Grand Palais is a historical building, a museum and an exhibitions hall located on the famous Champs-Élysées in Paris.
It is one of the most visited landmarks in the French capital.
We’ll give you a brief glimpse of what you’ll find at Grand Palais.
This includes the Galeries Nationales, the Palais de la Découverte, and the Nef du Grand Paris.
A number of tours conveniently stop at the Grand Palais as part of their itinerary.
Architecture & Design
The Grand Palais is representative of the Belle Epoque.
Its glass-domed roof makes it easy to recognize.
The façade is built in classical style out of stone, while the ironwork and glass additions represent the modern Art-Nouveau.
Beautiful statues featuring colorful mosaics decorate the exterior.
The Great Staircase is another Art-Nouveau feature made out of wrought-iron.
Exhibitions at Grand Palais
Grand Palais hosts the hottest and most exciting exhibitions of paintings, photography and sculptures, both classic and contemporary.
Most exhibitions are constantly changing.
One of the most known and debated pieces of art in the Galeries Nationales is the Leviathan.
You can walk into this 35m sci-fi looking sculptures of spheres.
Palais de la Découverte
The Palais de la Découverte is a science museum located inside the Grand Palais.
It offers a wide range of attractions.
From educative exhibitions of electrostatics, volcanoes and the history of Earth to a mice school, electromagnetism experiments and even a planetarium.
There are dozens of activities for all age groups.
Nef du Grand Palais
The Nef du Grand Palais is an event hall inside the Grand Palais where all kinds of cultural and social events take place.
This includes fashion shows, the Contemporary Art Fair and the Antiquarian Biennial.
The most spectacular element of this section is the glass and steel dome ceiling, which spreads through the Galeries Nationales section as well.
How to get to Grand Palais
Metro
Take Line 1, 9 or 13 to the Franklin-D.-Roosevelt or the Champs-Elysées-Clemenceau stop.
Grand Palais has entries at both stations.
You can purchase a one-trip ticket for around EUR 1.70 or invest in a Navigo Pass to cover transportation for your entire stay.
RER
Take Line C to the Invalides stop.
Bus
If you prefer going there by bus to get a chance to catch a glimpse of Paris, take Line 28, 42, 52, 63, 72, 73, 80, 83 or 93.
History
he World’s Fair of the 1900 took place in Paris and the Grand Palais was part of this event.
This took 3 years to contruct.
The Petit Palais and Pont Alexandre III were also made for the World’s Fair.
Interesting Facts
- Police Station – In the basement of the Grand Palais there is a police station located there to protect the valuable exhibits.
- Chanel Fashion Shows – The Chanel House organizes luxurious fashion shows inside the Grand Palais.
- The Pi Mistake – In the Pi Room at Palais de la Découverte all the digits of Pi are carved on the wall, but up to 1949, when it was corrected, one of the digits was false.
