Paris1972-Versailles2003

As usual lately, found me new older and a couple newer pictures in my cd rom vault that should be in my blog, This is a jewel of my eternal Paris. A wonderful monument that needs to be seen more by all, This is a huge building and sometimes on the spot that it is it goes unnotice somehow. In addition to the wonderful architecture it hosts a variety of events second to none in Paris. I will try to give new text and links for a bit more in depth look at the Grand Palais de Paris. It is located on the edge of the Champs-Elysées, facing the Petit Palais, (see post) which is separated by the Avenue Winston Churchill in the 8éme arrondissement or district of Paris. Therefore, here is my take on the Grand Palais of Paris !!! Hope you enjoy the post as I

The Grand Palais is located on the edge of the Champs-Elysées, facing the Petit Palais, which is separated by the Avenue Winston Churchill in the 8éme arrondissement or district of Paris. The Grand Palais des Beaux-Arts was built  from 1897, for the Universal exhibition scheduled from April 15 to November 12, 1900, instead of the vast but uncomfortable Palais de l’Industrie of 1855. It was a monument consecrated by the French Republic to the glory of French art. As the pediment of the West Wing (Palais d’Antin) indicates, its original vocation is to welcome the major official artistic events of the capital. The ceremony was held on May 1, 1900 for the grand opening. The Grand Palais is served nearby by the Metro lines 1 and 13  at the Champs-Elysées-Clemenceau station, and Metro lines 1 and 9 at the Franklin D. Roosevelt Station, as well as the RATP  bus lines 42 and  73

The main building, with a length of nearly 240 meters, consists of an imposing space surmounted by a large canopy. The slightly lowered cradle vault of the North and South Naves and the transverse nave (paddock), the dome on pendants weigh about 8 500 tons of steel, iron and glass. The total weight of metal used reaches 9 057 tons. The summit of this set culminates at an altitude of 45 meters. The colonnade of Deglane, inspired by the one in the Louvre, but without the grace, conceals cautiously the splendid innovation of the metal structure. The Grand Palais is, on its own, a summary of the tastes of the Belle Epoque, but at the same time marks the end of a certain conception of architecture where the masterpiece, both an artist and a technician, occupies a prominent role.  The communication between the large nave and the other parts of the palace (Salon d’honneur, central wing and  Palais dAntin) is done by a wide iron staircase of classic inspiration tinted with Art nouveau.

The sculptures the copper Quadrigas crown the two entrances and their pediment, to the new avenue. These allegorical works, imposing on the passerbys at an altitude of 40 meters, represent,  on the side of the Champs-Elysées,  Immortality ahead of time and on the side of the Seine river  the triumphant harmony of discord.  The mosaics inside, the pavements of the elliptical hall are mosaic of ceramic sandstone. There is a large floral motif in a central symmetry, consisting of tesserae with poorly supported colors (beige, brown and green), but detaching well on a white background. The outer friezes, located under the Peristyle de Deglane (facade on Avenue Winston Churchill ), consist of a long band with brightly enhanced gold colors using the traditional mosaic technique.

The game of the tesserae is animated by very regular opuses and underlined by marked contours as well as subtle gradients. It includes representations of the great civilizations of history as perceived at the end of the 19C, including Egypt, Mesopotamia, and the Rome of Augustus to the Greece of the century of Pericles, the Italian and French Renaissance in the Middle Ages, Europe Industrious to that of the classical and Baroque arts. The more distant civilizations are not forgotten, glorifying in passing the period then at its apogee of the great colonizing nations in the Mediterranean and sub-Saharan Africa, the East and the Indian subcontinent, Southeast Asia and Indochina With the Khmers and temples of Angkor, the Cochinchina and the Vietnamese landscapes around the city of Hue, the Far East with representations of mysterious China and Japan , and  evocations of the two Americas.

The Grand Palais focuses its activities on culture, major temporary exhibitions, Some of the events here over the years are the Exhibition of Decorative Arts of 1925 , The International Exhibition of Arts and Techniques of 1937 in the created Palais de la Découverte which occupies the western half back of the Grand Palais. i.e. 25,000 m2, next to it is the  jardin de la vallée Suisse or garden of the Swiss valley located Place du Cana, From 1947, the building loses its function as a palace of fine Arts, for which it was built.  Several events are held on the artistic side such as French and independent artists, painting and sculptures etc. etc. from the years 1960 the technical shows are done here such as automobiles, agricultural and horticultural machines, etc. etc. Commercial events such as living and decorations, etc. and various makes such stamps, concerts etc. etc. All too numerous to mention in a simple blog post. During the 20C, the Grand Palais is socmetimes a witness of the tragedies of history, sometimes an object of unexpected uses. At the beginning of  WWI, the Grand Palais was used as barracks for colonial troops preparing to go to the front. It quickly became a makeshift hospital for the wounded in the Navy who could not find a place in the crowded hospitals of the capital.  During , WWII and the Nazi occupation, the palace was commandeered by the Nazis to house military vehicles there. In August 1944, the nave was bombarded and a fire was declared, without major onsequences, in part of the building; the firefighters are however hampered in their work by rescuing animals from a circus that has elected home under the large canopy. They must also protect the works sent for an exhibition by working artists or prisoners. Also, the Motor Show was also held here until 1961, as was the Agricultural and Horticultural Machinery Show, the International Boat Show and the International Air Locomotion Exhibition from 1909 to 1952. In the 1970s, many trade fairs were also organized there: among them, the Salon du Livre (book fairs) from 1981 to 1991, the Paris Fair, the International Contemporary Art Fair and the Salon des Arts Ménagers. In 1964, part of the north wing of the Grand Palais, at the request of André Malraux then Minister of Cultural Affairs, became a National Gallery destined to receive large temporary exhibitions. Presented in 1966, a retrospective of the painter Pablo Picasso and an important presentation of African art.  Numerous exhibitions of classical painters, impressionistic (Renoir), and modern (Zao Wou-Ki, Prassinos, Mušič, Manesser) are organized thereafter. and other uses followed of diverse splendor and magnitude. And this has continue today. Since 2009, hives have been installed on the roof of the Grand Palais to promote biodiversity and make the life of bees in urban areas known.

In order to carry out a larger-scale renovation before 2024, the date on which the fencing events of the 2024 Summer Olympics are to take place. This allows, a restoration, to reorganize and to increase its reception capacities, with the nave accommodating 11,000 people compared to 5,600 currently, and the 3,700 m2 of balconies which would be accessible again, as well as redefining the structure’s missions, in conjunction with the Palais de la Découverte or Palace of Discovery by rue des Palais on two levels. A terrace must be created for the public and accommodate the astronomy activities of the Palais de la Découverte. The galleries must gain clarity by installing glass ceilings and increase from the current 3,000 m2 to 3,900 m2 , During the period of the works, a temporary structure is built on the Champ-de-Mars (Place Joffre 7éme) to accommodate major events, this structure should also be used for the Olympic Games. This Grand Palais Éphémère or Ephemeral Grand Palais, was inaugurated in 2021, and close by the Fall 2024 after the re opening of the Grand Palais.

Update on the Grand Palais:  The Grand Palais renovation works are not entirely completed, but the first events are already planned in the historic building before the end of 2024. The Grand Palais thus regains its place in Parisian cultural news . Salon, fashion scrolls, exhibition: this fall 2024, visitors are expected under this restored canopy. The Grand Palais Ephemère must have disappeared on November 30, according to Le Parisien newspaper of Paris. , The city hall of Paris, has reintated that it remains faithful to its original decision, the Champ-de-Mars will soon regain its garden and its perspective on the école militaire. The Grand Palais fully reopened its doors on June 6, 2025, following four years of major renovation work.

The Official Grand Palais of Paris: https://www.grandpalais.fr/en

The Paris tourist office on the Grand Palais: https://parisjetaime.com/eng/culture/grand-palais-p3503

The Paris 2024 Olympic organisation on the Grand Palais : https://www.paris2024.org/fr/site/grand-palais/

There you go folks, another grand piece of architecture and history in my eternal Paris. Again, this is a must to visit when done again! Again, hope you enjoy this post on the Grand Palais of Paris !!!  as I

And remember, happy travels, good health,and many cheers to all !!!