Casa Franca-Brasil
Rua Visconde de Itaboraí 78, Centro, Rio de Janeiro, Southeast Brazil, 20010-060
Among the first neoclassical buildings built in Brazil, the Casa França–Brasil is now an architectural highlight of Rio de Janeiro’s Centro neighborhood. While it formerly served as a customs house, today the landmark is home to a contemporary art museum that hosts a range of exhibitions and events.
The basics
While the building had a functionary role for much of its existence, in 1990 it was reconceptualized as a boundary-pushing museum, and works by Joan Miró, Pablo Picasso, and Henri Cartier-Bresson have all been displayed there. Today, the museum hosts temporary exhibitions, concerts, and talks that engage with Rio de Janeiro’s cultural and political identity. The Casa França-Brasil is close to other historical highlights of the Centro neighborhood, so it often features on history walking tours and private excursions.
Things to know before you go
The Casa França-Brasil is free to explore, and no reservations are required; most visits last around an hour.
A wheelchair ramp is placed in front of the building, and its galleries are accessible to visitors with reduced mobility.
There is a snack bar on site for visitors in need of a break and a bite.
How to get there
The Casa França-Brasil is located at Rua Visconde de Itaboraí, 78 in Rio de Janeiro’s Centro neighborhood. If using public transport, take the Metrô to Uruguaiana/Centro (roughly 10 minutes away on foot), take the tram to Praça XV, make use of local bus lines, or even disembark at the Praça XV ferry terminal. Taxis and rideshare services also make getting around easy.
When to get there
The Casa França–Brasil is open every day except Mondays, from morning until early evening. It also reserves one hour on Wednesday mornings for people with intellectual and mental disabilities. Its exhibition and events calendar is always changing; it’s advised to research ahead of your visit to see what’s on.
What to see at Museu do Amanhã
The Casa França-Brasil is just minutes from one of Rio de Janeiro’s most popular destinations: the cutting-edge Museu do Amanhã (Museum of Tomorrow). Housed in a strikingly designed building by Santiago Calatrava, the museum is an applied sciences museum with multimedia exhibitions that explore humanity’s future.
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