Opened in June 2006, this building designed by Jean Nouvel stands on a metal structure supported by 26 columns dotted about at random 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, of which 3 500 are on display. The exhibits are presented according to their geographical origin: Oceania, the Americas, Africa and Asia. Four main material groups are represented: wood, fibres and fabrics, earth and pottery, and metal.