Hector Guimard (1867-1942) was one of the most important Art Nouveau architects. Born in Lyon, he developed most of his work in Paris' western districts and on the Normandy coast. With the construction of a residential block in Paris between 1895 and 1898, the Castel Béranger, he achieved a personal style based on a new design concept that drew its inspiration from nature.

His later designs, such as those for the Paris metro entrances, were to make his work an undeniable reference point for European Art Nouveau architecture. Guimard revolutionised architecture at the time to such an extent that he developed a new design language that was dubbed "Style Guimard".

Le Cercle Guimard is a body whose headquarters are located in Paris. Its main aim is to protect Guimard's work and create a Guimard documentation centre and museum for the dissemination of his architecture and Art Nouveau in general.