Grand Palais, Paris

Titled as the world’s largest existing glass and ironwork structure in the world, Grand Palais is an iconic French monument of the Rmn-GP. Situated in the heart of Paris, Grand Palais was built in 1900 for the Universal Exhibition of French art and became a designated historic monument in 2000 and you will visit all these places with our Europe holiday packages. The building is a piece of art comprising glass, classic stone façade and Art Nouveau ironwork.

The magnificent glass-domed roof and the rest of the architecture was the work of three renowned architects in France overseen by the famous French architect Charles Girault. Grand Palais comprises about 5000 square feet of iron/zinc roofing, 9400 tons of steel framework and 15,000 square meters of glass in the overall structure. Galeries Nationales, Palais de la Decouverte and the Nave are three major areas inside the building.

The Galeries Nationales is where the major art exhibitions take place in the city, the Palais de la Decouverte boasts an interactive science museum in the west wing of the building and Nave is known to host a plethora of social and cultural events. Grand Palais is the epitome of the French grandeur and is known to host legendary fashion shows, literary and food festivals, theatrical performances, and other art exhibitions.

Travelers can also relish an exotic French spread at the Mini Palais which is a restaurant-lounge located between Massive colonnades and the Nave. Enjoy the spectacular view of the city of Paris from the terrace while soaking in the beauty of this architectural marvel.

• The 240 m long stately nave hosts numerous significant domestic and international events, including: (horse riding, contemporary art, fairground, etc.).
• Large-scale exhibitions on artists who have made an impact on the history of art are organized by the national galleries (Picasso, Hopper, Renoir, etc.).
• Children may learn while having fun at the Palais de la Découverte, a science museum and cultural hub, thanks to its permanent collections and changing displays.Also Explore & Book: Chapelle Expiatoire Tickets Paris

Since Grand Palais is situated in the center of the city, tourists can reach this monument in multiple ways of transport easily. One can either walk down, rent a bike or car if the location is close by. There are also bus and metro lines that will take you directly to Grand Palais.

By Metro: Grand Palais has entries at both Champs-Elysees-Clemenceau and Franklin-D Roosevelt metro station. One can take the metro line 1, 9 or even 13 to reach either of the stations.

By Bus: Take the bus line 28,52,42,73,72,83,80 or 93 to get to Grand Palais

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If you want to experience the architectural beauty of the Palais in its complete glory, make sure you visit during the golden hour, i.e. between 3 pm to 6 pm during the day. If you want to have a scrumptious meal at the restaurant-lounge on the top floor and enjoy the stunning view of the city of lights from the top, it is recommended to visit between 7 pm to 10 pm in the night for the best experience. The Grand Palais is open for the public throughout the week except for Tuesdays.

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Location: The Grand Palais lies in the heart of the city in the western 8th district at the 3rd Avenue du General Eisenhower. This iconic monument is located very close to the historic Avenue des Champs-Elysees and the Arc de Triomphe. If you walk down further towards the east, you will also find the regal Place de la Concorde.

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History of Grand Palais

The construction of this Avant-garde building began in 1897 to prepare for the Universal Exhibition of 1900. Grand Palais became a gathering point in Europe in the late 19th century for showcasing the innovations and inventions by continents from all over the world. It took a total of three years and 1500 workers to finish this beaux arts-style architecture and it immediately began a vantage exhibition space.

During the initial period of World War I, The Palais was used as a military hospital and two Nazi propaganda exhibitions also took place towards the end of World War II. In 2000, the Grand Palais was finally given historic monument status, which persuaded the French government to accelerate the renovation process. Today, Grand Palais houses fashion shows and art exhibitions from the brands and artisans all over the world.

Chanel organizes its biannual fashion shows in the Grand Palais and many other activities related to cinema, sports, fine arts, fashion, music, photography, dance and more. The renovations and restorations are still undergoing in the Grand Palais to date and by 2023, it is expected to be fully restored to its original and spectacular design.

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Tips to Visit Grand Palais

1. It is advisable to take the metro or the bus directly to the Grand Palais to avoid the city traffic. There are about 2 to 3 metro stations that open directly to the Grand Palais.

2. Take out at least half of the day to visit the Grand Palais and don’t miss the Petit Palais right adjacent to the Grand Palais that is a great place for more art exhibitions in the city.

3. Try and visit the Grand Palais on the first Sunday of every month free of cost entry.

4. Make sure you do the bookings online and secure a spot to avoid purchasing the tickets at the Palais and waiting in the long queue.

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