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The Grand Palais

Emblematic of the GrandPalaisRmn institution that manages it, the Grand Palais is a living place open to all, where culture is celebrated in all its forms.

The history of the Grand Palais

The Grand Palais through time, a history in motion!

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Sadi Carnot (1837-1894)
GrandPalaisRmn (musée d'Orsay), Hervé Lewandowski

Sadi Carnot (1837-1894), homme politique, président de la République

1892

Entering the century

The President of the French Republic, Sadi Carnot, decides to organize the 1900 World's Fair in Paris.

Vue de la colonnade en construction du Grand Palais
GrandPalaisRmn (musée d'Orsay), Hervé Lewandowski

Vue de la colonnade en construction du Grand Palais - Exposition universelle de 1900, Paris

1897

A massive construction project

The Grand Palais work begins, with only 3 years to complete this monumental project.

Exposition de sculptures au Grand Palais pendant l'Exposition universelle de 1900
Ministère de la Culture, GrandPalaisRmn, Henri Deneux

Exposition de sculptures au Grand Palais pendant l'Exposition universelle de 1900

1900

World's Fair

Combining steel, stone and glass, the Grand Palais opens to the public in May 1900 for the World’s Fair, making a remarkable impression.

Salon de l'automobile de Paris, au Grand Palais, 1912
BnF, GrandPalaisRmn, image BnF

Salon de l'automobile de Paris, au Grand Palais, 1912

1901

Major events

New trends find their place at the Grand Palais, which hosts from 1901 major annual exhibitions and equestrian competitions.

Hôpital du Grand-Palais. Opération de la greffe osseuse, les deux opérés deux jours après l'opération.
Ministère de la Culture, GrandPalaisRmn, Opérateur R

Hôpital du Grand-Palais. Opération de la greffe osseuse, les deux opérés deux jours après l'opération.

1914

The face of war

During World War I, the Grand Palais is requisitioned and becomes a military hospital and rehabilitation center.

Guerre 1939-1945. Karl Heinrich von Stülpnagel, général allemand, commandant en chef des forces d'occupation en France
Roger-Viollet

Guerre 1939-1945. Karl Heinrich von Stülpnagel (1886-1944), général allemand, commandant en chef des forces d'occupation en France de février 1942 à juillet 1944, à l'exposition de la France européenne. Paris, Grand Palais, août 1941.

1940

The dark hours

State-owned monument, the Grand Palais is requisitioned during the Occupation and becomes a witness to the events of World War II.

File d'attente pour l'exposition "Pablo Picasso", au Grand-Palais, en février 1967.
Roger-Viollet 

File d'attente pour l'exposition "Pablo Picasso", au Grand Palais, Paris, février 1967.


 

1966

The national Galleries

The national Galleries host their first major exhibitions under the guidance of André Malraux, Minister of Culture.

GrandPalaisRmn, Maxime Chermat, 2024

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2000

Protecting the monument

After the Nave was listed in 1975, the Grand Palais is classified as a historic monument in its entirety.

GrandPalaisRmn, Patrick Tourneboeuf, 2023

2021

The restoration project

The Grand Palais undergoes a major restoration project to restore it to its former glory.

@yonel1981 sur Instagram

2024

Paris 2024 Games

For the second time in its history, the Grand Palais participates in the Olympic Games and hosts the Olympic and Paralympic fencing and taekwondo events.

Collection GrandPalaisRmn

2025

The complete opening

After four years of renovation, the Grand Palais opens its doors as a symbol of a culture that is open to all and constantly evolving.

The Grand Palais today

Grand Palais, vue de l'Escalier d'Honneur depuis les balcons
Simon Lerat pour GrandPalaisRmn, 2024

Grand Palais, vue de l'Escalier d'Honneur depuis les balcons

A living space open to all

After four years of renovation, the Grand Palais begins a new chapter in its history. A place of all possibilities, it invites you to vibrate to the rhythm of a festive and inclusive cultural program: international exhibitions, shows, performances and encounters with the great figures of contemporary creation.

Thought of as a true living space, the Grand Palais opens its doors to everyone. Several freely accessible areas offer new ways to enjoy the monument: stores, bookshops, restaurants and the Rotonde du Palais de la découverte allow you to rediscover its remarkable architecture. Special attention is paid to young visitors, with specially visiting tools and dedicated family areas such as the Salon Seine and the Palais des enfants. Throughout the year, the Nave is revealed from the Place centrale through a monumental curtain designed by Studio MTX and le19M Maisons d'art, with the support of CHANEL. Composed of embroidered elements, it highlights the expertise of Métiers d'art and dialogues with the Grand Palais’s iconic glass roof.

Open, lively, generous, the Grand Palais affirms its vocation as a meeting place for the arts, where culture is experienced and shared in all its forms.

Vue de la Nef du Grand Palais (intérieur)
Simon Lerat, GrandPalaisRmn, 2024

Committed and inclusive

The Grand Palais is committed to a sustainable and accessible culture. Its restoration project, certified High Environmental Quality (HQE), has enabled a reduction of 4 tonnes of CO₂ in 2024, reflecting the efforts made to combine environmental responsibility with heritage preservation.

Through GrandPalaisRmn, the establishment continues and amplifies this dynamic. Responsible for the Grand Palais and its cultural programming, the GrandPalaisRmn deploys an ambitious action plan: promoting equality and diversity, reducing its ecological footprint, supporting the local economy and fostering inclusion.

With two certifications for its commitment to diversity and professional equality, it includes environmental clauses in its public contracts and designs eco-responsible exhibitions. By favoring short supply chains, it promotes local productions, made in France and Europe. 

Its commitment also extends to cultural inclusion, through programmes providing access to art for distanced audiences, and exhibitions promoting the plurality of perspectives and narratives.

The restoration project

A look back at a metamorphosis!

After major restoration work, the Grand Palais welcomes you for a unique and renewed experience.

Look behind the scenes of this architectural and human adventure through exclusive content and the perspectives of three artists, bearing witness to the major stages of this ambitious project.

Behind the scenes
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Nef du Grand Palais pendant les travaux
Nef du Grand Palais pendant les travaux
GrandPalaisRmn, Patrick Tourneboeuf, 2023

Vue de la Nef Sud, depuis la Porte Charretière Sud, Mai 2021

Vue de la Nef Sud, depuis la Porte Charretière Sud, Mai 2021

Nef du Grand Palais pendant les travaux en soirée avec éclairages
Nef du Grand Palais pendant les travaux en soirée avec éclairages
GrandPalaisRmn, Patrick Tourneboeuf, 2023

Vue de la Nef Nord, depuis le centre de la Nef, Décembre 2021

Vue de la Nef Nord, depuis le centre de la Nef, Décembre 2021

Nef du Grand Palais pendant les travaux avec les échafaudages
Nef du Grand Palais pendant les travaux avec les échafaudages
GrandPalaisRmn, Patrick Tourneboeuf, 2023

Vue de la Nef Centrale et les échafaudages au niveau de l’entrée principale de la Nef, Septembre 2022

Vue de la Nef Centrale et les échafaudages au niveau de l’entrée principale de la Nef, Septembre 2022

Nef du Grand Palais pendant les travaux avec les échafaudages qui s'élèvent
Nef du Grand Palais pendant les travaux avec les échafaudages qui s'élèvent
GrandPalaisRmn, Patrick Tourneboeuf, 2023

Vue de la Nef Nord, depuis la Porte Charretière Nord, Janvier 2023

Vue de la Nef Nord, depuis la Porte Charretière Nord, Janvier 2023

Le sol de la Nef du Grand Palais pendant les travaux
Le sol de la Nef du Grand Palais pendant les travaux
GrandPalaisRmn, Patrick Tourneboeuf, 2023

Vue de la Nef Sud, depuis la Porte Charretière Sud, Février 2023

Vue de la Nef Sud, depuis la Porte Charretière Sud, Février 2023

Our resources

Explore endlessly
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Wander and learn
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Open your ears wide
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GrandPalaisRmn, Simon Lerat, 2024

The Grand Palais in your pocket

Download the Grand Palais app for free from the app stores:

  • Follow our exhibitions and events
  • Enhance your visits with audio-guided tours
  • Import your tickets and subscriptions

Explore the monument

Book Visites du monument Grand Palais
Vue extérieure du monument Grand Palais
Vue extérieure du monument Grand Palais
Patrick Tourneboeuf

Visites du monument Grand Palais

Guided tours of the Grand Palais

Toute l'année

Didier Plowy, GrandPalaisRmn 2025

A children's palace in the heart of the Grand Palais

The Palais des enfants is a new, fully restored 620 m² space located beneath the Rotonde of the Palais de la découverte, specially designed for children aged 2 to 10 and their carers. Here, the Palais de la découverte (Universcience) and the GrandPalaisRmn combine their skills to offer a poetic and playful exploration blending art and science.

Thanks to immersive scenographies, interactive manipulations, scientific devices and artworks, the youngest visitors are invited to stimulate their curiosity, daydreaming and critical thinking, while expanding their vision of the world.

Discover

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Privatisation and space rental

The Grand Palais offers a selection of modular spaces, suitable for professional, cultural or charitable events. Thanks to a variety of configurations and an exceptional architectural setting, these venues lend themselves to hosting both public and private events. Our dedicated team is here to help you design and implement your event.

Find out more

Do you have a question?

Où se trouve le Grand Palais ?

Le Grand Palais se trouve au cœur de Paris, à quelques pas des Champs-Élysées. L’entrée principale est située Square Jean Perrin, au 17 avenue du Général Eisenhower, 75008 Paris, où vous trouverez le hall d’accueil. L’entrée de la Nef est située 7 avenue Winston Churchill.

Consulter le plan interactif.

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