Grand Palais

One of the iconic monuments of Paris, the Grand Palais serves as a major cultural venue, hosting prominent events in the heart of the city.

Site History

Built for the 1900 Exposition Universelle, the Grand Palais has become one of Paris’s iconic monuments. The whole building was constructed utilizing stone, steel and glass; the framework required 8,500 tons of steel—more than the amount used to build the Eiffel Tower. The Grand Palais was one of the first buildings to utilize steel over such a large area, and it ushered in the modern era of innovative construction materials and techniques. The architects selected 40 contemporary artists to produce statues, ceramic and mosaic friezes, and ornaments and other final embellishments, including gilded and bronze works.

In March 2021, after a hectic century of activity, the Grand Palais closed its doors to undergo its most extensive restoration ever. The work will continue until the 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games, when the nave and surrounding galleries will host the fencing and taekwondo competitions. Further work will continue through 2025, in particular for the Palais de la découverte.

About the Project

The gilding of the rotunda of the Palais de la découverte and certain decorative elements of the Salon d’Honneur of the nave will be restored with gold leaf to regain their former majesty. In the rotunda, this includes the pillars featuring allegorical sculptures, the bronze railings of the balconies, and the gilded trophies repeating motifs of flowers and plants. In the nave, the gold leaf restoration will address elements of the railing of the staircase of the Salon d’Honneur and the letters “RF” (République Française).

A masterpiece of metallurgy, the Grand Palais is also an architecture of light and radiance. The Grand Palais restoration campaign is an opportunity to rediscover gilding and bronzes that have been damaged by the passage of time. Leveraging the know-how and skills of prestigious restoration workshops, this project aims to restore radiance to this emblematic monument. It will serve to highlight the artistry and innovation of France’s finest artisans, much as it did when the palace was first inaugurated for the 1900 World’s Fair.

The Grand Palais Today

The current restoration project is a showcase for skilled artisans and the continuation of traditional craftsmanship, also known as patrimoine vivant, or living heritage, transmitted from one generation to the next. Once fully restored, the complex will regain a clarity of layout and purpose. A major cultural venue for prominent national and international events in the heart of Paris, the Grand Palais will continue to host some of the most prestigious events in the capital, from major exhibitions and sporting events to craft fairs and more.