms of love – for oneself, for others and for nature. Illuminated by a series of suspended transparent acrylic rods, the pavilion features two 17m high fabric curtains on both sides, just like a theatre stage, animated by the movements of the visitors moving along the dramatic copper steps. 

The copper staircase and suspended rods that frame the front of the Pavilion.

Upon the entry to the indoor section of the Pavilion, visitors are greeted by Pulsations, an immersive experience designed by GSM Project and visual artist Justine Emard. Engulfed by an audio-visual pulse from the moment of entry, visitors will get to experience a constant pulsation accompanying them throughout their journey through the Pavilion, as well as pulsing lights that explores the universal rhythm that connects humans, technology and the living world. 

Pulsation by GSM Project and Justine Emard.

Visitors will then make their way into the Louis Vuitton permanent exhibition, which showcases a hand sculpture entitled ‘The Cathedral’ by Auguste Rodin and 75 exceptionally crafted trunks. The Rodin sculpture serves as a symbol for Louis Vuitton’s ode to savoir-fair and the enduring craftsmanship and ever-evolving creativity. A second installation transports visitors into a dream-like world, which revolves around a ‘sphere of trunks’ that comes to life at the heart of a video installation by Japanese artist, Daito Manabe. 

The Louis Vuitton permanent exhibition.

Louis Vuitton’s Sphere of Trunks.

Before taking an escalator down, visitors get to enjoy pas-de-trois, an original audiovisual work that takes one on an immersive journey through the Paris skyline, complemented by 3 dancers from Ballet Preljocaj. Set atop the rooftop terraces of the Centre Pompidou, the dancers perform a virtuoso choreography that is a poetic ode to love, weaving together an invisible thread of love. 

Pas-de-trois, performed by dancers from Ballet Preljocaj.

The Miraculous Garden greets visitors at the bottom of the escalator, and its focal point, a 1,000-year-old olive tree transported all the way from France, surrounded by a tranquil reflecting pool. The garden presents slices of nature taken from different environs of France, from the mountains to the coast. The garden then transports visitors into the subterranean landscapes of Alsace, through the Descent into the Heart of the Earth installation designed by GSM Project and Justine Emard, which tells the alchemical story of transformation: earth, sun and vine coming together with human expertise to give birth to Alsation wine. 

The Miraculous Garden, where a 1,000-year-old olive tree stands tall.

The Descent into the Heart of the Earth by GSM Project and Justine Emard.

A notable highlight of the Pavilion is the Dior permanent exhibition. Offering a poetic odyssey dedicated to the love of savoir faire, the timeless Bar suit presented in the colours of the French flag as well as over 400 emblematic white toiles are revealed at the heart of a monumental installation, alongside 3D-printed Dior perfume bottles. A tribute to craftsmanship and handmade garments, the House of Dior demonstrates the excellence of Parisian haute couture, all while celebrating the fashion house’s savoir faire. The installation also saw specially curated artworks by Japanese artist, Yuriko Takagi and a reinterpretation of the Lady Dior bag by Japanese architect, Kazuyo Sejima.

The three timeless Bar suits by Dior.

Over 400 emblematic white toiles at the heart of the Dior permanent exhibition.

The last exhibition of the Pavilion, brings the Pulsations experience full circle, with visitors getting to experience ‘Across the Archipelago: the Great Pulsation’, a combination of heritage pieces and multimedia show that is a powerful final immersion in the concept of love. Comprising three conceptual islands, this installation brings forth the powerful bonds forged between France and Japan, linking parallel histories with how both countries approach heritage and wildlife conservation. They include artefacts rescued from the fires of Notre-Dame Cathedral and Shuri Castle, as well as the famous Itsukushima torii and the Abbey of Mon Saint-Michel.

Across the Archipelago: the Great Pulsation.

Outside the Pavilion are 4 large-scale reproductions of famous sculptures, the originals being currently displayed at the Lourve in Paris. These masterpieces include ‘Psyche Revived by Cupid’s Kiss’ by Antonio Canova in 1787, ‘Venus Genetrix’ by Callimachus, ‘Mercury Abducting Psyche’ by Adrien de Vries and ‘Apollo of the Belvedere’. 

Replica of ‘Psyche Revived by Cupid’s Kiss’ by Antonio Canova in 1787.

The France Pavilion, with its unique exhibitions and unforgettable combination of heritage and multimedia, makes it one of the most popular pavilions at the 2025 World Expo in Osaka, Japan. Recording an average of over 28,000 visitors per day, the France Pavilion has received 3 million visitors in only 4 months! 

Located within the Empowering Lives zone, the France Pavilion is open from 9am to 9pm everyday until the conclusion of the 2025 World Expo in Osaka, Japan. For more information on the Pavilion, check out https://www.franceosaka2025.fr/en