Les Floralies (1937)

18 January 2012

An extraordinary garden
Organised for the 1937 World Fair, the exhibition entitled les Floralies transformed the Nave into an immense greenhouse. The finest specimens of French and foreign horticulture were exhibited in a stunningly colourful and richly fragrant presentation.

Night-time view of the 1937 International Exhibition in Paris. Les Floralies © Pierre Jahan / Roger-Viollet

The month of June 1937 opened with the Floralies internationales exhibition, bringing greenery to the Grand Palais. During the show the glass roof acted as a giant hothouse for the star specimens of French flora. Each region with horticultural specialities sent examples of its finest species, perfect blooms that only the greatest care could produce. Hydrangeas, carnations, orchids and roses from the Loire Valley, the Paris region, and the Riviera vied for awards. The gardeners embellished an area of over twelve thousand square feet, and the aisles of the Grand Palais were redolent with heady fragrances.

The Figaro, manifestly enchanted by such a dream garden, gushed with undisguised chauvinism: "So many wondrous blooms can only serve to remind us that the art of the garden is essentially French. Not only in the borders of the Grand Siècle, the colourful perspectives of the gardens of Versailles, the Invalides, or other princely domains, this science has left it imprint on all eras. The love of fine blooms, trees, and the desire to decoratively organise the wonders of horticulture are in no way in decline, as this event proves."

An exhibition for all the family: "Loading, l'art urbain à l'ère numérique" at the Grand Palais Immersif

Article - 11 March 2024

On the accessible and original theme of street art, through an immersive trail, with a rhythmic soundtrack and interactive activities: Loading is the exhibition you've been looking for to delight the whole family over the holidays! Follow the guide.

Design goes the extra mile for sport! The trailer for the next exhibition at the Musée du Luxembourg

Article - 11 March 2024

From 13 March, the Musée du Luxembourg will be bringing two worlds together: sport and design. Explore the role that design plays in sports performance, through a selection of installations, projections and objects at the cutting edge of design!

‘Rosas Danst Rosas', A contemporary dance by Anne Teresa De Keersmaeker in response to Stein

Article - 24 January 2024

It was via the performing arts that the writer Gertrude Stein first found success, and it is in the performing arts that her influence endures. We have only to look at the creations of the dancer and choreographer Anne Teresa De Keersmaeker, who developed in the 1980s a minimalist style in response to Stein’s work!

Meanwhile, on the building site, the Grand Palais is back in full colour

Article - 15 November 2023

A monument of stone, glass and metal, the Grand Palais blends into the urban landscape. However, on closer inspection, it is in fact bursting with colour, and one of the challenges of the restoration work currently underway is to restore all its chromatic ranges.

Browse magazine