Grand Palais, Paris

Grand Palais

Address: 3 Avenue du General Eisenhower, Paris
Arrondissement: 8th
 
Hours: Every day, Tuesdays aside, from 10:00am to 8:00pm and Wednesday until 10:00pm
Tickets: 7.62EUR with reservation and 8.69EUR without, reduced rates also available

WWW: Grand Palais 
Phone: 33(0)1 44 13 17 17
Email: Fabien.escalona@rmn.fr

About the Grand Palais

In the late 19th century much of Paris got a needed facelift. Thousands of people would be coming into the city in 1900 for the World’s Fair and the citizens and government wanted to ensure that their guests saw the most beautiful Paris possible.

Several new structures went up around the city under the watchful eye of infamous Parisian architect Charlest Girault; including the Grand Palais, its neighbor Petit Palais and the Pont Alexandre III, one of the most exquisite bridges in the world.

The Grand Palais is a very recognizable point in Paris because of its large frame and stunning domed roof made completely of glass. It is a perfect combination of a classic stone exterior combined with art nouveau ironwork, popular to the era it was built and glass. Having said that, it is certainly the largest iron and glass structure on the planet. It is filled with 9,400 tons of steel, 5,000 square meters of iron/zinc roofing and a stone exterior complete with mosaics and sculpture.

In 1993 the Grand Palais needed a facelift of its own after a large glass ceiling tile fell down the ground. It was closed down until the new millennium when a segment reopened in 2004 and the rest in 2007. Everything was made new again including the framework, the glass roof and the exterior sculptures and mosaics.

The Grand Palais is still used today in much the same manner that it was intended for when it was constructed. There is a main gallery, Galeries National du Palais, that displays contemporary art although it still plays host to a number of events including fashion shows by Parisian designers like Dior, Chanel and Yves Saint Lauren to extensive antique shows. The other two halls are the Palais de la Decouverte, which doubles as a science museum and Nef du grand Palais, which plays host to grand events in the city.

Getting to Grand Palais

You can find Grand Palais via two stations; Champs Elysees-Clemenceau which lies on Metro lines 1 and 13 and whose access tunnels are beneath the infamous Avenue des Champs Elysees, or Franklin D Roosevelt which coincides with Metro lines 1 and 9 and is named after the American president who was a close French ally in World War I.

Grand Palais Hotels  

Here is a short guide to hotels near Grand Palais.

Located at 5 rue Ponthieu, the Hotel Elysee Park is a three star stay that has access to all of the favorite Parisian locations along the infamous Champs Elysees, including the extensive shopping area. This hotel is relatively new, built in the 1980s, and is situatioed in the elusive Golden Triangle district yet is situated in a very quiet setting for being in the heart of Paris. The Franklin Roosevelt Metro line is also just around the corner. Rates start at 77EUR for breakfast and a twin sole use room.

Located at 3 rue de Ponthieu, the three star Hotel Mathis Elysees Matignon is just as elegant as its name might suggest. It features 23 elegant rooms and a cozy atmosphere, just the place to rest ones weary head after a long day in its busy surrounding district. It also features amenities that cater to guests with a leisure stay in mind as well as ones with a task at hand. A superior rooms rates starts at 111EUR.

Located at 12 rue Marignan, the four star Hotel Marignan Champs-Elysees is a near perfect spot to stay in the city. It is situated just off of the Champs Elysees and Avenue Montaigne, in the heart of Paris. Formerly a privately owned Art Deco mansion, the rooms were redesigned by Christine G Rondeau and all 73 are uniquely decorated. The hotel is also home to a favorite restaurant in the area, Spoon Food and Wine. Rates for a twin sole use start at 168EUR per night.

Photo courtesy of Bac Maeva.