Although it was designed by architects Henri Deglane, Louis-Albert Louvet, and Albert Thomas to be merely a temporary building at the World Exhibition held in Paris in 1900, the emblematic Grand Palais is today one of the city’s most timeless monuments. Since its inception, it has been devoted to the history of the arts and the glory of industry, a combination reflected in its architecture, which masterfully combines the style of the Beaux-Arts with modern materials such as glass and steel.
NOUVEAU GRAND PALAIS
RESTORATION OF A UNIQUE MONUMENT TO MEET THE CONTEMPORARY NEEDS
It has since become the international showcase of the French cultural scene by hosting such famous exhibitions and international events as the International Contemporary Art Fair (FIAC) and Paris Fashion Week.
The extensive project of restoration and development decided upon by the French State has the aim of recreating the beauty of an architectural work that has suffered the ravages of time and of bringing out the unity of its composition, the generosity of its spaces, the fluidity of its circulations, and the abundance of its natural light. Another criterion of the project is to adapt the building to the requirements of the international spotlight when France hosts the Olympic Games in 2024.
The Grand Palais is unlike any other monument. Its history makes it a place able to undergo transformation and adaptation – qualities that must be reconciled with the restoration project.
