Grand Palais in Paris. Grand Palace
The majestic Grand Palace of Fine Arts (Le Grand Palais) adorned Winston Churchill Avenue at the very end of the 19th century. Construction of a large exhibition center in the Beaux-Art style began in 1897 and was completed in the spring of 1900 in time for the opening of the World Exhibition.
Thoughts about the beautiful and their embodiment
The beginning of the construction of the Grand Palais was preceded by a competition of architectural projects, which did not determine a single winner. According to the decision of the competition commission, the ideas of the architects Henri Deglane, Albert Louvet, Albert Thomas were recognized as the most interesting, and Charles Giraud was entrusted with the overall coordination of the work.
The building of the Grand Palace with a facade 240 meters long was erected on a part of the territory that was formerly occupied by the Palace of Industry, which did not meet the requirements of the time. It represents the culmination of the development of the eclectic Beaux-Arts style. Elements of classicism architecture are harmoniously combined in it with the constructions of the Art Nouveau era. The Paris Grand Palace belongs to those examples of architecture at the turn of the century, when the engineer acquires equal rights with the architect in shaping the aesthetic appearance of the building.
The impressive building with an area of 77 thousand m2 is located along the "republican axis" running from east to west. The large nave of the palace and the transverse paddock were designed by A. Deglan. He also owns the authorship of the colonnades along the facades, the model for which was the work of V. Lalu during the reconstruction of the Louvre.
Designed by A. Louvet, the central part of the building is covered by a magnificent dome. The weight of its metal structure and glass panels is 9 thousand tons, and highest point the vault is located at a height of 45 m. The western wing or Antin Palace (Palais d'Antin) was built by the architect A. Thomas. Use in the construction of the Grand Palace great amount glass allows us to call him the heir to the aesthetics of D. Paxton, who built the Crystal Palace in London in 1851.
decor art
The monumental copper sculptural compositions of Georges Rechipon are symmetrically installed on the sides of the palace portal at a height of about 40 m. Closer to the Champs Elysees is the sculptural group “Immortality Conquering Time”, and from the side of the Seine, the composition “Harmony triumphing over Discordia” is the first to be installed. The facade of the palace is also decorated with numerous bronze statues by sculptors Alexander Falgier and Victor Peter.
Many halls of the Grand Palace are decorated with mosaic drawings. The floor of the Elliptical Hall is paved with brown, beige and greenish sandstone tiles. Its pattern repeats the cardboards proposed for interior decoration by the artist Louis Gist. 
Ten mosaic panels are located at a great height under the peristyle of A. Deglan. Their total area is 273 m2, and the total length of the work of art is 74 m. The plot of the mosaic paintings by Auguste and Rene Martin, created according to the sketches of Louis Fournier, was the history of great civilizations. Each episode focuses on the art of a particular region: ancient Greece, Mesopotamia, ancient egypt, the French Middle Ages, the Italian Renaissance, India, South=East Asia, Africa, China, Japan and the Americas.
Unity in Diversity
Upon completion of the construction of the Grand Palais, as expected, it became one of the leading cultural and exhibition centers in Paris. But if its western wing is the Antin Palace, since 1937 it has been constantly occupied by the exposition of the Museum of Discoveries and Inventions, then the eastern part of the palace has been used very diversely.
Along with the organization of indispensable temporary art exhibitions, in a number of halls there were architectural workshops, a customs office, a police station, the Center for German and Slavic Studies, a regional center for cultural affairs, the Mission for Photographic Heritage, and the National Gallery in different years. 
The creation in 2007 of a single center of culture and art made it possible to introduce greater rationality in the use of the palace. Now it houses the National Gallery du Grand Palais, the Palace of Discoveries, the rehearsal rooms of the Comédie Francaise theater. The large-scale reconstruction of the Grand Palace, which is coming in 2020-2023, will transform the building with more than a century of history and prepare it to host fencing and taekwondo competitions during the Paris 2024 Olympics.
Grand Palais (translated as “Grand Palace”) is a Parisian architectural monument located on the banks of the Seine on the edge. Prestigious exhibitions and salons are regularly held here.
The Grand Palais des Beaux-Arts was built in Paris for the Universal Exhibition of 1900 on the site and instead of the spacious but uncomfortable Palais des Industries of 1855. Now its main purpose is art exhibitions.
The building of the palace is classified as a historical monument.
A competition was organized for the architectural project for the palace, as a result of which it was not possible to reach a consensus and give preference to any one author. It was decided to entrust the project to four architects, each of whom was responsible for his own area of work: Henri Deglane, Albert Louvet, Albert-Felix-Théophile Thomas and Charles Giraud.
The main nave, almost 240 m long, forms a majestic building with a high glass roof. The construction of the palace took 9057 tons of metal (for comparison, at the Orsay station - 12000, at - 7300).
The building is made in eclecticism, characteristic of the Beaux-Arts style. The Grand Palais, as it were, sums up the tastes of the Belle Epoque, but at the same time expresses the end of some concepts in architecture, when the architect is both a creative person and an engineer and plays the most significant role. This palace is one of the last examples of the era preceding the era of electricity. Of great importance here is given to structures that transmit light.
There are sculptural compositions in front of the two entrances to the palace.
Inside the palace is decorated with mosaics.
In winter (from mid-December to early January), the Grand Palais hosts the largest indoor skating rink in the world.
Grand Palais opening hours
The expositions are open from 10.00 to 20.00 daily, except Tuesdays.
On Wednesdays - until 22.00.
Ticket price for the exhibition at the Grand Palais
Ticket prices vary by exhibition.
The standard ticket price for a full fare is 11 euros, with discounts (16-25 years old, have a document with you) - 7 euros.
Active special offer for groups of 4 people, of which 2 are youth 16-25 years old - 35 euros.
Persons under 16 years of age, disabled people and accompanying persons are admitted free of charge.
How to get to the Grand Palais
The Grand Palace is located at 3, avenue du Général Eisenhower.
Lines 1, 9 Franklin D. Roosevelt station; lines 1, 13 station Champs-Elysées - Clémenceau
Line C station Invalid (Invalides)
The Grand Palais (Grand Palace) on the Champs Elysees is a luxurious building in the Beaux-Arts style, a major cultural and exhibition center.
It was built for the 1900 World's Fair. At first they doubted whether it would be possible to overshadow success eiffel tower at the last show? We decided that this time the emphasis would be on art. The Grand Palais des Beaux-Arts (full name of the Grand Palais) became part of a massive redevelopment of the western part of Paris.
Construction was difficult. The soil could not bear the weight of the building, 3400 oak piles were needed, because of this the estimate was greatly exceeded. It required a huge amount of stone, steel, rubble, bricks, equipment and labor. One and a half thousand builders also created problems - strikes broke out.
The result was worth it. A majestic building with a steel frame, a huge glass roof, a large number of statues, friezes, and mosaics appeared. Bronze quadriga by Georges Resipon crown both wings of the facade - allegorical statues represent Immortality, ahead of time, and Harmony, triumphant over discord. An inscription on the pediment proclaims that the Republic dedicates this building to the glory of French art.
From the very beginning, the Palace has become a venue for exhibitions - dedicated to innovation and technology and, of course, art. It was here that Matisse and Gauguin gained recognition, it was here that cubism first made itself known, led by Picasso, who was still unknown to anyone.
During World War II, the building was requisitioned as a military hospital with a thousand beds. Artists and sculptors who were not subject to mobilization decorated the wards or made molds for prostheses. During the occupation, the palace was used for Nazi propaganda exhibitions, and during the liberation of Paris, as the headquarters of the Resistance.
Today, the Grand Palais is still an artistic center. Exhibitions, fashion parades (the Chanel fashion house holds its shows here), car dealerships, horse shows, book fairs, live concerts, the World Fencing Championship - it is difficult to list all the events taking place under the glass roof of the Grand Palace of Fine Arts.
The Grand Palace in Paris enjoys unprecedented popularity - the majestic architectural structure has stood on this site since 1892. Most often, the building is used as an exhibition hall that tells about the rich culture of France to visitors.
Paris Grand and Petit palaces what's in them
The Grand Palace in Paris is not only cultural monument, able to tell about the architecture of those difficult times. Now its premises are occupied by two most interesting museums that tell about the capital and the country in all colors.
On one side of the building is the Museum of Inventions and Innovative Findings, on the other side is an art gallery. Both there and there are constantly held original exhibitions on various topics.
The south of the building will be to the taste of our compatriots: the Russian-language branch of the Sorbonne with its own history of formation is located there. The university also welcomes tourists, so the grand pale is always full of people.
What is the Grand Palace in Paris
The Grand Palais in Paris owes its appearance to the World Exhibition held in 1990, dedicated to the great meeting of the new twentieth century, full of possible discoveries and innovative solutions.
Expert opinion
Knyazeva Victoria
Guide to Paris and France
Ask an expertA huge number of architects fought for the right to build it, but only three, recognized as the best of the best, won. The future building was divided into zones, entrusting each of the architects in part. Thanks to this decision, the project turned out to be harmonious, but at the same time original and interesting.
Since then, almost nothing has changed - the Grand Palais is considered the largest exhibition hall in the world.
Exhibitions at the Grand Palais in Paris
Here you can see a huge number of interesting presentations related to history, science and arts, as well as fashion, cars and even animals. It is the Grand Palace in Paris that serves as the venue for the annual Chanel fashion show.
Picasso Museum
Grand Palace opening hours
To visit the palaces of Paris at the right time, you need to know when they are open. No tourist wants to stand in front of a closed door or get into rush hour, especially if his time is limited.
You can visit the attraction from Wednesday to Friday, from 9 am to 10 pm. But keep in mind: the Grand and Petit Palace in Paris work only on local time.
Sometimes this schedule changes. This usually happens during special exhibitions. In this case, the opening hours should be in individually check with the organizer.
Grand Palace in Paris official website
To find out how the palaces of Paris work and understand what exhibitions are being held in it in the near future, just visit the official website of the building (www.grandpalais.fr).
It tells how to find a building without going around all of Paris, what is planned in the near future and how much it costs to visit a particular exhibition.
Petit Palace Museum of Paris
The Grand and Petit Palaces in Paris were built almost simultaneously, so the small counterpart of the main building also has its own rich history. It is worth visiting it just for the sake of its beautiful design - the facade of the building looks original and unusual.
Catacombs of Paris
Like any other building, the Petit Palais is also rich in interesting expositions. Here you can find the whole history of art.
Petit Palace in Paris exposition
Now there are no permanent exhibitions there, as in the big one, but there is still something to see in Petit Pal. It is rich in fashion and paintings written by great painters in different times.
The Grand Palais in France (Grand Palais) is an absolutely amazing imagination, a majestic architectural creation, made in the Beaux-Arts style. The Grand Palace is comfortably located near the Champs Elysees. It was built in 1897, in Paris, especially for the World Exhibition, which was held in France in 1900 from April to November. And since then the Grand Palace has been known and […]
Grand Palace in France ( Grand Palais) is an absolutely amazing imagination, a majestic architectural creation, made in the Beaux-Arts style. The Grand Palace is conveniently located near champs elysees.
It was built in 1897, in Paris, specifically for the world exhibition, which took place in France in 1900 from April to November. And since then Grand Palace known and revered as the largest exhibition and cultural center of the French state.
An interesting fact is that the world-famous Eiffel Tower was also built for the World Exhibition, which was held in 1889. Above the two entrances of the Grand Palace are copper quadrigas, made by the magnificent Georges Resipon. From the side of the Seine there is a statue of "L'Harmonie triomphant de la Discorde", which means "Harmony triumphs over discord", and from the side of the Champs Elysees one can see the statue "L'Immortalité devançant le Temps", translated from French, this expression means "Immortality is ahead of time itself." The western wing of the Grand Palace is occupied by the Museum of Inventions and Discoveries, and the Art Gallery is located in the northern wing.
In a buiding Grand Palace interesting exhibitions and events are held. So, from the end of 2010 to January 2011, there was an art exhibition Claude Monet. By the way, in order to be able to get to this magnificent exhibition, one had to stand in a two-hour queue.
Grand Palace (fr. Grand Palais)
1 Avenue General Eisenhower, 75008 Paris, France
grandpalais.frTake the metro to the station Champs-Élysées – Clemenceau
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