Düsseldorf: a metropolis dedicated to culture

Art lovers are sure to enjoy a stay in Düsseldorf. A metropolis of theatres and a renowned opera house, the city also boasts 25 museums. These include two of the finest institutions dedicated to the fine arts in Germany, with world-class collections. These include the K20 and K21 Kunstsammlung NRW (Art Collection of the State of North Rhine-Westphalia).

In the undulating black granite building of the K20, you can discover the masterpieces of the German Expressionists. But also paintings by Braque, Léger and Picasso, not forgetting American pop art and works by Düsseldorf's most famous resident artist, Joseph Beuys. The K21, housed since 2002 in the former State House (Ständehaus) is dedicated to contemporary art. Behind the somewhat severe neo-renaissance facade, white walls bathed in light from a gigantic glass roof. Further proof of Düsseldorf's passion for contemporary architecture.

Another must-see for art lovers is the Ehrenhof, a complex of Bauhaus-style buildings built along the Rhine in 1925/1926 to house an international exhibition on sport and well-being. Today, this is where you'll find Düsseldorf's Museum of Fine Arts, the Kunstpalast, with its 70,000 or so objects - from painting to sculpture and the decorative arts.

Le Kunstpalast includes one of Europe's most prestigious collections of glass art. More original is KIT, a raw concrete space wedged between two road tunnels along the Rhine. Now a contemporary art gallery, it is a must for young artists, whether painters, photographers or dancers...

Perhaps a special place should also be given to Benrath castle. This little château is like a bonbonnière as they were loved in the 18th century. Its pink, sculpted façade is a splendid example of the Rococo style. It houses a museum, the only one of its kind in Europe, recounting 2,500 years of garden history.

The Tonhalle, between concerts and exceptional meetings

Another prestigious venue - which can also be used as the setting for a MICE event - is the Tonhalle. Another Bauhaus-style structure built at the same time as the Ehrenhof, the building was originally designed as a planetarium. The golden star at the top of the dome and the sculptures of figures representing the planets on the outside staircase leading to the main courtyard remain from its original function.

Rebuilt in the 1980s, the Tonhalle is now one of Germany's most prestigious concert halls. It is home to the Düsseldorf Symphony Orchestra. The main auditorium has a capacity of 1,854, while the chamber music hall can accommodate 300 people and the rotunda in the foyer has between 200 and 400 seats, depending on the event. An incredible venue for a prestigious MICE operation or simply to appreciate the exceptional acoustics of the venue during a concert!