- Join for free
- Sign In
Latest Paris hotel reviews
Helpfulness
The Grand Palais (Large Palace) and the Petit Palais (Small Palace) were both built for the Universal Exhibition of 1900, along with the nearby Alexandre III Bridge across the Seine.
The most unusual feature of the Grand Palais is its roof, which is a huge glass and steel dome – the largest such structure in the world, evidently, since the Crystal Palace in London burned down in 1936.
In the second half of the twentieth century the Grand Palais made a rather dismal and neglected impression, and there were structural problems caused partly by the falling level of the ground water.
In 1993 a rivet from the iron framework of the glass ceiling fell down during an exhibition. The building was closed for ten years after that, and has been elaborately restored.
One wing of the building houses a popular science museum (Palais de la Découverte) and the main part of the building is now again being used for temporary exhibitions, typically lasting four to five months.
Next review from January 2012: Petit Palais
Updated Jan 20, 2012
Address: Avenue Winston Churchill, 75008 Paris
Phone: 01 44 13 17 30
Website: http://www.grandpalais.fr/visite/en/
Helpfulness
"Les Champs Elisées" is a very long avenue, meaning a very long walk. That's why, those two palaces standing between the avenue and the river are a very strong invitation to stop.
Considering that they usually have interesting exhibitions, the invitation is reinforced. And looking at the lawn in the shades...
Updated Sep 27, 2011
Address: 3, Avenue du Général-Eisenhower, 75008, Paris
Helpfulness
Le Grand Palais was built for the 1900 Universal Exposition. It was intended to be torn down like the Eiffel Tower; thankfully, both were spared. It's Beaux Arts (beautiful arts) architecture is named for the École des Beaux-Arts, located in the 6th arrondissement (St-Germain-des-Prés).
My son, Ian, was blown away by the fact that he could stand in one spot (Jardin des Tuileries) and see several famed monuments: Louvre, Eiffel Tower, Arc de Triomphe, Obelisque at Place de la Concorde, and the Grand Palais!
Photos: April 2010 & February 2006
Updated Jun 5, 2011
Address: 3, Avenue du Général-Eisenhower, 75008, Paris
Website: http://www.grandpalais.fr/visite/en/
Helpfulness
Built in 1900 as an exhibition hall for the Universal Exhibition, le Grand Palais is an architectural masterpiece combining Neoclassical and Art Nouveau styles. It stands opposite its smaller sister palace, le Petit Palais, and both continue to serve as exhibition halls to the present day. After an extensive restoration project that lasted years, le Grand Palais finally reopened again in 2005. It is divided into three sections: two exhibition halls, and a permanent science and technology museum called Palais de la Découverte and is located in the rear of the building. Most of the high profile exhibitions that tour the world are hosted at le Grand Palais.
Updated Dec 7, 2010
Address: Avenue Winston Churchill - Paris 8e
Helpfulness
The Grand Palais (Great Palace) is a large museum complex located at the Champs-Elysees. Construction of the Grand Palais began in 1897 as part of the preparation works for the Universal Exposition of 1900, which also included the creation of the adjacent Petit Palais and Pont Alexandre III.
Open: 10 a.m.-8 p.m.
Late night opening: Wednesday 10 p.m.
Closed: Tuesday, 01/01, 01/05, 25/12
Updated Oct 31, 2010
Address: 3, Avenue du Général-Eisenhower, 75008, Paris
Phone: 01 44 13 17 17
Website: http://www.grandpalais.fr/visite/en/
Helpfulness
In order to compensate for the absence of a large number of paintings among with a number of highlights during the renovation works, the Musée d'Orsay set up a quite important retrospective Claude Monet 1840 - 1926 at the Grand Palais from 22/09/2010 till 24/01/2011.
There are many masterpieces (nearly 170) from the Musée d'Orsay and museums all over the world. Last retrospective Monet dates from 1980 so that one can imagine that there will be crowds.
Open: Friday - Monday 9 - 22 h; Wednesday 10 - 22 h; Thursday 10 - 20 h.
Closed: Tuesday and 25/12.
Price: 12 € - Reduced: 8€. Tickets can be bought online at www.grandpalais.fr
Updated Oct 29, 2010
Address: 3, Avenue du Général-Eisenhower, 75008, Paris
Website: www.grandpalais.fr
Helpfulness
The Grand Palace with is curved glass roof, is unmistakable in recognition when approached from either the Seine or the Champs-Elysees. Together with the Petit Palais, it does form an attractive duo on the other side of avenue Winston Churchill. Both these buildings were built for the World Fair of 1900 and they were never intended as permanent additions to the city. We can be so lucky that they were not demolished afterwards, but kept as part of the cities heritage.
Tel 01-42-65-12-73
Updated Nov 6, 2008
Address: 3, Avenue du Général-Eisenhower, 75008, Paris
Helpfulness
The Grand Palais close to Pont Alexandre, has a huge glass roof and beautiful decorations. It is an imposing structure and one of the most beautiful ones in Paris. It hosts exhibitions, trade fairs, and the Palais de la Découverte where one can carry out experiments on basic laws of maths, astronomy, physics and chemistry. This palais together with the petit palais was built at the same time for the world fair of 1900. It is a combination of classical and modern architecture. In front of the building are bronze statues of flying horses.
Written Sep 30, 2008
Address: 3, Avenue du Général-Eisenhower, 75008, Paris
Helpfulness
This building was built for Paris exhibition of 1900 at the same time as Petit Palais and Pont Alexander III. It is on of the largest glass exhibition hall in the Paris. In the basement of the building there is police station which helps protect picture exhibition on show. The building was closed for 12 years for extensive restoration work after one of the glass ceiling panels fell in 1993. It reopened on Saturday 24 September 2005.
Written Jan 18, 2008
Address: 3, Avenue du Général-Eisenhower, 75008, Paris
Helpfulness
This was built for the Exposition Universelle of 1900, designed by Chas. Girault. It has a long facade. As with the Petit Palais across the street, the facade and central area are studded with statuary, everything is in Neo-Classical style. Part of the building has never been used (and will open in 2007?). Since 1937 its western portion has housed the Palais de la Decouverte which contains a planetarium and explanations and exhibits about scientific discoveries. We have never used it for our children. I understand that it is almost entirely in French. We have been very successful with the Cite des Sciences et de l'Industrie in La Villette which is far off but full of hands-on fun. The other part of the Palais holds temporary blockbuster type art exhibits. We have been to several. No photography is allowed and large expensive catalogs are sold (and can be bought subsequently in bookstores at home). The Parisians are very negative about easy access to the Arts by foreigners. We take up cherished visiting space. The tickets for exhibits are by limited hour (and time of visit) at the French version of a Ticketron, They will not sell them elsewhere. Not at the Palais or on the internet or by telephone, only in person at the vendor. It may be worth the trouble (maybe this will change). For these exhibits you enter through the Northeast wing (see picture).
Updated Jan 11, 2008
Address: 3, Avenue du Général-Eisenhower, 75008, Paris
Sponsored Links
Four Seasons George V Paris Paris
5 Reviews and 551 Opinions The Four Seasons George V is truly one of the world's great hotels. I really, really love to stay...
Park Hyatt Paris-Vendome Paris
2 Reviews and 431 Opinions I recently stayed at the Park Hyatt Paris based on all the high acclaims and reviews I have heard...
Grand Hotel Francais Paris
6 Reviews and 741 Opinions I spent a week in Paris to celebrate our first Wedding Anniversary. Through booking.com, we booked...
3, Avenue du Général-Eisenhower, 75008, Paris
Grand Palais tips and photos posted by real travelers and Paris locals.
Write a ReviewThis was built for the Exposition Universelle of 1900, designed by Chas. Girault. It has a long facade. As with the Petit Palais across the street, the facade...
3,077 members live in Paris
Q: Hi! We r planning to go Paris from London on 16th June Saturday by eurostar. We r planning to stay at L'Elysee Val D'Europe hotel...
A: When you get your Eurostar tickets, ask if you can go on to Chessy-Marne-la-Vallee instead of getting out at Gare du Nord. I believe the Eurostar is part of the TGV...
Read 3 Replies
1
I am OBSESSED with Paris - I don't know why, maybe it's because most of my ancestry is French (excepting my Oglala Sioux heritage) - but I'm always trying to figure out a way to get back! ~~~ I'M...
2
CONGRATS TO BEATCHICK FOR BECOMING THE #1 PARIS PAGE -- be sure to check it out! She's the best:). USERS GUIDE . I realize this has become what some call a "monster page" -- so here's a bit of a...
3
Three of the best museums in the world.
The nearness of Paris with Brussels (1.20 h by the Thalys train) the community of language, the frequent professional or cultural visits, the follow-up of the French current events by newspapers or......
4
March 2010: Decided to stopover for two days in Paris before travelling onwards to Newcastle Upon Tyne, UK. My stay at the famous Hotel de l'Abbaye St. Germain was meh. Yet I loved my visit as I got...
5
The many facets of Paris (two in particular)
Recently I counted through and was surprised to discover that not even ten percent of my Paris tips are about operas or opera houses. Another thirteen percent are about cycling. That leaves...
Build your own Paris page
see all Paris member meetings
Sponsored Links
