When Nouvel failed an entrance examination at the École des Beaux-Arts of Bordeaux, he moved to Paris where he won first prize in a national competition to attend the École nationale supérieure des Beaux-Arts.
Cando Nouvel suspendeu o exame de entrada na École des Beaux-Arts de Bordeos, mudouse a París onde gañou o primeiro premio para estudar na École nationale supérieure des Beaux-Arts.