Opened in June 2006, the building* designed by Jean Nouvel stands on a metal structure, covered in wood and warm shades of plaster, upheld by 26 posts dotted about apparently randomly as if to resemble the trees of a forest. A wall of plants designed by botanist Patrick Blanc covers the northern façade. The collections*** include nearly 300 000 objects, 3 500 of which are on display. The pieces are presented according to their geographical zone of origin: Oceania, America, Africa and Asia. Five themes are illustrated according to material: wood, fibre and fabric, earth and pottery, metal.