Petit Palais, Paris

Petit Palais

Address: Avenue Winston Churchill
Arrondissement: 8th
 
Hours:
Tickets: Free for all owned exhibits; a small fee that varies for temporary exhibits

Phone: 01 53 43 40 00

About the Petit Palais

In the late 19th century much of Paris got a makeover. Thousands of people would be flooding into the city in 1900 for the World’s Fair and the citizens and government wanted to ensure that they 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 Petit Palais, its larger neighbor Grand Palais and the Pont Alexandre III, one of the most exquisite bridges in the world.

The Petit Palais was only meant to stand through the World Expo, however the people of Paris couldn’t bear to see the eclectic building come down and it is easy to see why. The iconic Beaux Arts style building features ionic columns in a classic exterior, however the twist comes in with the mixture of Great and Roman forms and overhaul of ornamentation on the face, which makes quite the combo!

And, just like the Grand Palais across the way, the Petit Palais was renovated and reopened in the new millennium, 2005 to be exact. It functions as the Musee des Beaux Arts, which translates to the Museum of Fine Arts, and it is often compared to the Louvre, only on a smaller scale. The works inside span many centuries, from antiquity to today, and are nearly all from a donation made by Frenchman Auguste Dutuit, who left the Petit Palais enough money to build its extensive collection. The museum owns and holds nearly 12,000 of its prints, tapestries, sculpture, rare objects and manuscripts. It also has an infamous collection of works by French artists such as Monet, Renoir, Courbet and Delacroix.

Unlike most museums, the Petit Palais is not only free but welcomes children! There are child friendly activities planned during guided tours, however, you can also choose to walk the museum alone, sans tour guide.

Getting to Petit Palais

You can find Grand Palais via two stations; Champs Elysees-Clemenceau Metro and Franklin D. Roosevelt Metro. Champs Elysees Clemenceau lies on Metro lines 1 and 13 and its platform beneath the infamous Avenue des Champs Elysees. The Franklin D Roosevelt metro station coincides with Metro lines 1 and 9 and is named after the American president who was a close French ally in World War I.

Petit Palais Hotels 

Here is a short guide to hotels near Petit Palais.

Located at 38 rue du Faubourg Saint Honore, the four star Hotel de Castiglione rests in the heart of its district close by the Petit Palais, Grand Palais, Louvre Museum, Paris Opera and Champs Elysees. Considered one of the most prestigious hotels in Paris, the hotel features 121 comfortable rooms and, although it was built in the 1930s, is renovated and redecorated in fresh styles on a regular basis. Rates start at 91EUR for breakfast and a single room.

Located at 6 rue du Colisee, the Best Western Le Colisee is a three star stay that boasts a relatively low price for its esteemed setting. Situated in the epicenter of the fashion, art, entertainment and restaurant worlds, the hotel is also near many attractions too; including the Petit and Grand Palais’, the Louvre and Orangerie. Rates start at 78EUR for a single room.

Located at 37 rue Francois, the four star Claridge Belle rests in the heart of the city, Paris world renown first arrondissement. It is close by many, many entertainment, shopping and culture sights, including the Petit Palais. The top notch Claridge Belle allows guests to feel relaxed and comfortable, although there is much to-do just beyond the hotel walls. Rates start at 163EUR with breakfast and twin sole room usage.