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Grand Palais Overview

The Grand Palais is among the most recognisable buildings in Paris. It was designed for the 1900 Exposition Universelle and is distinguished by a huge glass dome that is flanked by French flags. Since 2000, this masterwork of stone, steel, and glass architecture has been protected as a historical monument. The Nave, the National Galleries, and the Palais de la Découverte are its three main attractions.

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.

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Highlights

• 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

How To Reach

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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Best Time To Visit

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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Other Essential Information

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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Day Wise Timings
Open Today
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Normal Timings:
10:00 AM to 10:00 PM
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10:00 AM to 10:00 PM
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10:00 AM to 10:00 PM
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10:00 AM to 10:00 PM
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10:00 AM to 10:00 PM
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Normal Timings:
10:00 AM to 10:00 PM
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10:00 AM to 10:00 PM
Point of Interest for Grand Palais
Architecture
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Architecture

The square's "the oasis"—a densely vegetated region in the middle—benefits from being mostly brick-paved. The Museum of the Resistance, which was formerly housed on this property but was dismantled to make room for the Grand Palais. It will be situated on the building's upper floor and have a distinct entrance from the theater. Here, in keeping with the conventions governing the military and public facilities of the 19th century, the buildings and surrounding outdoor areas are arranged in a pleasant manner. This collection of spaces is treated with simplicity and uniformity of materials, furniture, and vegetation to achieve the goal of restoring their former scale.

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Glass Dome
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Glass Dome

The main room, which is over 240 meters long, was built with a barrel-vaulted roof made of iron, steel, and glass, making it the example of the vast transparent buildings inspired by London's Crystal Palace that were required for large crowds of people before the invention of electricity. Although the internal arrangement has since undergone significant changes, the main hall was originally connected to the other areas of the palace along an east-west axis by a grand staircase in a style that combined Classical and Art Nouveau

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National Galleries
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National Galleries

National galleries host a variety of art exhibitions all year long by well-known international painters like Paul Gaugin, Pablo Picasso, Auguste Renoir, and others. The gallery is split into two areas, and two exhibitions or events are constantly going on at once in each section. The Clemenceau Square serves as the gateway to the Galeries Nationales du Grand Palais.

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The Nave
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The Nave

Art exhibitions
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Art exhibitions

A Parisian landmark is the Grand Palais. It is a distinctive exhibition space that was built for the 1900 World Fair. Large-scale exhibitions can be held in the nave of the Grand Palais, a vast area, while temporary exhibitions of the works of notable painters are shown in the national galleries, which are more classical in design. The Grand Palais is one of the most well-liked exhibition venues in Paris thanks to its exceptional programme and distinctive location.

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Science Museum
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Science Museum

The Confederation of Intellectual Workers vice president Andre Leveille is credited with having the original notion, but at the time, nothing of the sort ever transpired. The French physicist Jean Perrin, who received the Nobel Prize in 1926 for his work on the atom, decided to start building a science museum in Paris in 1932 with the hope of introducing the public to the wonderful world of research and discovery.

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Tourism Board Alliances

Grand Palais FAQs

Is the Grand Palais free?

Entry to the permanent exhibitions is free of cost for visitors below the age of 26 years and 13 EUR for the rest of them. The entry fee for the temporary exhibitions and shows differ from exhibition to exhibition. On the first Sunday of every month, the entry price is free for everyone to the permanent exhibitions except for the Aquarium inside.

Can you go inside the Grand Palais?

Yes, there are three different entrances for the Grand Palais- Palais de la Découverte, the National Gallery and the Nave. Visitors can visit the permanent exhibitions throughout the year. However, there are restrictive entries and access passes for the visitors to the temporary exhibitions, shows or festivals that are chargeable.

How old is the Grand Palais?

The Grand Palais holds a rich history of approximately 123 years old as the construction for the exhibition hall began in 1897 for the Universal exhibition in 1900. After all these years, the Grand Palais still stands to be a prominent French architectural monument and a popular tourist attraction in Paris.

How much does it cost to visit the Grand Palais?

You can access the permanent exhibitions inside the Grand Palais for free if you are below the age of 26 years. For visitors above the age of 26 years, entry to the permanent exhibition is 13 Euros.

What is the Grand Palais used for?

Grand Palais showcases the art exhibitions, holds an interactive science museum and a wide variety of social and cultural events related to fashion, food, science, sports, cinema, music, photography, fine arts, dance and more.

What are the other attractions in Paris that I can book via Thrillophilia?

Here are some of the top attractions in Paris you can book tickets for via Thrillophilia:

  1. Montparnasse Tower Tickets
  2. Musee De L Orangerie Tickets
  3. Catacombs Paris Tickets
  4. Palace Of Versailles Tickets
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