The Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation is a private Portuguese institution, created in 1956 by the testamentary wishes of its founder, a financier of Armenian origin and British nationality, who died
in 1955 in Lisbon, his place of residence since 1942. Its objectives are Art, Philanthropy, Science and Education.

The objectives of the Delegation in France of the Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation, opened in Paris in 1965, are to provide a high-quality international exhibition program, to contribute to the major debates around civil society, the social economy, foundations, Europe and culture by providing an excellent lecture program, and to promote the Portuguese language in
France and Europe, by highlighting the importance of its Library's collections and by offering a program of lectures and debates related to Portuguese-language literature and the humanities and social sciences, in partnership with various international networks.